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740/760 engines available?[ALL/1998] posted by Michael McBroom on
Friday, 25 April 1997, at 3:17 a.m.
Hi all,
I'm interested in buying a 740 or 760 wagon, but would like to know a bit more about the various engine options that were available for either of the models. I know there is an SOHC 2.3L 4 cyl, both normally aspirated and turbocharged, but I understand there was also a 16V DOHC 4 cylinder, and at least two flavors of V6's available. Today, I was told that the earlier V6 was not made by Volvo, but by Renault, and to stay away from this one.
I guess I would like to know from those of you who have more experience at this than I do which are the best power plant choices. Myself, I'm leaning more toward a turbocharged model, probably somewhere in the 1987 to 1991 range, but I would appreciate any feedback you would care to offer.
Best,
Michael McBroom
Re: 740/760 engines available?[ALL/1998] posted by Uri on
Saturday, 26 April 1997, at 2:46 a.m.
My dad drives a 1990 740 GLE wagon 16-valve with a 4-speed + OD manual transmission. The performance is quite good, nearly as powerful as the turbo, and the extra valves make a sweet "machine sound." The car has been very reliable, but it's especially important to keep up with timing belt changes (every 50K) on this engine, as a broken belt could do serious damage.
This would be a great buy, but the 16-valve + manual combination will be hard to find.
Re: 740/760 engines available?[ALL/1998] posted by Michael "Mic" Jue on
Monday, 28 April 1997, at 7:16 p.m.
Depends on the years you are looking at...
All of the engines available in the 740 or 760 are 2.3L SOHC with the exception of the '89-'90 (I believe) 16v 2.3L SOHC engine (GLE only) and some of the early 760 models (circa '84 or so) with the PRV (Peugeot Renault Volvo) V6. (That's the engine that most will tell you to stay away from...not merely because they are unreliable or anything but mostly because nobody really likes to work on them...parts availability is spotty as well.)
If you are serious about wanting the turbo engine, I would recommend a later model such as a '91 or later if budget permits. The reason for this is that while the engine is the same B230FT turbo engine of the earlier years, the wagons used a smaller turbine Mitsubishi turbo which offered better spool up than the early Garrett T3 units.
Another plus for the newer models, electric everything is part of the Level II (turbos all got level II) trim package here in the U.S. (Actually, all 87.5+ turbos got electric everything and airbags but I recommend the '91+ for the reason above.) Of course, you will pay a little more for a '91+ car but I think if you plan to keep it a while, it's probably worthwhile.
If you are bent on performance, which it sounds like you might be, your best bet is to stay with the 740T model rather than the 760/760T models. Suspension factors into the equation...if you want to upgrade the 740 suspension, swap in bars and shocks and be done with it. The 760 wagons had Nivomat self leveling shocks and in order to replace them with good shocks, e.g., Bilstein, you will also need to change the springs to non-Nivomat. (It's not my belief that 745T's had the Nivomat...I could be wrong.)
Good luck.
Mic '87 740T - 206k
P.S. BTW, later model 960's do NOT have the PRV V6, they use a homegrown I-6 for power...and the newest 960's and S/V 90's use the 2.9 liter variant of the 850's modular 5 cylinder.
Re: 740/760 engines available?[ALL/1998] posted by Michael McBroom on
Tuesday, 29 April 1997, at 11:20 a.m.
Thanks for the replies to my questions about available engines in the 700-series Volvos.
I've found a clean '87 Turbo wagon with a 4-speed OD tranny. I was quite impressed with the overall performance of this car, and am thinking seriously about buying it.
I was told by the co-owner of the car lot (these guys specialize in used Volvos) that 740s with manual trannies are quite rare in the US, although popular in Europe. He also mentioned that the package included a stiffer suspension than is found on the auto trans 740s. I test drove two 740T wagons, one with an auto trans, and the other the one with the stick. The latter seemed to handle noticeably better than the former, and seemed substantially faster, as well.
I like this car, and while the manual tranny feels very nice, I'm trying to look down the road at parts availability. Anybody have experience with it?
Thanks,
Michael McBroom