740 2.4 Turbo Diesel

After 500,000 miles the camshaft has broken on my 1990 Volvo Diesel Estate
(Converted to a Pick-Up in 1999)
Does anyone know how much work is involved in fitting a petrol engine as a
replacement? Is the wiring loom the same? What other problems exist?

 

Are you one of the two converted pickup owners in the UK VOC? If so why not
ask me for help. I am in the VOC for that purpose and can point you in the
right direction for a complete head replacement to 1993-on standard.

For petrol conversion the fuel tank will need a complete in-tank pump
installation with wiring and you will need a complete main fuel pump with
filter on it's mounting tray (goes under car passenger side floor (RHD),
also with associated wiring and fuel relay. It is not an easy task as you
will also need an ECU and ICU, Ignition power stage, coil and engine looms.
You will need to swap the air filter and battery housings with associated
hosing changes and wiring change.

Either get a refurbished 1993+ head with slightly longer cambelt and fit it
to your engine, a complete engine from 1993+, or buy my 15,000 mile block
and fit a new head (if any damage to your piston crowns). I also have a ZF
gearbox to suit if needed.

Possible cost of petrol conversion is in order of £2000 (DIY basis). Look in
Exchange & Mart for heads/complete engines (around £1000 including fitting,
£400 for head only).

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

 

You'd pretty much need to buy a whole wrecked car with the engine you
want to do that sort of conversion easily. Are the Diesel motors hard to
find? I don't think I'd try to convert from one to the other.

 

Thanks Peter, yes I am the owner of the White (H32 FRT) pick-up, and the
1990 Blue limousine amongst others, and am a member of both the VOC and
VEC. Both cars regularly attend both the VOC and VEC nationals

When I first had a problem with this diesel back in 2003, there seemed to
be no help or advice from the VOC, indeed I got the impression that having
a diesel was frowned upon, hence i went elsewhere for advice. No offence
intended.
I would actually prefer to keep the pick-up as a diesel, but these engines
are very rare.
Regards, Colin VOC14238

 

Colin, I expect that you were not able to contact me in 2003. I have had my
945 turbodiesel since 2001, and have built up a clientele of over 100 diesel
engined members on my register alone.

It would be well worthwhile finding one of the refurbished engine dealers
who advertise in Exchange & Mart, who will supply a suitable engine, or just
a rebuilt head for your car(s). If you go for a post 1993 engine (or head)
you will then be in a better position to use 100% Biodiesel and tune the
engine. Mine produces around the 185 bhp mark still at around 35 mpg. These
VW/Audi diesels can be tuned to produce similar or better results than
chipping. VW themselves got 225 bhp, albeit with a change of camshaft to
improve the transfer flow characteristic of the engine. The new cam enabled
them to get an extra 15 bhp on top of the 210 bhp they achieved with pump
tuning. There is not a lot to go wrong with a diesel if you look after it.
They may give a few obscure reasons for not starting but the Green Book has
a comprehensive fault finding section.

Is the VEC still running ok? I heard that there was a problem for the
secretary which limited his ability to reply to people with enquiries. I
have been trying to join them for a long time. Perhaps you could let me have
the contact details, for which I would be grateful.

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).