Wizard064
Hello
I have a 1985 240 GLE with the BF23/AW70 combo. I have just purchased a 1989 240 fitted with a BF230/AW70 for spares. I'm planning on changing the front sheet metal over. When I drove it home I noticed how much better the 1989 went compared to the 1985 so I am thinking about changing the motors over as well including the fuel injection and all accessories. Is there anything that would not be interchangeable between the two? I am assuming the later model motor and transmission should bolt straight in.
Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Thanks
John
Vee_Que
Hello. The front sheet metal except for the welded in scuttle panel below the windscreen and the bonnet is actually the same as your 85' front end...
Everything will swap from the 89 to the 85, but is there any reason you want to do it over getting the other car on the road?
Wizard064
Hi, so it sounds like all I need to do is change the bonnet and grille to get the sleeker flatter front look of later model.
I'm not going to fix up the 1989 model as it has rust around the windscreens and some damage on the rear quarter. I have done all the suspension on the 1985 GLE as well thanks to DVS so I don't want to go to the hassle of changing all that over.
Thanks
John
Angus242164
Your '85, unless previously altered, will have a B230E, which is pretty closely related to the later B230F, so aside from the engine change itself, the main conversion you'd be carrying out is removing the K-Jet mechanical fuel injection and breakerless ignition system, and replacing it with the B230F's LH-Jetronic 2.4 EFI, and EZK ignition system.
To do this you'll need to be reasonably skilled with auto electrics, as you'll need to remove and dissect the '89's main wiring harness and separate the wiring that's associated with the EFI and ignition systems, form them into their own separate harnesses, and install them into the '85.
There aren't a huge number of wires involved, and it's not too difficult IMO, but is a bit time consuming, and definitely not a "plug and play" conversion.
As far as the actual engine/trans swap goes, everything will bolt in, the engine bay and floorpan areas are identical on both cars, and the engines are externally identical aside from the different intake manifold and associated EFI/ignition bits.
The bonnet from the '89 should bolt straight on, but may look a bit funny where it meets the scuttle panel below the windscreen, due to the different profile on the vents there.
A neater option may be to get a completely flat nosed bonnet from a '75-'82 model, and a flat "eggcrate" style grille from an '81-'82 model, ie: make it look the same as an '81-'82 model 240.
Wizard064
Thanks Angus
Is there any documentation available to show how to modify the wiring? I had a closer look today at the differences in the scuttle panel between to two models and I see what you mean by looking funny. I'll have to keep my eye out for an earlier model bonnet and grille now.
Angus242164
Working out exactly how to modify the wiring is probably best done by sitting down with wiring diagrams for the two models side by side and working out exactly what needs to be added to the older car, although there may be some threads about it on Turbobricks, it'd be a good idea to do a quick search there.
Slowbrick
I've done the Kjet to LH2.4 and while it still isnt running completely "right" it does run well. I can tell you that it isnt especially hard but you do need to be able to read a wiring diagram. Your car being an 85 will be easier than the 77 I just did because in the late 70's wiring diagrams didnt mean shit and it really just came down to working with a multimeter to make it work. LH2.4 is definitely the one to go for if you do decide to swap. Or perhaps another option is to get your KJet working better?
A_Volvo_Driver
Slowbrick;32225 wroteOr perhaps another option is to get your KJet working better?
Angus recently looked at my KJet and it is running a lot better. I would recommend that you service the KJet to see if it really does require a replacement.
egads (she/her)
Kjet on the b230e does go bloody hard. If you are going for factory stock power it would be tonnes easier to get and keep the kjet working.
Wizard064
Thanks for all the advice, it's really got me thinking.
I had the injectors overhauled by Rudi at R&L Auto Repairs in Kingswood in Sydney. Rudi is pretty well known around here as a Volvo expert. When he was doing the injectors he suggested it would be better to go to the later model injection, that's what got me thinking about it.
My car pings a lot when under load. I have to run it on 98 octane premium unleaded or it goes like a slug. I've been told that the standard compression is to high for the pump fuel that is available. Does anyone have any thoughts on that? One thing I read somewhere was to fit 2 head gaskets to lower the compression. I'm just wondering if it is worth the hassle to upgrade to the later model motor and injection or is there something I can do with mine to get it running well?
Angus242164
Your car should run fine on 95 octane fuel, without ever pinging. The first thing to check is the ignition timing, it may be advanced too far. You may also have a vacuum leak, causing the engine to suck in unmetered air under load, leaning out the mixture and causing pinging. It's also possible that somebody has fiddled with the mixture adjustment on the fuel distributor.
The compression isn't particularly high by modern standards, the car was designed to run on the old leaded "super" petrol which was roughly 95 octane I believe.
Fitting two head gaskets to lower compression is a very "oldschool" trick that usually introduces more issues than it solves, there are better ways to lower compression, but in your case it isn't required.
volvodriverman
Could be failing fuel pumps or fuel filter blockage too, I get ping in the wagon when it's under 1/4 tank.
Vee_Que
Something that would be causing your issues is too much ignition advance if it's pinging. Reducing it will help that, @dauntless has a 82' 244GL that pings unless he uses united 98 octane fuel IIRC, but he has very advanced ignition timing...
Philia_Bear
I own and previously daily drove an 85 244 b230e/m45 combo
Thing was about the best running Kjet car ever and pulled better then most any other stock na 240 I have been in
I would just have Kjet tuned up and keep it
Swapping to a manual is going to keep you happier in the long run
Otherwise find a 93 240 and sell off the 2 you have
Wizard064
Angus242164;32142 wrote
The bonnet from the '89 should bolt straight on, but may look a bit funny where it meets the scuttle panel below the windscreen, due to the different profile on the vents there.
A neater option may be to get a completely flat nosed bonnet from a '75-'82 model, and a flat "eggcrate" style grille from an '81-'82 model, ie: make it look the same as an '81-'82 model 240.
Thanks Angus. I took your advice and picked up a flat nosed bonnet from a 1980 245 and a eggcrate grille that was sitting on the bonnet of the next car at the wreckers. I fitted the bonnet but it didn't have the bonnet latch on it so I put my 1985 one on it only to find it is too long and won't allow the bonnet to close properly. Can I just cut my one down or should I track down an original?
Thanks
Angus242164
I'm pretty sure I have an original flat bonnet latch here that you could have cheaply, otherwise cutting yours down will also work, it's only the length of the lever that differs.
Barry_Lyall
Angus242164;32142 wroteYour '85, unless previously altered, will have a B230E, which is pretty closely related to the later B230F, so aside from the engine change itself, the main conversion you'd be carrying out is removing the K-Jet mechanical fuel injection and breakerless ignition system, and replacing it with the B230F's LH-Jetronic 2.4 EFI, and EZK ignition system.
To do this you'll need to be reasonably skilled with auto electrics, as you'll need to remove and dissect the '89's main wiring harness and separate the wiring that's associated with the EFI and ignition systems, form them into their own separate harnesses, and install them into the '85.
There aren't a huge number of wires involved, and it's not too difficult IMO, but is a bit time consuming, and definitely not a "plug and play" conversion.
As far as the actual engine/trans swap goes, everything will bolt in, the engine bay and floorpan areas are identical on both cars, and the engines are externally identical aside from the different intake manifold and associated EFI/ignition bits.
The bonnet from the '89 should bolt straight on, but may look a bit funny where it meets the scuttle panel below the windscreen, due to the different profile on the vents there.
A neater option may be to get a completely flat nosed bonnet from a '75-'82 model, and a flat "eggcrate" style grille from an '81-'82 model, ie: make it look the same as an '81-'82 model 240.
Barry_Lyall
Hi Angus I am looking for B230 engine with fair mileage are you selling yours ?
Barry_Lyall
