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volvo 4 cylinder engine and box

Posted by BATESPEED

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volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #1
BATESPEED garry bates the bonny black isle, United Kingdom 1975 MG MGB GT	Posted: March 07, 2012 11:04AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 25

has anyone on here ever put a volvo 4 cylinder engine and box into an MGB ? im scratching my head trying to work out a low budget /easily available in the uk /worthwhile rearwheel drive engine box combo that would fit without too much work............... my experience of volvo engines is that they go on for ever, available in 2.0, 2.1 and 2.3 in both carb and fuel injection.(and turbo)guises. easy to work on, torquey, did i mention they go on for ever ?

also they are used to lugging about big heavy saloon cars (a 740 volvo must weigh a helluva lot more than a MGB for instance) so would probably go quite well in a comparitivley light mgb.

any thoughts ?

i havent got my BGT on the road yet, so i,m just day dreaming at the moment , you know how it is.............

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #2
Bill Young Kansas City, MO, USA 1952 MG TD 1959 MG MGA 1500 1973 Lotus Europa 1973 MG Midget "Half Asp Or Frank" 1998 Jaguar XK8 Convertible	Posted: March 07, 2012 01:29PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 4,649

Many years ago Volvo engines were fairly popular swaps into the MG T series cars. Should do fine in a B, about the same size as the orignal engine and about the same weight, but larger displacement. The only way you'll know for sure is to take some measurments of the engine and trans assembly and compare them to the original lump.

Bill Young
'73 Midget
'59 MGA

There is a fine line between a 'hobby' and 'mental illness'.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #3
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA	Posted: March 07, 2012 01:35PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,354

Newer DOHC Volvo would be nice.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #4
1744 Bill Guzman California, USA 1973 MG MGB GT "Green GT" 1974 MG MGB "Punking"	Posted: March 07, 2012 05:43PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 4,821

Ford Duratec the same engine as Volvo???? Just guessing, I heard something like that.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #5
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA	Posted: March 07, 2012 07:16PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,354

Bill, Some newer Volvo's do indeed use Ford motors. I meant the ones before them 89-99 or so DOHC 4,5 and 6 modular engines. Heads were designed by Porsche. 89-91 740 head is swapped on Ford 2.3 four as an upgrade.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #6
mg man 75 maurice sallee Campbellsville, Central Kentucky, USA 1976 MG Midget	Posted: March 07, 2012 07:20PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,617

I know a t-5 can be put behind them. Second if can find a Volvo DOHC from the about 90. Can turbo it and be impressive. This is it in the car, yes it is tilted to driver side. They are using these on the Ford 2.3 engine. Head bolts do line up.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/mgman75/Volvo%20head/08-23-08_0919.jpg
This is head alone. I got one just in case.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/mgman75/Volvo%20head/100_6142.jpg
Now some of the 740 volvo came with turbo from factory. They are in junk yards at reasonable prices. This one of them heads on a Ford 2.3.
If remember correct the oil pan is in rear of motor so that should help. If can find a donar car or find one out of car and measure. Maurice

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #7
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA	Posted: March 07, 2012 09:52PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,354

Maurice, I forgot you had a Turbo 2.3 and didn't know you had the Volvo head! Thanks for the pics. I think the 89-99 Volvo should be a popular swap.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #8
BATESPEED garry bates the bonny black isle, United Kingdom 1975 MG MGB GT	Posted: March 08, 2012 02:58AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 25

i found this photo of a sectioned mgb engine bay, you have probably seen it before, but it shows how tight it is between the sump/front pulley and the crossmember. it explains why the engine has to come out at such a steep angle (to clear the crossmember)
if it didnt have the shallow part at the front of the sump you wouldent get the engine out without removing the crossmember.

it explains how the crossmember has to be notched to fit some engines.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #9
wombat G. W. Hardy Texas, USA 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Geraldine" 1972 MG MGB "None"	Posted: March 08, 2012 06:34AM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 140

Never tried in an MGB but can state that it makes a killer MG TD motor. Only problem was with the freer reving Volvo, the TD seemed a bit short geared with the standard rear end gear ratio. I'm thinking we found a 4.3 or 4.1 to 1 ratio eventually for the rear end and that gave us some nice 60 plus MPH cruising speed without being too busy sounding, AND still plenty of acceleration. At first glance, and with some shiny aluminum valve cover and side plate covers, it even looks correct. Has the carbs on the correct side and such.

Wombat

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #10
mg man 75 maurice sallee Campbellsville, Central Kentucky, USA 1976 MG Midget	Posted: March 08, 2012 05:13PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,617

Jim Nickols Presently running a rebuilt 2.3 from local speed shop. Bought cheap 500 dollars. I bought the Volvo DOHC head cheap, I also bought a 2.3 Volvo SOHC head it also fits a 2.3 ford so maybe a replacement in future. It is already setup for turbo. [Valve etc]. Maurice
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/mgman75/Volvo%20head/100_6271.jpg
If want more info on this type setup. PM me. I don't want to steal this thread.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #11
denvermgb Brad Carson Aurora, Colorado, USA 1975 MG MGB V8 Conversion	Posted: March 08, 2012 06:22PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,050

There was a Midget with a late 80's Volvo engine/tranny for sale here in Colorado for some time. The conversion looked a little rough, the exhaust was run directly out of the front fender and down the side. I haven't seen it in a while.

Brad

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #12
mg man 75 maurice sallee Campbellsville, Central Kentucky, USA 1976 MG Midget	Posted: March 08, 2012 07:25PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,617

Found this picture label MGB Volvo engine. No engine detail. Maurice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daviscruise-in/5018130206/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daviscruise-in/5017521423/
You can open a account on flickr. Then go to daviscruise-in link above and then send PM. Maybe he has contact info on that car. Worth a try. Maurice

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2012 07:33PM by mg man 75.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #13
timfred Tim Frederick Berkeley, CA, USA 1971 MG MGB GT	Posted: March 13, 2012 09:53PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 243

If you are in the UK, check out http://www.rwdmotorsport.com

They make a bunch of bellhousings to convert popular 4-cyl engines to popular RWD transmissions.

I've been eyeing their bellhousing that converts a Vauxhall 2.0XE engine to T5 tranny. Except here in the US I'd use a Saab engine (same bolt pattern). They also have them to Type 9 trannys, which are more plentiful (cheap) there.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #14
BATESPEED garry bates the bonny black isle, United Kingdom 1975 MG MGB GT	Posted: March 15, 2012 03:24AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 25

thanks tim, i havent come across that site before, its very interesting.

but i was thinking about a volvo engine because it has its OWN rear wheel drive gearbox, its all in my head at the moment, i have to get the gt on the road first.......................... im just weighing up the options of a cheap rwd conversion thats eisily available from scrapyards in the uk.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #15
mgv8glen Glenn Towery Dover De., USA	Posted: March 15, 2012 07:14AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 2,328

I would like to know more on the Ford 2.3 with the Volvo head, I would like to go this way, I have a 2.3 Ford motor & Ford T-5 5sp. & I am sure I can find the Volve head. I would love to build this package with more info.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #16
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA	Posted: March 15, 2012 12:08PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,354

Glenn,The head you want is 89-91 B234 out of a 740 GLE or 960. Do a Google search on Volvo head on 2.3, Check car-part.com and EBay. Speedway Motors race catalog has lots of 2.3 Hi Performance stuff. PM mg man 75 (Maurice) in thread above for more info.

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #17
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA	Posted: March 15, 2012 12:41PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,354

Glenn, Here is a good link: http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/2-3l-tech/164926-putting-b234f-head-2-3l.html

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #18
mg man 75 maurice sallee Campbellsville, Central Kentucky, USA 1976 MG Midget	Posted: March 15, 2012 06:07PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,617

Basic info looks like copy from here.
http://www.merkurtech.com/merkurtech/techarticles/item045.php
Warning this is not a simple swap. Custom intake, exhaust manifold, most doing this do it for more air flow thru head. Now a place to search till your hearts desire. Words used. "Volvo DOHC"
http://forum.turboford.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=search_tng;d=results;record=2456002-190403-T3K6;result_start=0
I got the head as spare for my car, eithere the MGB or Mustang.
Now a another thought is to use the Volvo SOHC. Advantgages, already a turbo head, proper valves, turbo exhaust manifold, etc. Now some links.
http://forum.turboford.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=026817
My computer was hijacked and lost lots of link to this. But just PM if I can help. Mauric

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Re: volvo 4 cylinder engine and box #19
TKMad Tyler Madia Thousand Oaks, USA	Posted: March 15, 2012 07:14PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 748

Here is a Folvo in a BMW 2002.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,364320/

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