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Transom Thickness for AQ series Drive installation

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douglcfl

Member
I am converting a Searay from Mercruiser to Volvo Penta. My transom is 2 1/2 " thick. Everything I've read says maximum thickness should be 2 1/4". How ctitical is that dimension and what issues might I have with the 2 1/2" thickness.Thanks in advance for any help.
 
My AQ transom is a full 3" thick.
IMAG0988.jpg
 
I've also converted several of these Mercs to AQ series Volvo Penta over the years.
On any of the AQ series drives, there is no inner transom plate that supports the rear of the engine.
This means that, within reason, there is a range of build up thickness of the core material that is acceptible.

Any issues will be near the upper area where the collar steering fork bushing ears are...... and down low where the shift cable sheath and Y-pipe exit the transom shield.
Any clearance can be gained by simply scalloping the area with a saws-all blade.
Do a dry fit and check all of these areas.

The six transom shield bolts are generally long enough to accommodate a 2-1/2" + thick transom core.

Be sure to replace all six carriage bolt "shank seals" (fat O-rings)....... as these are what actually seal all six bolts..... not the heads of the bolts that we commonly see doped up with sealant! :mad:
The six bolt bores must be lightly counter-sunk for the fat O-rings to compress into and squeeze onto the shanks. Without this counter-sink shape......... the O-rings will not squeeze down on the shanks correctly.



If you are installing a new transom core, be sure to "Dry Fit" all of your new core material pieces for a good fit.
This can take up to five/six dry fits.

Being with resin wet matting......... first core layer........ more resin wet matting....... second core layer....... more resin wet matting...... finished with roven material.
Be sure to clamp a straight edge across the transom during your first core layer installation.

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Thanks for the advice. Transom is original and is solid and I have seen some of the other threads about the o-rings for the carriage bolts including the one with the pics of the countersink. I have a pattern for the cutout and will be cutting it out in about two weeks and installing the transom shield. Sounds like there are no major issues with it.

Thanks again...
 
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