Answer
Jun 01, 2025 - 03:28 AM
The Volvo Penta AQ205A is based on the GM 4.3L V6 engine, which was widely used in a number of General Motors vehicles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. If you're looking for a matching short block, you'd want to look at GM 4.3L V6 engines from vehicles such as:
- 1988-1995 Chevrolet S-10 and S-15
- Chevy Astro Van and GMC Safari
- Chevy/GMC C/K pickup trucks
- Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy (from that era)
These automotive engines share the same core architecture — so the block, crankshaft, pistons, and rods will generally be compatible.
That said, there are a few important marine-specific differences to be aware of:
- The camshaft in marine engines is typically tuned for low-end torque and sometimes uses reverse rotation (depending on application).
- Freeze plugs and other exposed metal components in marine blocks are often made from corrosion-resistant materials.
- The head gaskets and cooling passages may be configured slightly differently for raw-water cooling.
- The flywheel and coupler setups may differ based on which outdrive your boat uses.
If you're planning to reuse your original marine heads and external components (intake, cooling system, ignition, etc.), an automotive long block from the same GM family should work as a core replacement — just be sure to swap over any marine-specific parts as needed.
Let us know if you’d like help identifying specific casting numbers or matching a donor block — happy to help with that too.
