Re: Waht's the Skinny on Volvo Duo-Prop?
Just about everyone will tell you to go OB around here if you are leaving it in the water, as I said, the anti fouling paint not lasting the whole season can REALLY make a mess out of a sterndrive transom assembly, I had barnacles everywhere, even in the water intakes! But I let the yard paint the drive and I don't think they take the time to do as good as job as you could do yourself, that's what I'm doing next year.
I have stuck with it partly because the drive maintenance is offset by the simple automotive based engine that is easy and cheap to repair. Modern outboards are light years ahead of the old school ones in terms of smoke reduction, reliability in starting and quietness. But when something goes wrong, I don't think most driveway mechanics who know their way around a small block Chevy and a Quadrajet are going to know what to do with them. And if you can't find a good tech you are out of luck. As an example there are only 2 dealers certified by BRP to sell and service the ETECs here in LI, now is that not silly, we are surrounded by salt water!
If you do get it, really check over the exhaust system, bellows, gimble bearing etc. I pull the drive every fall and check for water in the gear oil, water in the bellows and gear oil leaks. I lube up the shift linkage and associated parts when I reinstall the drive in the spring and it's ready to go.
If I ever put a new engine in this one it will be closed cooled for sure, still you have to worry about the manifolds (check after 5 years probably replace). They all cost you money sooner or later!
