GLM Manifolds, Risers

Regal3560!

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I’m replacing manifolds and risers on 8.1 Volvo Pentas, I had got a price on the glm but now that I’m doing some research I’m reading a lot of bad reviews, not sure if they improved because the posts are from years ago, also if you wouldn’t recommend, is there any other aftermarket brands that would be better
 
Can we assume your Volvo’s are raw water cooled?
 
How much cheaper as compared to Volvo OEM? On the mercruiser side, the ”generics” ( Barr, etc,) are a lot cheaper, and most people expect them to last a shorter time. So you can decide if you want to pay less, and replace more often, or pay more and replace less often. No right answer - but my suggestion is that if you are paying someone else for the labor, going OEM will pay for itself in time. I believe most people that install themselves go with aftermarket?

the wrong answer is to pay less, and try to hang onto failing parts too long - because that’s one way to kill a motor.
 
I went through this last year with my Crusaders and I'll cut to the punch line. I tried my best to order OEM but ended up with "H2O" risers and elbows. Needless to say I was not happy. The supplier swore these ARE OEM as H20 provides Crusaders with these risers. He went on to say he worked for Barr years ago, etc, etc, etc. I gave up arguing and installed them.

My point is, does Volvo REALLY make manifolds and risers? I doubt it.... the question is "who" and there are only a couple of answers. Good Luck!
 
How much cheaper as compared to Volvo OEM? On the mercruiser side, the ”generics” ( Barr, etc,) are a lot cheaper, and most people expect them to last a shorter time. So you can decide if you want to pay less, and replace more often, or pay more and replace less often. No right answer - but my suggestion is that if you are paying someone else for the labor, going OEM will pay for itself in time. I believe most people that install themselves go with aftermarket?

the wrong answer is to pay less, and try to hang onto failing parts too long - because that’s one way to kill a motor.
I haven’t got a price for the Volvos yet but I was assuming close to double the price, I will be the one installing, I hear what your saying on life expectancy, the place I’m dealing with can also deals with mr cool, I can’t seem to find much on those manifolds, apparently there built in the states so that could be a plus
 
I would feel comfortable with Sierra.

I am glad my VP is fresh water cooled.
 
Over the years I tried them all but finally realized OEM was best because they last the longest. I agree most manufacturers don't make their own but they do buy direct and probably get the best of the products cast. JMO
 
Barr is made in USA and I heard from a reliable source that they cast the Volvo OEM manifolds & elbows.
I used Barr the last time I changed mine and they fit well. Just give them a better coat of paint.
 
I ended up going with the GLM those were readily available, I wouldn’t have been able to get any others until summer, there’s defiantly some imperfections on some of the mounting surfaces, going to clean them up evenly with a belt sander and hope for the best.
 
I ended up going with the GLM those were readily available, I wouldn’t have been able to get any others until summer, there’s defiantly some imperfections on some of the mounting surfaces, going to clean them up evenly with a belt sander and hope for the best.
So I’m doing the manifold replacement on my twin 8.1’s. It looks like you did this back in 2022. The new design for GLM 8.1 now looks a bit different, but it's supposed to be the replacement manifold. I'm not sure if you got the replacement manifold as well or if it was almost identical. How have they held up so far? Any problems?
 
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