Old Volvo Engines

[GraemeMcDonald]

I am looking at a beautifully-restored 30 foot motor boat. The problem is that the only ‘unrestored’ bit are the engines. The boat was built in 1966 and the engines are two original 85hp Volvo 6 cylinders, normally-aspirated. There is little history but they were serviced by a reputable engineer in 2018 and they start and run very well. Am I looking at a complete money pit or, given that they run well, can I expect a bit more life if I look after them? The boat is cheap because the engines are old; she is otherwise well-found.

I am a life-long yachtsman (YM Offshore) but am now 70 years old and just want to take the grandchildren on lazy days on the water - it would be good to get a few seasons more out of these 50-plus year old engines. Am I mad to even consider this?

 

[Elessar]

Get Colin Ryan,Tom Parker or Paul Street to look at them with you.
And listen to their advice.
TBH in a boat of that size I would go for a single. But many (most?) would disagree.
I hope you find a boat and to see you on the water.

 

[GraemeMcDonald]

Get Colin Ryan,Tom Parker or Paul Street to look at them with you.
And listen to their advice.
TBH in a boat of that size I would go for a single. But many (most?) would disagree.
I hope you find a boat and to see you on the water.

Thanks, Elessar - I agree about a single and a little 50 hp would drive her along at six or seven knots, which is all I need but ... she has these very aged twin Volvos! She is a really lovely boat, though!

 

[burgundyben]

What is she?

 

[GraemeMcDonald]

What is she?

1966 Storebro, mahogany on oak

 

[burgundyben]

Nice.

 

[GraemeMcDonald]

Yes - but what about those engines? I’d like to get four or five seasons gentle river cruising out of them, by which time the grandchildren will have flown and I shall be uncomfortably close to my sell-by date!

 

[Davy_S]

 

[GraemeMcDonald]

That’s the one. Any thoughts about those engines?

 

[BruceK]

Yes - but what about those engines? I’d like to get four or five seasons gentle river cruising out of them, by which time the grandchildren will have flown and I shall be uncomfortably close to my sell-by date!

Take Elessar's advice. Have them checked. However given the condition of the boat currently and the fact they are massive lumps hardly stressed, then if given the OK will probably be still running when your grand kids have grand kids. Get them surveyed, satisfy yourself that any maintenance replaceable items are still available and bite the bullet. At the current price it's an absolute steal if all is good.

 

[GraemeMcDonald]

Thank you - I am really just trying to decide whether to pay for an engine survey, only to be told that they are on their last legs, or to just forget it and look elsewhere. I have always had old, wooden yachts with sound hulls and small auxiliary engines that are easy to look after and pretty reliable, so wooden hulls don’t scare me at all - but these engines do!

 

[Elessar]

You’ll struggle to find a boat in that condition for that price. Dither and you’ll miss it. Paul is based in the midlands I think. Volvo Paul on here. call him now!

 

[Refueler]

Very very nice ......

Engines ? You say professionally serviced in 2018 ? Wish it was over here - I'd have it !! Engines an' all .....

I don't see any mention of Petrol or Diesel ... I assume from the naturally aspirated - PETROL ?

Can get serious fuel costs on petrol .....

 

[[119605]]

If they are petrol, you can expect around 1 to 1.5 mpg. 2 mpg if you are lucky if you use just one engine.

 

[GraemeMcDonald]

They are diesels

 

[scottie]

Possibly ? md32 engines which especially if derated may actually work out ok but spares are a real problem now
they were Peugeot tractor units rated at 106hp at about 4000rpm but often derated to 3000 rpm as I recall
one of the first high speed diesels

 

[Sticky Fingers]

They're diesels.

 

[GraemeMcDonald]

I have taken Elesser’s advice and PM’d VolvoPaul so hope he might be able to tell me a bit more.

 

[Refueler]

They are diesels

Even better then .......

I'm jealous !!

 

[markc]

The boat looks lovely, and a bargain If the engines start well from cold and run well without blue smoke under load, I'd be happy with them. No engine surveyor is going to give you proper peace of mind on 50 odd year old engines anyway.