OMC to Volvo

S

slo240cc

New Member
Feb 23, 2008
7
Atascadero, CA
Well I thought that I would try and get some feedback on this as if anyonw has done this let me know. I have a 1975 240CC with a Ford 351 and the OMC out drive. I have a Friend that is converting his boat to Diesel and is willing to sell me his Volvo Penta 280 O/D which also had a 351 Ford attached to it. Is this a good idea or should I spend my time and money on a compleatly new power plane. The onle reason that I am Thinking about this is the price and that I can still get new parts for the volvo and if I wanted I can get the duoprop lower unit for the outdrive.
Any advice would be great. Thanks
Jeff
 
You do know the hole in the transom will have to be filled and re-cut right? I've seen some conversions on smaller boats using big aluminum plates but I'm not so sure that it's the right way to go if you are going to put all the time, effort and money in the project. You will need the transom assembly and may have to move the engine a bit as well. The engine/flywheel cover/primary shaft housing/transom shield are all attached so the relationship between the engine and transom shield must be precise.

If all that doesn't send you running away and doing that kind of work is no big deal, go for it! The Volvo AQ drives are tanks. You can not kill them. I have a AQ200 from 1966 that is still going strong.



Frank
 
Hello from Croatia!
It is possible to change from omc to volvo if you have all the parts...
You will get some more space in the engine room cause volvo setup is a bit shorter, but I am not sure if it is cost efficient...
You will probably need to change cables, steering, work with transom hole or make and adapter for the volvo sterndrive (not recommended)...
I did this a couple of times, you think omc parts are hard to find in US, try Croatia!!!
If you have more questions or need any more info, just ask, I will try to help you!
Best regards, Goran!
 
Hi !
I've got a 1977 SRV240WE. This vessel has a OMC/Ford 351 motor with a
OMC outdrive. It is the "Stringer" setup. So called because the motor is
attached to the boat hull stringers. A lot of the pre 1979 Sea Rays used this
type of motor/outdrive setup. The main thrust of the motor/outdrive is
pushing against the hull stringer attachments rather than the boat transom.
An outboard motor uses the transom as its thrust point.
The newer Mercruiser Alphas outdrives also use the boat transom as
the main thrust point. Does this Volvo unit also use the transom
for the propulsion thrust point? Or is it using the boat internal hull members
via the engine mounts to apply the propulsion force?

The older Sea Ray boat transoms seem to be real well constructed
and would stand up to the forces applied by an outdrive pushing against it.
Mine is at least 2" thick.

I am experimenting with using some boats that have the old "stringer" setups
and converting them to Mercruiser Alpha type outdrives.
So, far the mounting of the outdrive to the transom and the steering cable are
the major issues. The outdrive lifts may cause a conversion problem.
I am definitely interested in your project for ideas on how to make mine work better.
 
This can certainly be done however you could replace the whole boat for less money.
Also, you will run into all sorts of unanticipated problems along the way that will double or triple the cost.

My advice is to sell your current boat as is and buy a newer boat.
You will be boating sooner, spend less, and have a nicer boat.
 
This kit does not work here...
It is intended for newer omc cobra to volvo sx, the conversion of an old OMC stringer is not so simple...
True, omc makes trust trough stringers, and all other outdrives uses transom for that and it needs to be strong and made for that kind of setup.
Things get easier if you want to convert to mercruiser or newer volvo (sx) outdrive, cause there are adapter plates that were made for conversion of BMW outdrives to merc, and I think BMW has the biggest whole in transom, mercs and sx use the same transom hole, I have two or three of these plates and can post a picture of that.
Most of the conversions I made did not have transom strong enough to take the trust so I had to make work there in order to get things done right.
In any case, this job is not so simple as it might seem, the stringers have to be removed and new ones have to be made (not as strong as the ones with OMC cause they only carry the weight of the engine, steering cable has to be changed, shift cables and handle, if you use the same engine, you will most likely have to change the exhaust manifold or make allot of work to get it fit, personally I would not do this job if not necesary...
Goran
 
Well, thanks for the comments on this. There are two big reasons that I am even considering this. one is that I get everything that I would need as my friend is doing a compleat repower to a volvo diesel. Second is that the aviabilty of parts on the volvo unit and that I can get the duoprop lower unit for it. As for the drive throught the transom I don't think that it will be a problem as the transom is failey strong. As for getting a newer boat. I like the look of the 70's sea ray's. As for the cost I think that I can sell the OMC for about what I will have into this project as I am getting everything for $250 and my time to wire and get the diesel running. anyway keep the comments comming and thanks for the things to look out for
Jeff
 
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