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Volvo Penta AQ151B Distributor advice Please

R

rzylonely

New member
Hello
i am New to the boating world/forums. I have a 1980's? Sangster boat with a AQ 151B volvo engine..with NO distributor . I am looking for a swap in distributor ? Or advice on a modern replacement distributor ? what do I need to look for ? Model year of engine/vehicle ect ? any and all advice would be greatfully appreciated .
Thanks you
Barry
 
You must use the Marine ignition distributor for this engine and application.
Over the years, I've seen only a few after-market units for the AQ series OHC 4.


Here's an OEM listed on e-Bay. I don't see these very often..... you'd better grab it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Distri...562503?hash=item1efe5d8c47:g:7coAAOSwJRleOEvN


Unfortunately, I believe that it is equipped with the Pertronix electronic Hall Effect triggering unit.
It is still better than the old contact points.


It will be imperative that the crankshaft, counter shaft and camshaft timing belt be indexed correctly before you insert the distributor.
This aligns (indexes) the counter-shaft's "drive" gear with the distributor's "driven" gear, allowing the hold-down bolt "slot" to give you the correct distributor adjustment range for adjusting the ignition timing.

When you set this up, check/set not only the BASE advance, but also increase RPM and look to see what the progressive and total advance are doing.
See your OEM ignition timing specs for this info.


.
 
Good day Rick
thanks for the link . I'm in the stage of restoring this ole classic boat . Costs are very important too . Do you know of any car conversions which maybe lower costs?
Thank You Barry
 
rzylonely said:
Good day Rick
thanks for the link . I'm in the stage of restoring this ole classic boat . Costs are very important too . Do you know of any car conversions which maybe lower costs?
Thank You Barry
Click to expand...

When it comes to boat ignition/distributors, unfortunately there isn't really any automotive corners to cut like with many other parts of the engine. The reason, is because they have to have the correct venting in addition to being SEALED effectively with spark prevention measures incorporated.

In a boat, the engine is blocked off in an enclosed area with very little actual venting going on. Thus, fuel vapors tend to unknowingly build up, even without fuel leaks many times, and this creates the perfect recipe for the distributor to ignite those fumes if it is not properly sealed and is missing USCG approved spark prevention measures incorporated into the distributor. Many people will tell you they've ran automotive distributors and "been fine", but that just means they were extremely lucky... I have seen 5 boats, just in the past 2yrs, completely blow up the aft section of their boats (kinda like in the movies, but not quite as dramatic of fashion) two from running automotive starters and the other 3 from running automotive distributors... So, the risk is very real unfortunately.

The other major problem - if the USCG or anyone else boosts your boat for inspection, you're looking at a huge fine and risking farrrr more money lost/wasted in the long run, rather than just having bought the marinized version.

The one way to lower costs, is to find a good marine core and Frankenstein one together by using automotive internals. That, I have seen done numerous times, and allows from having to pay the really high price of a new marine unit in full. But, that's just an option, as it's always easier in the long run to buy the marine version new and be done with it, because Frankenstein'ing one together traine a good bit of searching and running around usually and the frustration is a little much for some people, hehe.
 
rzylonely said:
Good day Rick
thanks for the link . I'm in the stage of restoring this ole classic boat . Costs are very important too . Do you know of any car conversions which maybe lower costs?
Thank You Barry
Click to expand...
As per my first sentence in post #2, you need to use the Marine ignition distributor.
Reason: it will be "ignition source protected" and it will offer the correct spark advance curve for the Marine engine.


Walleye4Days said:
When it comes to boat ignition/distributors, unfortunately there isn't really any automotive corners to cut like with many other parts of the engine. The reason, is because they have to have the correct venting in addition to being SEALED effectively with spark prevention measures incorporated.
Not to forget the importance of the correct ignition advance curve for the Marine engine.
The Automotive advance curve would be incorrect and may damage the Marine engine!

In a boat, the engine is blocked off in an enclosed area with very little actual venting going on. Thus, fuel vapors tend to unknowingly build up, even without fuel leaks many times, and this creates the perfect recipe for the distributor to ignite those fumes if it is not properly sealed and is missing USCG approved spark prevention measures incorporated into the distributor. Many people will tell you they've ran automotive distributors and "been fine", but that just means they were extremely lucky... I have seen 5 boats, just in the past 2yrs, completely blow up the aft section of their boats (kinda like in the movies, but not quite as dramatic of fashion) two from running automotive starters and the other 3 from running automotive distributors... So, the risk is very real unfortunately.
Take heed of the above!


The other major problem - if the USCG or anyone else boards your boat for inspection, you're looking at a huge fine and risking farrrr more money lost/wasted in the long run, rather than just having bought the marinized version.
Take heed again.

Click to expand...
 
Yikes ....You have sacred the Sh%t out of this ole country boy with this idea of blowing up my classic . How aboooot wrapping DUCT TAPE on the distributor ? :cool: ...Thank you for your advice and it is well noted . I'm a brave man indeed . BUTT Why would fear and common sense hold a farm boy back ? I'm still in need of Car swap out parts ..DAM next thing you will tell me , is there a PANDEMIC .Happy Boating .
 
rzylonely said:
Yikes ....You have sacred the Sh%t out of this ole country boy with this idea of blowing up my classic . How aboooot wrapping DUCT TAPE on the distributor ? :cool: ...Thank you for your advice and it is well noted . I'm a brave man indeed . BUTT Why would fear and common sense hold a farm boy back ? I'm still in need of Car swap out parts ..DAM next thing you will tell me , is there a PANDEMIC .Happy Boating .
Click to expand...

Again, the Automotive distributor will NOT be ignition source protected.... nor will NOT offer the correct ignition advance.
An incorrect advance may damage your engine!

The choice is very simple:
Pay for the correct part now... or pay more later when you need to repair the engine.
 
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