making my 85 sea ox w/ volvo motor and drive.

[bardfromedson]

I have a 85 sea ox with a Volvo penta 350 with a 290 Volvo drive on it. im not 100 percent but I think the drive is original and the motor has been rebuilt. there is no factory tags with any numbers on it. only a tag from some machine shop that I assume rebuilt the motor.I have had it for 2 seasons. the motor runs pretty smooth. this year I got rid of the old points ignition and went with an electronic. I also traded In the old carb for a new rebuilt one. put in new plugs and thermostat. got her out to the coast and had one of the old exhaust manifolds crack, spray water and heat up bad enough to melt the exaust bellows. it didn't totally ruin my trip but cost me some time offshore.
this offseason I plan on changing out the old alternator, belt, starter, oil pump, fuel pump, water pump, hoses, and both exhaust manifolds.
this is my first I/O so I don't know a lot about the drives. what parts should I be looking to change out on the drive for preventitave maintanence? I had it in the water for 7 days and the leg oil looks brand new so I don't think I have any seals that were leaking. is there anything else I should be looking to change out on the motor? its raw water cooled. im trying to get another year or 2 out of it and then buy a rebuild marine motor and bolt on all the new stuff I have been acquiring the last couple of years.
I only get to use the boat for 1 or 2 fishing trips a year and they are 5-7 day trips so it doesn't get a ton of use. I use a kicker motor for trolling so most days the main engine is only running an hour or 2 tops. next year I plan on taking it to the queen charlotte islands so I don't want any minor failures to ruin a trip because of lack of available parts. any and all recommendations are welcome.

also, does anyone have any experience with ordering rebuild motors out of the US vs getting one in Canada? the prices look really good in the US but I imagine the shipping will be really bad.

The order I will be putting in will be pretty expensive. anyone have any good places for old Volvo parts? I have been looking on the iboats site and the prices looked pretty good. any other places I should be looking? im in Canada so shipping gets pricy.

 

[aogmitch]

Re: making my 85 sea ox w/ volvo motor and drive.

Your post caught my eye, as I just recently (6/13) purchased myself an '86 Sea Ox 230C. Boat was originally equipped with an AQ200D (305) and a 290 outdrive. It was then changed to a 350 and the OD converted to a DuoProp. Well turned out the the block had a couple cracked cylinders.
I ended up getting a new long block (350) through RapidO Marine. Price was 1750 to my home. I'm not sure how close to the boarder you live, but if you know someone on this side thats not too far away, maybe you could have it shipped there and drive down to pick it up. Not sure about shipping cost to Canada.

 

[bardfromedson]

Re: making my 85 sea ox w/ volvo motor and drive.

Your post caught my eye, as I just recently (6/13) purchased myself an '86 Sea Ox 230C. Boat was originally equipped with an AQ200D (305) and a 290 outdrive. It was then changed to a 350 and the OD converted to a DuoProp. Well turned out the the block had a couple cracked cylinders.
I ended up getting a new long block (350) through RapidO Marine. Price was 1750 to my home. I'm not sure how close to the boarder you live, but if you know someone on this side thats not too far away, maybe you could have it shipped there and drive down to pick it up. Not sure about shipping cost to Canada.

hope you like the boat other than the motor issue. so far me and my fishing partner love ours. I drove all the way down to mexico to get her. about 3000 miles round trip. it handles some pretty ugly seas. not the driest hull but she is pretty good when it gets ugly.

how do you like your new 350? im thinking of going that route next year but if I can find the budget for it I might do it this winter. im not the greatest mechanic so I hope its not too tough of a job.

 

[aogmitch]

Re: making my 85 sea ox w/ volvo motor and drive.

So far, the motor is doing awesome. They asked for the block casting number when I ordered it, and I received the same casting number on the new one. The new one however, did have larger, beefier 4 bolt main caps. Original was a 4 bolt also. They shipped it fast and kept in touch til I received it. Have about 6 good days out on Puget sound with it so far. Would certainly use them again. Best part, they don't take a core. So no dealing with trying to send them your old block.

Motor was pretty easy to swap on mine. Plenty of space. And was able to borrow an a-frame set up to pull it out with. Worst and most time consuming part was cleaning and painting all the parts before reinstalling them on the new motor.

So far, am really liking the boat. It does handle rough water nicely, and has plenty of room on the back. Need to get all the wood trim pulled this winter and refinish it. Pretty weathered looking. But the hull is still solid and the gel coat isn't in too bad of shape. Never heard of them til I saw the ad for the boat. My first I/O, and I'm learning alot right now.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: making my 85 sea ox w/ volvo motor and drive.

The 290 drive was/is a great drive.
The hydrolic lines can be a pain to change if the unit's been in the salt.
The only things to really look for is keep the zincs changed.
Fresh oil I believe it's 30wt.
Do a pressure test even if it's not leaking.
The motor 's probably a 260 A or B
Inside the engine compartment, on the top of the bell housing, there should be a grease fitting.
It goes to the driveshaft, grease it every few trips.
Also a grease fitting on the steering.
Not sure if you have power steering,but a grease fitting on there too??(maybe)
Change the filters every year.
NOT using a boat is worse than using it all the time.
Keep the tank full.
Change the oil every year.