B230 compatibility? ('85 and '92)

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by robert.st-louis, Aug 28, 2005.

  1. I got a good deal on a used engine delivered to my house with AW70
    attached. It was described as coming out of a '91 240 wagon, and
    having only 100,000 kms on it. I have a '92 with over 300,000 kms so
    figured a good spare engine and transmission may prove useful in coming
    years.
    Anyway, on closer inspection of the engine, it appears to be from an
    '85 Volvo (that year is stamped on the top right rear of the block).
    The instrument cluster that came with the engine (along with a load of
    other parts that were stripped off the donor before it was junked - it
    was hopelessly rusted) shows 98,000 kms on the odometer, and on the
    back of the cluster is the date 1985. So all points to this
    engine/tranny indeed having that low mileage but coming from an '85
    240.
    Question is: should I need to replace my present '92 engine with this
    one at one time, are the two engines compatible enough? (They're
    both non-turbo B230's obviously.) I assume the transmissions should be
    fully compatible (both AW70's).
    Thanks.
     
    robert.st-louis, Aug 28, 2005
    #1
  2. Just read on a site that in '89 the B230's were equipped with "New fuel
    system with integrated ignition system (LH-Jetronic version 2.4)", so I
    suppose if I wanted to use the '85 (with LH 2.2), I'd have to swap the
    injection/ignition system from the '92 to the '85... darn...
     
    robert.st-louis, Aug 28, 2005
    #2
  3. robert.st-louis

    James Sweet Guest

    That shouldn't really be an issue, it's easier to leave the fuel/ignition
    system in the car when you remove the engine anyway. It's only a couple of
    bolts to remove the whole fuel rail assembly.
     
    James Sweet, Aug 28, 2005
    #3
  4. Oh that's good to know, thanks!!
     
    robert.st-louis, Aug 28, 2005
    #4
  5. robert.st-louis

    User Guest

    You'll need to transfer the tailshaft housing from you car to the 85
    trans. The 85 had a cable driven speedo, yours should be electronic.

    On the injection/ignition side you may have to change the distributor.
    And as was said the fuel injection is completely different. You may also
    have to change the coolant temperature sensor. The engine harnesses on
    pre 87 cars were notoriusly bad so you may oopt to change that over as
    well. The 85 engine has different thrust bearings on the crank shaft,
    the piston oiling is slightly different, and the timing belt pullies may
    be the round top design (quieter)than the square top on the 85, but
    otherwise the engines are mechanicaly identical.

    Bob
     
    User, Aug 29, 2005
    #5
  6. robert.st-louis

    James Sweet Guest


    It's best to, though I've seen mechanical speedo trannies put in electronic
    speedo cars, the fitting is simply left disconnected.
     
    James Sweet, Aug 29, 2005
    #6
  7. Thanks for the additional tips Bob and James. Whether I ever need this
    engine time will tell, but it's good to know that I can get it to work
    in the 92 with those necessary substitutions. For now, I'll limit
    myself to swapping the starter (the one on my 92 is starting to sound a
    little noisy so may be on the go - 310,000 kms), and having a look at
    cam wear on the 85 engine, as well as health of seals etc.
    I'll disconnect the tranny and engine on the 85, which will make
    storing the stuff in my garage easier, and allow me to check the back
    end of the engine etc. I can practice taking the timing belt off and
    on, which will help when I need to do it on the running 92 in a couple
    of years.

    With the boxes of stripped parts from the 85, I also got all the power
    window motors, windshield wiper motors, windshield washer pumps, and
    lots of other engine bay and interior paraphernalia. I assume most of
    this will be compatible with what I have in my 92. I also got all the
    light bezels, but I gather from information I've read on the net that
    there may be slight differences between 85 and 92? Also got a good
    grille, and a new-looking rad (the plastic type though).

    I was also fortunate to pick up a set of nice 14" Volvo alloy wheels
    for a good price, which I'll clean up, paint, and stick my summer tires
    on. The stock wheels will get the winter tires.

    I suppose that with all this stuff, I'm now fairly committed to Volvo
    ownership! :)
     
    robert.st-louis, Aug 29, 2005
    #7
  8. robert.st-louis

    James Sweet Guest


    In North American models the front end sheetmetal changed significantly in
    '86, so fenders, hood, lights, grill, bumper and any other cosmetic bits
    from that area are different on an '85.
     
    James Sweet, Aug 29, 2005
    #8
  9. Um, too bad... Oh well, there's always Ebay for that stuff...
     
    robert.st-louis, Aug 29, 2005
    #9
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