1989 240, red-block engine

Is it a B230, B230F, or B230FT? Maybe it's just me, but I see these nomenclatures mentioned sometimes with or without the "F."

Once you know what the letters mean, there's no mistaking what's what.
B = Benzine/Gasoline fueled
230 = 2.3 litre, low friction. Earlier design, with English measurements and longer skirt pistons, were "23" (as in B23F or B21F ΐ.1 litre]).
F = Federal emissions package (E engines are Europe market, some of which went to Canada)
T = turbocharged - your 240 would not have this.

There are other deginations too, but these apply to the engine you hear about mostly.

Short answer in your car; B230F

B230F

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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

Usually people say the B230 and b230f are the same. There is an "e" motor.
The FT, turbo...

http://epic.mcmaster.ca/~bill/volvo/database/240cars.htm
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Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.

you have a b230f

a b230ft is a low compression turbo version found in 700 series vehicles, usually in vehicles after 86?

b23e or b23ft are sort of a later version of the 2.1 liter

someone else can do this better tho, Aye Roll?

Read all about it here:

http://www.vlvworld.com/indexframe.html?engspecs.html

You should find a sticker on the front of the timing gear cover identifying the engine.

That sticker has usually fallen off by now, at least on most of the ones I've seen. The outline where it was is an excellent place to put the timing belt replacement sticker if you get one with the new belt.