I just bought a very clean 1998 S70 T5. Engine is B523T3 and had a timing belt failure. Vin is a "53".

When I search for engines for a 98 B523T3, no other years cross or show up. If I search the same engine for a 99, price is $500 to $750 more.

The post below states 850 engines with HPT will work. I can find a 98 T5, but have to drive a ways to get it. Trying to figure out if I can use another year and what I will have to switch from the old to new.

The wisdom and input on the board is always great and thanks for the information.

Keith

96 850 wagon 345K, 01 V70 T5 141K, 03 S60 2.4T 158K, 1998 S70 T5 T-belt explosion. Wife says I got to stop.

If you need a refurbished head, there is an outfit in Fla that supplies them. If you take out the existing head and take it to a machine shop, that is also a good option.

Most belt breaks that result in valve crashes do not have piston problems. It is usually cheaper to rebuild a head than install a new engine that you know nothing about. Besides, you will not have to go through the expense of lifting the engine, etc.

Klaus

Just wondering on the engine, A) Do you have the ability to take the engine out?
B) Do you know what all broke on it when the belt broke?

Machining the engine if its broken/bent valves or a cracked piston will cost less than a rebuilt engine. Labor for a rebuild is a huge variant but could be less than installing the engine, it also could be more. I do believe it would be worth it to investigate what went wrong with your engine.

Yes, I can and will do all repair myself. Have built, rebuilt many engines, transmission, rear ends...

The engine over heated and timing belt broke. I will get more details when I pick it up in a day or two. I have not had a chance to tear into the engine yet. It looks like I can get an engine for $800-1000. Put in new timing belt, tensioner, waterpump, rear main seal and should be good for a long time. Always try to get a used engine out of a wrecked car - that way I know it was running. Never any guarantees.

If the valves got into the pistons, which is what happens with interference engines, I assume pistons will need to be replaced. I have found in the past that a good used engine is usually cheaper than rebuilding. Even when I do it myself.

When I get the head off and it only looks like valves and a head, then I can go that route. If not, I want to get an complete engine and want to which ones will work.

My cross referencing only shows a 98 to work, but I expect the basic configuration was the same for a couple of years with only minor changes. If I end up putting an engine in, I want it to be right the first time.

My wife is jealous of my garage time and try to keep it to a minimum. As we say down south, If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Thanks for the great input.

Lots of luck with your new project. Tell your wife what I tell mine:

Better in the garage than at a bar. And about the same expense as a few beers every night!

I have seen a lot of 'bent' valves, not any with pistons that are damaged. Remember the head is aluminum and nice and soft compared to the piston crown.

When you take off the head, put a zip tie around the exhaust cam and cam gear. That way you will remember which cam goes where.

I wonder how much it over-heated and why. Lack of oil or antifreeze, or a water pump failure. If the later, then the bearings should be just fine and replace the head.

Have fun, wear rubber gloves, and kiss your wife a thank you. She deserves it!

Klaus

Your cross referencing says that because of the electronics. The 1998 is very similar to the 1997 and in many ways the 1999 but in 1999 they added some serious revisions to the electronics - electronic throttle, stability control, variable valve timing, I think even the fuel system is different. Unless you're planning on taking wiring harnesses and computers along with your new engine I suspect it will be easiest to transplant a 1998 engine. 1997 as a second choice in my books, but I've never done this job before.

I understand where you're coming from but I still think personally I'd prefer a rebuilt head, all cleaned and polished and newly planed and sealed... and if you end up doing a piston or two I don't know how much that would add to the headache... seems to me you can do a piston from below with the oil pan removed but maybe I'm dreaming...

Also I've heard a few times that the pistons are normally damaged much.

Nonetheless I hope you find an engine nearby that will work for you.

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1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+

+1

consider rebuilding the head. You'll get a real clean engine and they can do a great job, plus if they plane it a bit you'll get more power too.

Labour will be a factor here too, and even if you can do it yourself you'll have to buy some special tools to do the install, but it's certainly doable and many folks have DIYed this job.


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1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+