www.iFourWinns.com

To read a few reviews of the DCi engines fitted to the joint venture GM / Renault vans in Europe, I'm surprised anyone would have a GM badged engine ( to be fair, it's the crappy Renault engines in the vans that are the problem !)

Hold on, both VP and Mercruiser are black painted GM engines , Mercruiser are still black (cheapskates, they couldn't be bothered to paint it a different colour ?). VP have red paint on top of the original GM black paint and if you look back far enough, both were black.

There again, I have had a number of Volvo cars; the only ones I had issues with are the ones from when Ford had an influence on the design (costs)!

Graham

PS: the Mercruiser dry joint exhaust (manifold to riser) seems a much better thought out design than the VP one, where a failure can lead to water getting into the engine.

Oh man, whatever you do don't get the Bravo 1 drive if you do get a merc...major issues with that drive. Had 3 boaters at our marina with sheared pinions due to imperfection in the casting process. One of them actually dropped his entire outdrive when he put in reverse at the fueling dock...actually it was hanging on by the tilt trim pistons. Not covered under warranty or insurance since it wasn't within warranty period. Cost him 8,000 in repairs!!!!

Disregard this post - it's total BS, just thought walt would enjoy it:)

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

After having the volvo for three years and the merc for one, I don't think one is any better than the other. Both have good and bad points.

The volvo had the blistering paint issue, then when volvo did replace it, the second drive was a bit louder. It also didn't shift very smoothly (at the shifter, although I had heard through another thread here that upgrading the shift cable helps). On the plus side, the impeller access is hard to beat.

The merc has the dog clutch that is a bit rougher, but the shifter is much smoother. And although the impeller is harder to change I do like the drive reservoir for monitoring and the oil change tube that comes out by the transom drain. Both handy additions!

So, IMHO, pick whatever color you like!

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

Wow, you actually think that its a Volvo Motor? As stated above, they are all GM motors, 5.7, 6.0, 8.1, 4.3, 5.0 etc.... Basically the same motor just different outdrives.

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

Walt, stop it, you are killing me, I just sprayed a moutful of Diet Coke all over my computer, and this poor OP is starting to believe you too.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Is that a (black) Mercruiser snooker ball, or a Volvo one before it is painted; why does it have 3 holes in it?

Graham

I love to stir... and with a topic this wide open, in the cold of winter, how could I not help myself???

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

At the present time I'd go with Merc because there have been some problems with the newer style Volvo drives, they may be worked out but what about the reports of bad trim pumps multiple failures and gear noise that is not normal. I think the previous SX series was certainly superior to a Merc Alpha and probably equal to a Bravo. If I had to replace the Cobra on mine I might do the SX swap if I could find a use one at the right price.
Many older FWs were Merc, before OMC bought FW around 87 or so. Then from 88 to 98 most FWs were OMCs, right up to the last years of production. Then after that, most but not all seemed to be Volvo but you could always get a Merc.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Have had both Merc and Volvo. I like Volvo because of less drive rot. Mercs are nice to because there are more places to get work on. Volvos might have to be towed for miles to get service. You need to many special tools to work on them. Was told by FourWinns dealer at boat show that Volvo is getting out of the marine buisness as we know it. They are leaning more towards the IPS system only.

Walt is right. The blocks provided by Merc and VP are all GM blocks. the marine fixtures on the engines are those of the company supplying the equipment.

Reading that I sprayed another Diet Coke all over my computer screen.
That is the biggest bunch of BS I think I have heard in one mouthful. You sir need to do some research before you post, and quit listening to a salesman.
Volvo ARE NOT getting out of the marine business, and IPS is just one of their product lines that is gaining popularity.
I could go on and on about your statements, but it's not worth the effort.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

So we finally have an answer to this question. The best way to make your monitor last as long as possible is to drink regular Coke.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

I have a screen protector for just such occasions.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

On a slight tangent to the thread, any thoughts on why GM blocks seem to be the only ones in recreational boating? Why not Toyota or Dodge? Just curious... after all, wouldn't any boater want a "Hemi" added to thier boat?

And as far as screen protectors.... don't need to know the why; There are other parts of the internet for that!

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.