AQ125 engine mounts, or lack of ?

[FrankenCub]

Hopefully the Volvo/Penta Gods can help with this. I just picked up an '83 Renken 19' with the AQ125. Upon closer looking at it I see no forward engine mounts, as matter of fact, I don't even see where any pads for them would have been. Has someone removed the mounts and done away with the pads, or is it possible that this boat didn't have forward engine mounts ?
I've been working on everything with engines, including boats, for most of my life and have never seen an engine suspended from the bell housing like this.
I've found an image on the web that kinda looks like there's no forward mounts but it isn't a very good quality image, and one video on Youtube that would appear to be the same but the camera man doesn't hold the camera still long enough to tell for sure. When grabbing the front of the engine you can feel that there is a "rubber mount", but nothing up front. I also can find absolutely no information on the web about Renken other than simple company history. No other kind of documentation.
Any ideas ?

 

[Bondo]

Upon closer looking at it I see no forward engine mounts, as matter of fact, I don't even see where any pads for them would have been. Has someone removed the mounts and done away with the pads, or is it possible that this boat didn't have forward engine mounts ?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... That little bitty Volvo motor, never had a front mount,....

That's the way Volvo built it,.....

 

[Fun Times]

The AQ 125 HP engines are mostly Cantilever hung. Engine mounts were more of an option vs standard.

As long as the transom core remains good, so will your engine mounting. If the core becomes wet, deteriorated, etc. you may notice an increasing gap around the lower perimeter of the Volvo transom shield.

The front mounts looked like items number 7 in the following link. I "believe item number 10 might be mounted to the engine from new but not 100% sure of that as it's been awhile now. http://www.volvopentastore.com/Engi...on_id.700629219--store_id.366--view_id.784410

http://www.volvopentastore.com/Engi...on_id.700629219--store_id.366--view_id.784381



.

 

[FrankenCub]

Thanks guys, that makes me feel so much better lol. I'm not positive of the transom condition yet as I don't have a garage to work in and winter being here will keep it frozen solid if it is wet. Although we still have yet to really see winter. No snow at all, this time last year we had 2 feet.
Fun Times, I seen that parts breakdown yesterday and why I got a bit concerned. Mine doesn't even have part #10 so I was thinking someone may have did a hack job and I'd have a hard time finding cheap used replacements.

Good to know it's not needed

 

[jerryjerry05]

#10 was used when the motor was hooked to a transmission inside the boat.

​To test the condition of the transom. A plastic hard headed hammer.
On the outside of the boat, tap all around the transom mount.
The transom has different thicknesses so take that into consideration when tapping and the sound it produces.

Or an ice pick.
Inside the boat try pushing the pick into the glass around the transom.
If it's going bad the pick will sink into the wood/ glass.

 

[dennis461]

My boat, bought used with deplorable condition, My engine must have come put of a car and they left the motor mounts hangin'.
On the water I noticed the front of the engine would pull up 4-6 inches under load. So I figured transom was in bad shape, but since I had no leaks, I added a front engine mount. Epoxied fiberglass covered wood block to stringers and ran a piece of galvanized angle under the front of engine .

 

[FrankenCub]

What I planned on doing was drilling a series of test holes from the inside starting at the bottom, that way I can inspect the wood shavings. If there's even one hole that shows questionable wood I don't see any reason to proceed with more holes, just replace the whole transom. I feel more confident doing it that way than trusting my ears that have been subjected to decades of loud music and gun fire

Curious question seems I'm a hotrodder at heart, has anyone done any performance mods to these engines ? Turbo charging maybe ?

 

[FrankenCub]

Too late to edit, I see now that the turbo idea is a no go. Oh well. Looks like an intake and carbs from a aq145 would work for 20 more hp.

 

[dennis461]

Too late to edit, I see now that the turbo idea is a no go. Oh well. Looks like an intake and carbs from a aq145 would work for 20 more hp.

that won't get you 20HP, you need the 145 camshaft along with the carbs.. and I think the head design was different also.

 

[FrankenCub]

Doh... :embarassed: ... I forgot about the cam being different part number. I've been looking at every manual I can dig up on the net. Probably be better off running what I have or look for a salvageable replacement 145, if it would be a bolt in swap.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The AQ145 would be a direct swap..
​You could install a AQ171 4cyl. but would need to rig up motor mounts.
But remember the more hp the drive will need a different gear ratio.

Run what you got, save your $$$$ and then buy the boat that suits you.

 

[FrankenCub]

Got to thinking, a really good friend of mine owns a salvage yard near me and he has a few boats in there, I believe they have VP drives i them. The keyhole area looks too big to be Merc or OMC. I will take a ride over this week and look them over. If anything, it may be a great source for super cheap parts
I'll probably use it as is, unless there turns out to be something wrong with the engine that requires replacement, although I doubt it. In the mean while I'll just research a lot and dig around locally for a different VP drive combo to work on. Rather not look for a second boat just to get reasonable amount of more power. Still a hot rodder at heart no matter what I use that has an engine lol. Even my Cub Cadet garden tractors get hopped up
I guess I just can't not do it !

 

[jerryjerry05]

Bigger hole???
​Pic of the transom?

 

[FrankenCub]

Bigger hole???
​Pic of the transom?

I haven't made it over to his yard, from what I remember it looked like a Volve Penta sized hole. Probably not going to bother with it, another friend of mine has a boat that would much better fit our needs so I may strip the Renken for a parts fund.

 

[jerryjerry05]

There's a complete setup in the Florida area.
​I think it said $250
Send me a PM with your e-mail and I'll send you a link.

 

[FrankenCub]

A bit of a long drive for me lol, I'm in upstate NY. I am holding off any work on the Renken for the time being until I see if I'm going to be able to swing enough for a much larger boat a friend of mine has. The Renken may end up getting parted out. Thanks anyways