Hi guys,

Just recently started looking at a 5.8L V8 volvo penta boat. I noticed that it clunks into gear. is this normal for this motor and outdrive set up?

Thanks.

whats the engine rpm when shifting

If its a big thump check to make sure the reverse lock is locking.

It was never posted the year model nor which model VP drive.

the 5.8 L quit in 1998 and back years for Volvo Penta but you could see some installed in 1999 year models.

It would be good if you knew the drive serial number because there is service bulletins about the cone and the cup and so forth - depended on drive serial numbers. Also linkage issues and how to address those.

Also what drive oil is used in this app ? Volvo does not recommend Merc Hi performance gear lube oil period. and will tell you this all time especially the combo Merc - Volvo dealers. The Merc gear oil will glaze the cone clutch over time plus ruin the Nedox coating Volvo has on it. Also if one ever lapped the cone clutch for deglazing they ruined it. The coating is shot. The coating starting in 1994 and up even currently.

Volvo s are smooth and quit shifters when operating normal. A lot of times I have to look over the transom to see if the prop is rotating when shifted. they are that smooth and quit when correctly operating and set up correctly.

Also possible needing a shift cable if it has never been changed cause most likely this boat app is 20 years old min being an 5.8 L engine installed , Unless someone put a car engine in the boat - Not uncommon with the used jacked up boat market.

Great info. So what is the best drive oil to use in a Volvo Penta SX outdrive ?

Years ago when we would order the 5 gallon pals of Volvo drive oil THRU VOLVO PENTA, it would be Mobil One syn 75 - 90 GL 5 spec. Then Volvo figured out why they do not have their own branded oils as missing out profit in other areas. They recommend GL 5 spec 75w-90 full syn gear lube. In the USA it was believed that Amsoils made it for them and in the European market in which is huge for Volvo, Mobil One made it for them over there. Merc High Performance gear oil ( the teal / grean blue color) is a non syn and is a GL 4 spec. Totally not recommended for Volvo Penta SX and DP and DPX drives PERIOD. Can careless what anyone thinks until they have taken VP OEM class training(s) and talked to the many of VP engineers as I have. We see delayed prop rotation when shifted from the ones whom use the Merc gear oil Hi Perf non syn as its glazes the cone over time. This will not take place in short order but overtime will glaze up the cone. Then you have the ones that think deglazing the cone with valve lapping compound will fix the issue. Yes that would on the older VP drives but not the ones with NEDOX coating on the cone - ( 1994 and up SX - DP - DPX) One ruins the coating when lapped. We see this a lot from whomever that tried for a quick cheap attempted fix.

was it in the water or on a hose?

I,ve got a Volvo Penta SX drive on my 1996 Four Winns U-17, and it has clunked since I purchased it 4 years ago.
After changing to the proper GL-5 spec gear oil, it still clunks when I shift it. It idles around 650 rpm.
What is the best way to correct this problem, or should I just live with it ?