Ian38_39
regular
Reged: 18/07/2006
Posts: 165
Loc: Birmingham
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Hi All,
I have made an offer on a boat with twin AQ431 petrols in, yes I know I should have diesel but petrol suits us fine due to us doing 90% of our cruising on the river chugging about on 1 engine.
I assume that these are a development of the AQ205 being V 6's with 205HP.
Does anyone have any expierience of them? are they any good?
Ian
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Its_Only_Money
regular
Reged: 11/08/2004
Posts: 1075
Loc: Leicester - boat on Hamble
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431's are indeed the later name for the venerable AQ205, detail differences only from earlier versions I think, still 205Hp, still carb fuel system, still electronic ignition from memory, still a sound base engine. Inherently very smooth and as with all older petrols their current condition could vary widely depending on history of care.
Brochures/spec sheet and manuals can be found on the Volvo Penta US website.
--------------------
Rgds
Simon
Ocean Deep
Fairline Sprint
Volvo 4.3GXi
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Questor
regular
Reged: 27/08/2003
Posts: 838
Loc: Hertfordshire
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We had our old Targa 27 re-engined with a pair of new 431s back in 1997. We had no problems with them at all during the ensuing 5 seasons. They were pretty sweet lumps, albeit a bit thirsty, although not as thirsty as the V8's, but only slightly off the pace.
Two things I didn't particularly like was the raw water cooling (I just hated the thought of salt water being pumped around the engines), and the automatic chokes. They were prone to stalling until properly warm. Both could be rectified, but at a price, so I never bothered.
I guess being on the river the raw water cooling isn't such an issue, and likewise their thirst for the juice.
One point to look for, is corrosion in the exhaust horns. These are expensive to replace. But other than that they were good engines.
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Ian38_39
regular
Reged: 18/07/2006
Posts: 165
Loc: Birmingham
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thanks for that, these are fresh water cooled but have been on hard standing for 3 years and not much use before that, virtually no hours, lots of problems,
I have to change the legs and props as it looks like they were left with depleted anodes, good news is they bolted on some new anodes when it went on the hard and these in air have hardly been used up at all.
Is it worth me sorting the engines or should I just bite the bullit and put in new lumps?
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Questor
regular
Reged: 27/08/2003
Posts: 838
Loc: Hertfordshire
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Quote:
Is it worth me sorting the engines or should I just bite the bullit and put in new lumps?
This is so hard to say. All depends on costs / values, and how much work needs doing, and how long you want to keep the boat for etc etc.
I think (back in 97) I paid £1500 + Vat each for the 431 long blocks. Dunno what they'd be today, although Isis7 who posts occasionally on here bought a new GM V8 last year, which he imported from USA which cost about the same. I'm pretty sure the 431 was also a marinised GM lump.
Re anodes - They won't get used up until the boat goes back in the water.
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Ian38_39
regular
Reged: 18/07/2006
Posts: 165
Loc: Birmingham
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thanks, have had a long engine price of 1850 but as I am changing the drives would it be worthwhile changing to GSi lumps. Did know about the anodes 
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