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Author
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Topic: Volvo engine replacement
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LitebulbwithaFiero Member Posts: 1742 From: LaSalle, Michigan Registered: Jun 2008
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My friend has a 1982 Volvo wagon that he wants to keep. It is a diesel with a 5 speed. The engine only has 176k miles and needs a full rebuild which would cost $1k+. I am trying to talk him into getting a better engine, but I don't know what will fit. He really wants to keep it diesel. Any one know of a good swap for about the same price?IP: Logged |
1986 Fiero GT Member Posts: 2943 From: Lake View, NY USA Registered: Mar 2005
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Well...t'ain't diesel, but this would be my first choice.IP: Logged |
LitebulbwithaFiero Member Posts: 1742 From: LaSalle, Michigan Registered: Jun 2008
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Ya, I tried talking him into a sbc, but he really wants a diesel
The engine in it now is made by VW, but I don't know if a regular VW motor will fit in it.[This message has been edited by LitebulbwithaFiero (edited 02-08-2010).] IP: Logged |
87antuzzi Member Posts: 5567 From: two fat guys house. Registered: Feb 2009
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Engines that will fit into a volvo wagon. . B230 B230f B230ft 302 v8 Ls7 (volvette) Bla bla bla. Btw turbobricks.com and ipdusa.com are your friends  IP: Logged |
LitebulbwithaFiero Member Posts: 1742 From: LaSalle, Michigan Registered: Jun 2008
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| | | quote | Originally posted by 87antuzzi:
Engines that will fit into a volvo wagon. . B230 B230f B230ft 302 v8 Ls7 (volvette) Bla bla bla. Btw turbobricks.com and ipdusa.com are your friends  |
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If I am not mistaken, those all burn gas. He wants a Diesel engine This is the same friend that put a 6.9L Ford Diesel engine in a Chevy van, because he likes diesels.IP: Logged |
82-T/A [At Work] Member Posts: 5118 From: Cooper City, Florida USA Registered: Aug 2002
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Well... if I remember correctly, Volvo made a vehicle called the 166 which I think had a straight 6 diesel in it. Good luck finding one of those, but I think they made them never the less.
Unless he wants to do some crazy fabrication, he's pretty much out of luck. There's not going to be anything cheaper than simply rebuilding that engine (or finding a replacement).
Oldsmobile made a reverse rotation V8 that was diesel powered... you could probably try to squeeze that in there.
The VOLVO motors though... should last literally forever. My parents had a 1983 Volvo 240 Turbo Wagon and we sold it with 176k miles on it... still ran great. The 4 cyl gas engine had "like new" compression in all cyls... (like 123-125psi per cyl if I remember correctly). IP: Logged |
87antuzzi Member Posts: 5567 From: two fat guys house. Registered: Feb 2009
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I didn't see he wanted to stay diesel. Cheapest choice is rebuild it. IP: Logged |
NEPTUNE Member Posts: 7642 From: ORLANDO Registered: Aug 2001
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IIRC, Ford small block V8s are a common, inexpensive swap into these cars. Google it for more info.
------------------  [This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 02-08-2010).] IP: Logged |
LitebulbwithaFiero Member Posts: 1742 From: LaSalle, Michigan Registered: Jun 2008
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It currently has the straight 6 VW diesel engine in it. It died after 176k miles. So it didn't last forever. I told him that a small block 350 would fit, but he wants to keep it diesel. Fabrication wise, he is capable of making motor mounts and what not. Like I said he installed a 6.9L in a chevy van. I would just want something that would bolt up to his trans. Mainly just trying to help a friend out. He is wanting to spend 1000 plus dollars to rebuild a diesel engine that didn't even last 180,000 miles and makes no power.
And neptune, don't give me none of that "google it" stuff, as you did not even read it to know what I was asking.[This message has been edited by LitebulbwithaFiero (edited 02-08-2010).] IP: Logged |
NEPTUNE Member Posts: 7642 From: ORLANDO Registered: Aug 2001
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| | | quote | Originally posted by LitebulbwithaFiero:
And neptune, don't give me none of that "google it" stuff, as you did not even read it to know what I was asking.
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I was only trying to help.
My bad, You can be absolutely sure that I won't make that mistake again, mister 720 posts.[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 02-08-2010).] IP: Logged |
LitebulbwithaFiero Member Posts: 1742 From: LaSalle, Michigan Registered: Jun 2008
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Ok, sorry. You must be superior since you have a higher post count. My sincerest apologies. IP: Logged |
twofatguys Member Posts: 9546 From: Standing above the hole I have 87antuzzi in. Out of lotion. Registered: Jul 2004
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Girls Girls, is the Mydol truck running late today?

BradIP: Logged |
Kekipi Member Posts: 1452 From: Kapaa, HI Registered: Apr 2004
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If it were me, and it isn't, thank bajebus. If he asked me, and he didn't, I would tell him to put a late 5.7, low mileage LT1, 4l60e and be done with it and if he wants to use a oil burner I'm sure someone will listen to him, Not me. life is too short.....IP: Logged |
86GT3.4DOHC Member Posts: 9267 From: Marion Ohio Registered: Apr 2004
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| | | quote | Originally posted by LitebulbwithaFiero:
It currently has the straight 6 VW diesel engine in it. It died after 176k miles. So it didn't last forever. I told him that a small block 350 would fit, but he wants to keep it diesel. Fabrication wise, he is capable of making motor mounts and what not. Like I said he installed a 6.9L in a chevy van. I would just want something that would bolt up to his trans. Mainly just trying to help a friend out. He is wanting to spend 1000 plus dollars to rebuild a diesel engine that didn't even last 180,000 miles and makes no power.
And neptune, don't give me none of that "google it" stuff, as you did not even read it to know what I was asking.
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'dead' is an incredibly vauge assertation. Ive seen 'dead' engines that just had a leaking oring, or 'dead' engines that just needed a MAP sensor. Ive made a lot of money off 'dead' engines.
Now it blew a hole through the side of the block, thats dead, its got 150/20/150/160 compression, its ... well sorta dead, that really just needs a refresh.
Maintained proberly, deisel engines will run for dang near forever, but that also depends on driving habits. Deisels are stronger, but their logevity is very dependant on their treatment.
So what is actually wrong with it, that will probably make you decision a lot easier, either its dead, and you have to find another option, or it just needs fixed and you can weigh that cost.
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LitebulbwithaFiero Member Posts: 1742 From: LaSalle, Michigan Registered: Jun 2008
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Like I sort of stated, it needs a full rebuild, rings bearings gaskets, but the real kicker is it nneeds to be bored at least .010'' over, so now it needs oversized pistons too. The engine is hard to get parts for, and in the end it will cost over $1000 to rebuild it. Then he will still en up with a crappy 80's diesel that were way under powered and don't have the long lives everyone thinks of when they hear diesel.
He bought a compression checker, but it didn't do any good because he could not start the car up to warm it up.IP: Logged |
86GT3.4DOHC Member Posts: 9267 From: Marion Ohio Registered: Apr 2004
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How can you know it needs rings and bored if you cant do a compression check?
None of those 'needs' listed would keep it from starting. Sounds to me like there is another issue at hand, maybe fuel or electronic controls.
The only reason it would need bored at 176k would be if material went through the combustion path or it was chronically run low on oil. The only way to verify the need is with a compression check or visual inspection.
You also dont need to have an engine running to do a basic compression check, just crank it over, that will get you reasonably close, and if nothing else just compare across cyls. If they are all about the same, and not stuipid low, its probably fine, or at least fine enough to spend the time getting the engine running.
Sounds to me like your friend has drivability problems caused by a control system and he just wants to junk the engine rather than spend the time to fix it. IP: Logged |
dsnover Member Posts: 764 From: Cherryville, PA USA Registered: Apr 2006
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1000 for a rebuild of a diesel isn't bad. What about fitting a Mercedes diesel in there? You can buy a whole running rusty one for not too much $. Still, by the time you add all the fabrication costs, it will still be less expensive just to rebuild what's there.IP: Logged |
LitebulbwithaFiero Member Posts: 1742 From: LaSalle, Michigan Registered: Jun 2008
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| | | quote | Originally posted by 86GT3.4DOHC:
How can you know it needs rings and bored if you cant do a compression check?
None of those 'needs' listed would keep it from starting. Sounds to me like there is another issue at hand, maybe fuel or electronic controls.
The only reason it would need bored at 176k would be if material went through the combustion path or it was chronically run low on oil. The only way to verify the need is with a compression check or visual inspection.
You also dont need to have an engine running to do a basic compression check, just crank it over, that will get you reasonably close, and if nothing else just compare across cyls. If they are all about the same, and not stuipid low, its probably fine, or at least fine enough to spend the time getting the engine running.
Sounds to me like your friend has drivability problems caused by a control system and he just wants to junk the engine rather than spend the time to fix it. |
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We did the compression check with it cold. They were all within 20 lbs but 100 lbs low. This doesn't really tell you anything because the engine is suppose to be warmed up before doing a compression check.
We already pulled the engine out. When my friend pulled the pistons, 4 of them had broken rings. After he pulled the pistons, he measured the cylinders.
When he bought the car it drove fine, but only because the guy already had it to temp. The problem with it was starting it.
He wants to rebuild the engine, but I was the one trying to talk him into getting something better.
Heres his photobuckets for pictures http://s108.photobucket.com/home/bluevanacd2005
Oh, and did I forget to mention the blowby?
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