Volvo Penta 270 Good or bad?

[moby26]

Here are a few pictures of my 270 outdrive from the CV 18ss. The bellows was torn and the u-joint is rusted bad. I assume this should be replaced? I does move freely. Where do I get parts? Also If working on this unit what should I do? I never worked on one of these before so not sure how far to go. Does the transom bracket need to be removed for anything? Should I change the whole unit? It's paired with a currently dissabled ford 302.

Thanks,
carlos

[TomLund]

I don't think you have to remove the transome bracket are you local and if you are Jim (tug boat) has a guy that can go through it and let you know. i Aso believe its in the vendors list on the site...


TOM

[Hotwired]

Those drives are reported to be stout as all He!! but do not have power trim.  That being the biggest performance issue. If your transom is solid I say clean it up and have it looked over.  If it will go back together, run it.  If you transom is cheese cake like mine is, tear it all out and replace with a doner Mercruiser set up or even an newer Volvo Penta drive system.  You could very likely pick up a mid 70's Mercruiser 898 (GM) or 888 (ford) complete setup for $1500 or less and transplant the entire thing into the CV-18.  Just my $0.02 

[CVX Fever]

You could very likely pick up a mid 70's Mercruiser 898 (GM) or 888 (ford) complete setup for $1500 or less and transplant the entire thing into the CV-18.  Just my $0.02  
 

Ha! I'll sell you the 228 Mercrusier drive system out of my '79 CVX18 for a lot less than that this fall! Seriously though, looking at your other thread, sounds like your best off just fixing the drive system that's currently in the boat unless out an out performance is high on your list of priorties.

[moby26]

You guys think that u-joint can be cleaned up and reused? I don't see any greese fittings on it.

[Rich_V174SS]

You should be able to clean up the U-joints with a wire brush and some brake cleaner. If the cross bearings are rough, binding or have play in them you might be able to get replacement crosses, complete new bearing cups and retaining clips. You may have to get those aftermarket because I think Volvo only offers the entire yoke/shaft assembly as a replacement. The last time I've ordered crosses I think they were about $35-$50 each and you would need two of them. See the link below:

http://www.teleflexsierra.com/18-2104-U-Joint-Cross-Bearing/dm/store_id.373--view_id.489367

[moby26]

Well got them out and replaced with greaseable ones. Working on cleaning the rest of it up.

[moby26]

 I figure while I have it all apart I will change the gimble as well. I'm having a problem though removing the bell housing/gimble assembly.

When removing the engine I was unable to remove the bell housing due to 3 of the 6 bolts on the VP end  breaking off. I just managed to get them out and still cant figure out how to remove this thing. The bolts on the bell housing connecting it to the rest are difficult to reach with the shroud and other things in the way so I'd like to just pull it all out. I think it is a two piece assembly being held together by the rear ring the bolts go through lining up the engine but it won't move. I see a rubber seal behind the ring and assume this is how it is assembled and that it is just stuck?? That being said, after a few good whacks its not moving. What now?

[Rich_V174SS]

If you've got all the bolts out from around the drive side then it should just pull apart. There's a seal ring on both sides of the transom shield and they are sandwiched between the outer support ring and the inner flywheel housing, they're most likely just stuck in between. the two rings should be replaced when putting it back together.

[moby26]

Thanks Rich. I did get all the bolts out (6) and what a chore it was. Never thought I'd develope such a relationship with my dremmel. I'll get in there and start prying and see if I can pop the drive ring off first. I was yanking on the housing last night and nothing. I might try hitting the rear gimble assembly with Mr. sledge and a block of wood to see if that will break the seal.   

[Jason]

Some "PB Blaster" penetrating oil would probably help loosen things up.

[moby26]

Well, I must be doing something wrong or I'm dealing with some serious fusion. Spent today trying to get the bell housing and gimlbe assembly out. Soaked it last night with some PB and started prying this morning. That didn't work, in fact I began to bend the ring so I stoped. Yanked on the housing for awhile, nope! Then I pulled out the sledge and a 4x4. I pounded and pounded, still no luck. So then I got brave and built a T using a 6x6 and a 2x8. I hooked up the trailer and backed it up against the garage wall, put the T against the gimble and put her in reverse just enough to put pressure on it against the wall. I thought this would pop the seal using the pressure of the Dodge ram. Couldn't get it to pop. I stoped in fear of doing damage.

So I'm guessing the ring is fused to the gimble assembly?? There is nothing that I can see in or out holding this thing together. It was real dirty so I cleaned everything in fear of missing something. 6 bolts and they are all out.

The unit is in fine condition, minus being able to seperate. I didn't damage anything. I really wanted to get it apart to clean things, paint the housing and replace the 2 seals. Guess i can replace gimble bearing myself the way it is. Is that hard? At this point do I leave those seals alone or take drastic measures to seperate the units. It really bothers me, but I'm not sure how to get it apart.

[Jason]

Only other thing I can think of his heating it real hot with an acetylene torch. never Used a torch on alum though but your at a last resort anyway. If that don't go you may just need to replace the whole unit.....

Start looking for parts.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/2436999002.html

[OleRed]

I just took one of those drave assy's on the old cruiser I got, when I took those six bolts out, the ring fell off and so did the bell housing, then I removed the "Y"pipe and popped off the entire assy.  if it's the same as yours you can have it, it's in really good shape, but the gimbal bearing sounds a little it needs a lube job, or replaced.

[Jason]

That might work. Hopefully you can still salvage your bellhousing and drive shaft as it looks different then Red's SBC setup.


Found this. Maybe this helps.

[moby26]

Thanks Red, that's very generous of you. I'll send you a message once I get it off and see what im dealing with.

I'm gonna get back to it later today and see if anything changes. Just curious if anyone thinks I should leave it alone.   

[OleRed]

I'm not a Volvo guy, but I know they are a tough as nails kinda drive, but I been spoiled to the Mercruiser.  I do know this about them though,  the gimbal bearing is it's weakest muscle, when it goes bad, it spins in the housing and the rest of the story is to replace the transom assy .. about your question, if you can replace that bearing, put it back together and have fun, if you can't get it apart, good chance it won't leak.