So what is the best solution to adding trim to my old school Volvo Outdrives? I read somewhere on here that a Merc outboard trim cylinder can be added.
What about a complete swap to an SX drive? I lost my Port prop (oem Volvo LH rotation 26 Pitch) during my first test run and am having a heck of a time finding a replacement, so an SX style would be a lot easier to find props. Ideally I would rather keep these outdrives to maintain the boat as it was since the rest of it is 95 percent original. Just could use a little help finding a trimming solution and matching prop.
I spoke to Ron Hill and he has some props to fit, but I likely need to buy 2 to keep them matched. Shipping, taxes and the Props add up quickly, and my Canadian dollar doesn't go too far these days...

I went with the Volvo SP Transom plates, you do have to re cut the transom as they are bigger, but the drive and bellhousing are still the same. Another benefit is you can raise the drive ~2" if you line up the bottom of the cutout to the bottom of the current cutout.





Deals are out there on the plates ( I ended up buying 2 complete fresh water drives Bellhousing to prop for less than 1500$ They are the SP-A drives with 1.61 ratios, and are a bit stronger than the 270,280,290 drives I have been told.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-Penta-...feff1b&vxp=mtr

And there is a guy selling kits to rebuild the cylinders as well (Volvo never serviced them, just sold replacements which are pricey)

As for the props H2OBoater was working on adapters so you could run Merc props on the Volvos. Not sure how far that has gone.

Thanks for the photos . So will my current drives actually fit the SP transom plates? What is the actual advantage of raising the drives 2 inches? I'm assuming less drag, but is there a compromise in acceleration or cavitation problems? I've read about a lot of people raising their drives. Why did Magnum install them so low?

Adaptors! Why on Earth has Vortex left us out of their hub adaptor program?

Jeff & I made one set for two props. There was much more machine work than we thought since than Jeff found a place to machine out props that may be a better alternative. I have the Merc shafts for my Volvo drives letting me run any Merc prop. When Jeff gets back in town I will see if he plans to test them yet this year. I have only run my sport out maybe only 4 times as I really just like cruising @ 35 mph. I chased that top speed thing for 40 years with all my other offshores now it just my time to cruise.

With modern prop design a higher X dimension can be run without blowout. The higher X reduces drag increasing efficiency. Your drives will fit but you need the suspension arm and fork from the SP drive. The DP drives from the same era will also work, as the transom, center, and uppper portions of the drive are the same from SP to DP.

Do you have the drawings for the adapters? I have contacts at a few machine shops and would be willing to do the leg work to get these made.

Even at 35MPH a better prop will save you fuel...

I have made the Volvo trim using the Merc OB trim cylinders, works great as I have it now on my X-18 Donzi. Solas makes a prop that works for Volvo drives if they are @ stock drive height. Jeff has a set he may sell as his drives are up 3". We have found that when the drives are raised you really don't need the trim, Jeff & I like to keep things as simple as possible. My sedans Volvo drives are not raised & I may put the trim on this one. Ron Hills props are not cheap & I hear he does not make the Merc to Volvo shafts any more.

Is there a thread on here somewhere with details regarding this project ?