1988? 5.7GL-B

[Jgliny]

Thanks in advance for any info..
I have 1988 4 winns 235 sundowner with a VP 5.7GL-B the boat has a 4Bbl carb and just trying to see if that's stock or the old owner updated it.. I'm looking to change the carb and ignition systems due to lack of power and poor overal performance..

So I'm looking to see what carb should I get 2 or 4 bbl
What is interchangeable with it intake manifold and carb
Thanks

 

[Maclin]

If it has a dual feed Holley than it is probably original. By the way, the stock carb on that 5.7 (AQ271) is a rip-snorter of a carb when in tune. Don't go backwards to a 2bbl, that should never be necessary. The intake and carb on that 5.7 are top notch choices from Volvo Penta for that engine (in the carbed arena). If it is the original carb and intake with the Holley then a good carb rebuild would be your best option to restore lost performance due to carb issues.

Have you done a compression check on the engine? Poor performance may be due to engine age and wear.

As far as ignition, what issues are you attributing to that? Have you replaced distributor cap and rotor and plug wires and plugs? What do the plugs look like?

The sweeping changes you have in mind would likely produce less performance than the original components in good state of tune.

I just sold a 1991 VP 570 which is almost exact same engine as AQ271C. Rebuilt the Holley in my first season in 2006 and it ran superb every year since. Good holeshot and top rpm's every time. I may have been lucky with the distributor, but one new cap and rotor and one new set of plugs in the first season was all I ever had to do for it outside of filters/oil change/impeller.

 

[Lou C]

You sure that you have a VP set up in an '88? Because the only way I have ever seen them, is with either a Merc or OMC drive set up. And, because OMC owned F/W at that time, most were sold with the OMC Cobra....
Some one may have dropped in a Chevy engine that was from a Volvo powered boat....but I bet you have either a Merc Alpha or OMC Cobra drive system...Not Volvo....unless someone updated the Cobra....to a Volvo SX....unlikely given the age of the boat and the cost of doing it....
To answer your question, they came both ways, 2 bbl or 4 bbl. Each has its own manifold. So if there's a 4bbl on it now, only a 4bbl will work without changing intake manifolds. If the old carb needs work can you get it rebuilt? If not consider an Edelbrock 1409 marine carb. Ignition, there is not much to upgrade. If its a Merc it will have the Thunderbolt system which is a good OE system, if its an OMC it will have a points distributor with mechanical spark advance. These are very simple to work on and all it may need is a new set of points & condenser. Other ignition related issues are worn/fouled spark plugs, old plug wires, corroded cap and rotor.....
Make sure to check the whole rest of the fuel system, esp:
1) anti siphon valve on the tank, this was a problem on my F/W because they used a cheap aluminum one that corrodes, use a better quality Johnson/Evinrude OE one.
2) marine fuel filter (water separating filter) check for water/debris
3) if a Rochester Q-Jet carb, (4bbl) there is a small filter in the carb inlet that can clog, if the bigger filter was not maintained
4) gas tank vent
5) fuel pump

 

[Bondo]

I'm looking to change the carb and ignition systems due to lack of power and poor overal performance..

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... That's alittle drastic,.... Ya won't know what was bad, changin' so much at one time,....

A bit of Diagnosis goes along ways,....

Any crud in the fuel filter,..??
What color are the spark plugs,..??
Do a compression test,....