Replacing Prop & Other Questions

[canadman]

I just bought a 21' WEllcraft Excel with a 4.3 Volvo Penta I/O (I think the motor's a 2000 not sure though). The prop is pretty thrashed though the seller included a new prop with the boat. It has a Volvo Penta outdrive and though I've owned many boats before I have never replaced a prop myself and never had an I/O before.

First off, can I replace the prop myself or am I better to have a pro do it? If I can do it myself is there anywhere online anyone can suggest I go to to find out how to do it?

Also, not having owned an I/O before I was wondering if anybody could give me some tips on getting it ready for Spring use. The water has been drained in it though I'm not sure what needs to be done to get it ready to run. For example (I know this probably sounds stupid, sorry) but is the engine just like a car engine, in other words is there somewhere I add water/coolant or is it cooled like an outboard with the water it runs in? Also for oil, etc, is there a marine oi I use? Anything else anyone can suggest I check and do before running?

Sorry to be so ignorant but having come from the outboard side the I/O concept seems very intimidating to me. Any help would really be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Replacing Prop & Other Questions

it has 4 drain plugs, 2 on the engine, 1 on each manifold. if you know nothing of I/O's best to have it spring serviced, oil change, outdrive checked. you don't say where you live, if cold climate it needs to be properly winterized in fall. these are much more complicate, and require more maintanance than an outboard. suggest you get the engine and outdrive manual for you boat. and make it your best reading for awhile.

you have bellows that need to be check also. they keep you from sinking.