Engine and transmission options for Volvo 240, 740 and 9xxs in the USA?

[Chapel]

Could someone who knows a lot about Volvos explain what we received here from the factory in the US for
240s
740s
940/960s

In terms of engines and transmission combinations.

[Chapel]

anyone...

[rs4-380]

quite a few. I'm not sure what it would take to put together an exhaustive list of combinations.

what are you looking for/to do that would require the list?

[Lwize]

Wikipedia

[rs4-380]

240 alone was

Engines
B20F (I4)
B21F (I4)
B21ft (turbo i4)
B23F (i4)
B230F (i4)
B27 (v6)
B28F (v6)
D24 (6 cyl diesel)

Manuals
M40 (4 spd)
M41 (4 spd + od)
M46 (4 +od)
M47 (5 speed)

Autos
Aw55 (3 spd)
BW55 (3spd)
Aw70 (4 spd)
Aw71 (4 spd)

and that's not even getting into the different injection systems and cam differences those various engines were equipped with.

The vast majority of cars left are going to be in the 86-93 range, they all had the B230f (with various injection setups) and could be had with M46/ M47 or AW70.

[rs4-380]

Wikipedia

problem with wikipedia is that it's worldwide.

Not all combos made it here.

[Broduski]

From the top of my head...

240/260:

B21A: Maybe? Carbed B21. Dunno if offered in US
B21F: N/A CIS
B21FT: Turbo CIS
B23F: N/A EFI
B230F: N/A EFI
B27/B28F. N/A CIS V6. Early cars, AVOID AT ALL COSTS

740/760

B230f: N/A EFI
B23FT: Turbo EFI, One year only
B230FT: Turbo all other years.
B280F: N/A EFI V6

940/960

B230F: N/A EFI
B230FT: Turbo
B6304S: 960 only, I6 DOHC

Auto Transmissions weren't too varied, early 240/260's had the BW35 and 55 3 speed auto. And all the later 240/7XX/9XX had the AW70/AW71.

The manuals were the M45 4 speed on the early 240s. M46 4 speed + OD on mid year 240s and 740s, The M47 was a true 5 speed in later 240s and 740s, some Turbo 7XX cars had the M47, Most had the M46.

Hope that helps, and I hope I didn't waste my time trying to think about everything when I could have just looked it up.

[Aonarch]

So basically a Volvo nerd thread.

[Numbersix]

Why, Jared. Just why.

Don't forget the D24T turbodiesel used in 4spd/OD MT and 4spdAT forms in the 740/760.

[Chapel]

quite a few. I'm not sure what it would take to put together an exhaustive list of combinations.

what are you looking for/to do that would require the list?

I'm trying to see which engines came with both auto and manual and which were Auto OR manual ONLY

I've never seen a 700 or 900 with a manual in the US either but wanted to know if it was ever available

as for why? I'm shopping...

[Chapel]

240 alone was

Engines
B20F (I4)
B21F (I4)
B21ft (turbo i4)
B23F (i4)
B230F (i4)
B27 (v6)
B28F (v6)
D24 (6 cyl diesel)

Manuals
M40 (4 spd)
M41 (4 spd + od)
M46 (4 +od)
M47 (5 speed)

Autos
Aw55 (3 spd)
BW55 (3spd)
Aw70 (4 spd)
Aw71 (4 spd)

and that's not even getting into the different injection systems and cam differences those various engines were equipped with.

The vast majority of cars left are going to be in the 86-93 range, they all had the B230f (with various injection setups) and could be had with M46/ M47 or AW70.

jeez, I never knew it was that complex.

[Chapel]

also, I should mention the 700s in general, not just the 740s... I forgot the 760s weren't ALL V6s (and I don't care about the V6s, so save yourself the trouble). Straight 6s I'm interested in though

[l88m22vette]

As an add-on, what kind of easy (essentially bolt-in) engines and transmissions work with, say, a 240? Or, what would be the best junkyard combo for reliability and power? No, I'm not talking about an LSx swap...

[Numbersix]

You could get a 740 N/A or Turbo with the M46 MT.

This was more common in earlier years, however I know you could get the 740 Turbo/MT combo in the refresh 740 Turbo (a friend has one, rotting away in his front yard).

[Numbersix]

As an add-on, what kind of easy (essentially bolt-in) engines and transmissions work with, say, a 240? Or, what would be the best junkyard combo for reliability and power? No, I'm not talking about an LSx swap...

B23FT/M47 would be my choice.

However, you can easily turbo the later cars that have LH 2.4 by adding the external components from a 740 Turbo.

[71DubBugBug]

turbo bricks might be a good place to look

lot of people are running t5 engines, im guessing its the 1.8t into the mk1/2s of the vw world for volvos


not much info but a couple of links:
http://forums.motivemag.com/showthread.php?4423658

[rs4-380]

jeez, I never knew it was that complex.

remember the 240 was produced for about 20 years. The 740 was it's replacement but it kept selling so well they kept it around.

As an add-on, what kind of easy (essentially bolt-in) engines and transmissions work with, say, a 240? Or, what would be the best junkyard combo for reliability and power? No, I'm not talking about an LSx swap...

A lot, there is ton of space in the engine bay so there isn't much that won't fit. I've seen the normal domestic V8's, 2jz's, late model vw TDI's, late model volvo 5 and 6 cylinders. Easiest one is to probably to just build a B230t from a 740.

[Chapel]

which ones are the 16v engines?
Did we get a NA 16v and a Turbo 16v here?

[Old Windy]

which ones are the 16v engines?
Did we get a NA 16v and a Turbo 16v here?

IIRC the 16v were NA and came on the 740 GLT with the 4spd + overdrive auto. Could somebody correct me if I'm wrong but did they make the V6 with a turbo? My folks used to have a 260 wagon and when that thing ran well it hauled wagon @ss really competivively for being a wagon brick.

[Broduski]

which ones are the 16v engines?
Did we get a NA 16v and a Turbo 16v here?

That was the B234F in the 740 GLE, no Turbo 16v here.

[Numbersix]

740GLE 16valve cars are extremely rare here. IIRC they are all auto (I've never seen one with a manual). That engine never seemed to catch fire with Volvo folk here, I think because the added complexity (interference design, balance shafts, timing belt tensioner that was somewhat failure prone).

I've seen a number of the cylinder heads adapted to the Ford Lima turbo cars (Merkurs, etc).

[Chapel]

That was the B234F in the 740 GLE, no Turbo 16v here.

Ok.

740GLE 16valve cars are extremely rare here. IIRC they are all auto (I've never seen one with a manual). That engine never seemed to catch fire with Volvo folk here, I think because the added complexity (interference design, balance shafts, timing belt tensioner that was somewhat failure prone).

I've seen a number of the cylinder heads adapted to the Ford Lima turbo cars (Merkurs, etc).

ah, ok, so 16vs are rare in this country... did not know that. So it seems like the 8V 4 cylinders are the ones I'll see most.

[Broduski]

740GLE 16valve cars are extremely rare here. IIRC they are all auto (I've never seen one with a manual). That engine never seemed to catch fire with Volvo folk here, I think because the added complexity (interference design, balance shafts, timing belt tensioner that was somewhat failure prone).

I've seen a number of the cylinder heads adapted to the Ford Lima turbo cars (Merkurs, etc).

the heads themselves definitely catch a pretty penny to Volvo people. I've seen them for $300+ on T-bricks. Makes me mad I never pulled the one I saw at pull-a-part for $50.

[Numbersix]

the heads themselves definitely catch a pretty penny to Volvo people. I've seen them for $300+ on T-bricks. Makes me mad I never pulled the one I saw at pull-a-part for $50.

Ouch. Yes, that is definitely a lost opportunity...although I wonder how available things like valves/lifters/cams/etc are for the 16v heads. I'd assume that motor was sold more widely in other markets but I've never researched it.

I always found it interesting that Volvo didn't turbo that motor in the US and/or use it more widely. Didn't seem to be used in large enough numbers to recoup the R&D costs. I suppose Volvo owners were shocked to learn they needed to replace the t-belt every 50k...that's a very un-Volvo like service interval.

[Old Windy]

the heads themselves definitely catch a pretty penny to Volvo people. I've seen them for $300+ on T-bricks. Makes me mad I never pulled the one I saw at pull-a-part for $50.

There still one around were I live. It does make a nice sound under acceleration.

[rs4-380]

Could somebody correct me if I'm wrong but did they make the V6 with a turbo?

no turbo v6's, no turbo 16v's. Neither the v6's or the 16v's were produced in large numbers and neither one is necessarily worth modifying (easier/cheaper to go with the 8v's). Same thing for the Diesels, all the "different" engines volvo did had their own significant issues. The last 7 years of the 240 were only available with the b230 for a reason.

[GolfVIDriver]

Don't forget Volvo 2.1, 2.3s, and the DOHCs were used in marine use as well:

[Chapel]

no turbo v6's, no turbo 16v's. Neither the v6's or the 16v's were produced in large numbers and neither one is necessarily worth modifying (easier/cheaper to go with the 8v's). Same thing for the Diesels, all the "different" engines volvo did had their own significant issues. The last 7 years of the 240 were only available with the b230 for a reason.

Good to know.

Though, if tempted to get a Volvo, I'm thinking I might just toss a V8 into it anyway

how are the straight sixes in the 960/S90?

[Numbersix]

how are the straight sixes in the 960/S90?

Good engines, overall. Later S90's recieved different cam profiles (IIRC) which dropped power from 201 to 181, but with a bump in low-end torque. Cars actually drive better under most conditions.

Achilles heel of the 6 is timing belts that snap. I see many 960s/S90's on Craigslist with "timing belt broke--needs engine repair".

[Live-Wire]

Good to know.

Though, if tempted to get a Volvo, I'm thinking I might just toss a V8 into it anyway

how are the straight sixes in the 960/S90?

The straight six feels modern, basically. It was one of the most modern engines available in the early 90's. Even the 'peakier' first gen camshafts result in 80% of torque throughout the rev range. I never found it was lacking in low end power... and the high rpm power was silky smooth. Loved the first gen engine in my 93' 960.

Yes yes... timing belts... who cares, they are dirt cheap and easy to do. Even at a dealer they aren't expensive. Since you have to do them so often (compared to other cars). You can easily skip the waterpump, tensioner and idler/rollers until the 3rd time the belt gets done.... just inspect all that stuff in between. My dad did the math, and 3 timing belt jobs on a 960 was cheaper then one timing belt job on a Volkswagen/Audi product... both ended up getting you the same distance... Plus Volvo extended the service life with better belts and components later on.

[Numbersix]

Yes yes... timing belts... who cares, they are dirt cheap and easy to do. Even at a dealer they aren't expensive. Since you have to do them so often (compared to other cars). You can easily skip the waterpump, tensioner and idler/rollers until the 3rd time the belt gets done.... just inspect all that stuff in between. My dad did the math, and 3 timing belt jobs on a 960 was cheaper then one timing belt job on a Volkswagen/Audi product... both ended up getting you the same distance... Plus Volvo extended the service life with better belts and components later on.

The issue is too many owners don't realize they should be done every 40-50k, rather than 80-100k miles. Hence why you see so many of them with dead engines.