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Rebuilt AQ130C head retourque and valves checkadjust

am_dew

am_dew

Advanced Contributor
"I have a Volvo factory rebuil

"I have a Volvo factory rebuilt AQ130C engine in my 1972 17' v-hull boat, which has about 200 hours on it now and is running beautifully. The V/P dealer who sold me and installed the engine never mentioned anything about retorquing the head as well as ever having to check/adjust the valves. I really hate to touch things since the engine is running so well, but I also am concerned about long life for the engine, so I will do so if necessary. Comments? Thanks!"
 
"The head should have been ret

"The head should have been retorqued just after overhauled, after the engine had been warmed-up and run for awhile. I'm not sure if it would be of much use to retorque it at this point, but you can always check at any time (if you wish) that the bolts are not undertorqued."
 
"Thanks El. The reason I aske

"Thanks El. The reason I asked is because on page 36 of the V/P Owner's Manual, it says to re-tighten the bolts after 20 hours running.

What about the valves? The V/P Owner's Manual says they should be checked every 50 hours (once a season for me)...is that really necessary?

And a related question...I would assume that if you remove the valve cover, that you would need to replace the valve cover gasket when re-installing the valve cover and you should not try and re-use the old one, correct?"
 
"Bob, you can never go wrong b

"Bob, you can never go wrong by following the Owner's Manual guidelines. Sometimes the maintenance intervals may look like a bit of overkill, as VP will obviously prefer to err on the side of caution. Most of the times you will find that the tappet clearances are OK, but if you neglect to check them and something is wrong, then who are you going to blame when your engine breaks down?

Regarding cover gaskets, they are usually cheap enough to replace them without blowing your budget, but I personally do re-use them if they look in good condition. Also, a thin layer of RTV silicone on top of the old gasket should get you off the hook if you forgot to get a new one."
 
"Thanks El. As always, your e

"Thanks El. As always, your excellent advice is always greatly appreciated!"
 
"One doesn't need to repla

"One doesn't need to replace the V/C gasket unless it was damaged in removal of the V/C, I can't remember hurting one. When I started out 29 years ago in a V/P only shop, retorqueing the 130/170 head was highly recommended followed by setting the valves at .020 and .022. I still follow this rule with my customers old pushrod engines. It doesn't take that long and it makes sure your block doesn't get a valley between the bore and water passage as these engines are prone to do with out the service."
 
"Thanks Doc. Sounds like I ha

"Thanks Doc. Sounds like I have a little job ahead of me.
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