Having sold our Cat 22, we are now looking at bigger boats. I will be going to Houston next week to look at an Islander 28. This boat has a Volvo marine engine that was rebuilt and now has 90 hours on it. I know there is always a battle over what is best, Chevy vs Ford, Catalina vs Hunter, Universal vs Atomic, etc. I would like to get some feedback on the Volvo marine engine and its reliability if anyone out there has experience with these engines. Thanks in advance, Robert
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There are many models of Volvo engines
In existance. I have one of the 2001,2002,2003 series. specfically a 2001 Have had it since 1999 and it was new in the crate when I bought it. It is one cylinder, has always started on demand, always runs tirelessly. It is heavy by todays standards, about 350 pounds. Mine is installed in an Islander 30 built in 1968 and replaced an atomic four. I have no complaints about it.
In existance. I have one of the 2001,2002,2003 series. specfically a 2001 Have had it since 1999 and it was new in the crate when I bought it. It is one cylinder, has always started on demand, always runs tirelessly. It is heavy by todays standards, about 350 pounds. Mine is installed in an Islander 30 built in 1968 and replaced an atomic four. I have no complaints about it.
The thing I hear about them
is that they are good motors, but the parts are VERY EXPENSIVE. But that's only hearsay... I use an outboard.
is that they are good motors, but the parts are VERY EXPENSIVE. But that's only hearsay... I use an outboard.
Perkins
My mechanic, who works for Harper Detroit Diesel, just told me that the smaller Volvo marine engines are built by Perkins. My C320 has a Perkins 30.
My mechanic, who works for Harper Detroit Diesel, just told me that the smaller Volvo marine engines are built by Perkins. My C320 has a Perkins 30.
Up until about 10 years ago Volvo manufactured
Their own engines. But their market share didn't make that profitable so their name was attached to engines built to Volvo specs. I have never learned who manufactures the cores. But I don't believe it is Ford Motor Corp.
Their own engines. But their market share didn't make that profitable so their name was attached to engines built to Volvo specs. I have never learned who manufactures the cores. But I don't believe it is Ford Motor Corp.
Volvo is not Ford, usually
Ford owns the Volvo automobile company. They have no interest in Volvo trucks, heavy equipment or marine engines. Therefore, Volvo marine engines are durable and reliable. Parts are sometimes a little more difficult to get locally, but they will always be available because there are thousande of Volvo diesels chugging around US waters, and there probably always will be.
Ford owns the Volvo automobile company. They have no interest in Volvo trucks, heavy equipment or marine engines. Therefore, Volvo marine engines are durable and reliable. Parts are sometimes a little more difficult to get locally, but they will always be available because there are thousande of Volvo diesels chugging around US waters, and there probably always will be.
OKAY.........
so what I can take from all of this is that the Volvo marine engine is reliable, may be expensive to purchase parts but they are available, and there is still a dispute over Catalina, atomic engines, and Ford vs Chevy.
so what I can take from all of this is that the Volvo marine engine is reliable, may be expensive to purchase parts but they are available, and there is still a dispute over Catalina, atomic engines, and Ford vs Chevy.
This week I found my fresh water pump was
leaking when running. Blown seal. I called Vosbury Marine told them my problem and asked them to send me the parts I would need to rebuild the pump. New seals, impellor, gaskets. Total 67 dollars. I made the call before noon on monday had the parts in hand by noon tuesday rebuilt the pump and had it back in the engine before dark on tuesday. Was 67 dollars for 2 seals, 1 "o" ring, 1 gasket, 2 water line seals and a new impellor. expensive? I don't know. A new water pump for my car cost about 400 this week.
leaking when running. Blown seal. I called Vosbury Marine told them my problem and asked them to send me the parts I would need to rebuild the pump. New seals, impellor, gaskets. Total 67 dollars. I made the call before noon on monday had the parts in hand by noon tuesday rebuilt the pump and had it back in the engine before dark on tuesday. Was 67 dollars for 2 seals, 1 "o" ring, 1 gasket, 2 water line seals and a new impellor. expensive? I don't know. A new water pump for my car cost about 400 this week.
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