Just recently took apart a b230 engine to see if it could be a worthy candidate for a refresh. It is a b230 with rear thrust bearing design but for the life of me I can not find information on what year/type b230 this is.

From the pictures its evident she has piston slap pretty bad plus no crosshatch to be found but the bearings and crank look okay to me. I'm hoping there might be a chance I can go 1st OS b230ft pistons but I cannot do so without any specs to reference. I have a green Haynes book but there is no mention of this design engine which leads me to believe it is a later model b230 but I could be wrong.

I'm diy until a certain extent and measuring up engine components is something I have yet to do.

Just wondering if anyone has any specifications on this engine/knows where to get them so I can have them handy for the local engine guy to look at.

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Looks like a K block - 63mm mains, rear thrust, not pre-equipped for piston oil squirters - from a 740, given the RH engine mount in the pic.

You will see a "K" cast into the block on the LH side (inlet side), in the general area of the knock sensor.
e.g., in white circle:

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K blocks were used from about 1988 until 1991, when it was replaced with the L block. The L blocks from 1993 on (with round toothed timing gears) were either equipped with oil squirters, or pre-drilled for them.

Depending on your K block's manufacture date, it may have 8mm conrods. 13mm conrods are a direct swap (same big end bearing size).

I recently ordered a set of first oversize B230F NA pistons and rings from Skandix, after CVI informed me they didn't expect any new stock from their supplier until June. You may have better luck with B230FT pistons.

All rear main B230 blocks use the same big end and main bearing kits. B21 / B23 and centre thrust B230 blocks use different bearings. Timing belts for K blocks are generally square toothed, and not the Penta type.

530 heads from K blocks are often fitted with the small (early) type of valve springs. FCP offer a kit (p/n 271793 with the new medium spring (p/n 9135130), plus suitable upper and lower retainer washers, for about $11.19 USD per kit (8 needed). Just checked - they're a bit cheaper now. Note the 531 heads have different springs and washers/retainers, but both heads use the same keepers.

For my Project GoaT engine, I'm using genuine seals for the rear main, the front crank seal, the aux shaft seal, and the oil pump 'O' rings (which AFAIC are critical), and either Continental or the Victor Reinz kit for the other gaskets and seals. Gasket kits for the centre thrust and rear thrust engines are the same, AFAIK.

The Oz Volvo Tech Archive has the Green Book for reconditioning the B230 engines, where torque settings, measurements, etc may be found.

    Major Ledfoot thanks for the speedy reply. I also like how the block in your photo has weight reduction near the crank…

    No k stamped into the block however on mine. Odd or just different area different cast scenario?

    Sometimes the 'K' is well hidden underneath a whole lot of sludge.

    If you can't see the 'K' cast into the block (and the block is clean...) double check your crank's main bearings diameter.

    Centre thrust engines have journals of 55mm diameter and all have 8mm rods from factory.

    Rear thrust engines have journals of 63mm diameter.

    What’s the engine number?

    Or any number on the right side lower part near the oil pan?

    There should be a date cast in the side of it, along with a big K if it is a K block.

    Regan After actually having a good look it turns out it's a rear thrust b230f

    The pic shows it's stamped B230F, and that's all.
    Generally for later B230 blocks, the stamped numbers appear as
    [engine type] [engine part number] [engine serial number]
    e.g. B230FB 6821027 02209

    What is the diameter of the crankshaft main bearings? If 55mm, it is a centre thust engine.