www.iFourWinns.com

Im going to be pulling the outdrives on my 97 Vista 278 (twin 4.3 GI's with the Volvo Penta Cobra SX outdrives).

Its pretty straightforward, right? Disconnect the hydraulic rams, pull the plastic cover off the outdrive and un-do the shift linkage, then remove the 6 nuts holding the outdrive to the boat and have a helper assist me in pulling the drive out?

Is there anything else I should know?


Also, what grease is recommended for the U-Joints & Gimbal?

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Don't forget gaskets

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

If it's like the VP SX/ DPS , then there are no gaskets, only the seal on the water inlet

Sounds like everybody pretty much covered it for you. The only things I would add are that an outdrive stand on wheels makes things a lot easier. Wrestling the out drive off and on can be a challenge, especially while trying to get the drive shaft lined up and started in to the drive coupling. I believe Volvo specifies a grease, I know OMC did. Otherwise a good wheel bearing grease is usually fine. With the outdrive removed you can look forward into the driveshaft bellows and see the gimbal bearing. Clean the excess grease fromthe front and back of the gimbal bearing and rotate the bearing to feel for any "roughness". Check gimbal bearing to engine drive coupler alignment (if possible). Use a grease gun to grease the zerk on the outside (right side) of the transom bracket while rotating the bearing to ensure grease is spread throughout the bearing. Verify whether driveshaft u joints have grease zerks installed and grease them. The aft ends of the trim cylinders are attached to the outdrive by a shaft that goes through the outdrive housing. DO NOT lose the 2 plastic bushings in each trim cylinder (like I did once). Grease this shaft upon re-installation to guard against corrosion. Products like heavy wheel bearing grease, LPS#3, and other corrosion inhibitors make a great difference in the fight against corrosion, especially in salt water or boats that are in the water all the time. Sometimes a bit of grease will help hold the water intake seal in place while re-installing the outdrive. Ensure that this seal is in place as the outdrive is slid in to place. While you have the outdrive off look at the bellows adjacent to the clamp worm screw on the forward end of the drive bellows. On my '95 190 horizon the worm screw housing on this clamp rubbed a hole in the bellows from contact when turned to the right stop. This allowed water to enter this area and mix with the grease, making a beige "whipped cream" looking mixture. Volvo has identified this as an issue and has a service letter and kit for this. Hope this helps.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Here is a post I created last year regarding VP SX removal (with pics). Enjoy!

http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10459

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X