Be careful. Maybe just urban legend, but when I heard it, the story seemed plausible in my naive perception: Choose an old car, steal the battery and something like the distributor rotor. Come back and get a new battery. There's probably a facebook twist to it nowadays.

(if nothing else, the OP will return to at least tell me his rotor is fastened very securely to the dizzy shaft!)
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

The second mouse gets the cheese.

I wouldn't worry about the battery. As long as it fits the tray and the cables reach the posts, it's okay. Myself, I look for the one with the most Cold Cranking Amps. As a result I use Costco 34/78 DT (? I think that's it) batteries in the 240s.

Is the battery engaging the starter and rotating the crankshaft? Or is the starter not even engaging? If the former, then the battery is fine. If the latter, it may be the battery or a bad connection to the starter via the -ve cable, +ve cable or ignition.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.

The Volvo 240 uses either a Group 47 or Group 90 BCI battery group size. What you bought is a Group Size (BCI) 34 battery. Improper fit!

Please verify by searching the i-net.

You use these battery group sizes in Volvo 240 so the car battery 'foot' interlocks with the battery tray by setting it down into the tray and sliding it towards the inner fender (away from the engine). Also, battery post type and position vary. The battery posts should face the rear of your Volvo with the negative post closest to the inner fender. The battery vent cover face towards the front.

Your new battery may not have the charge to turn the engine over even though it is new. O'Reilly parts, I think, should normally load test the new car battery ampacity (and voltage) to verify it works as it should, a new battery.

And, all was well with the new alternator and brush holder assembly, yes, until your prior car battery was stolen?

From this distance, else, I can begin to speculate as to your problems other than you have a 1986 Volvo with dodgy electrics if the cause(s) is/are beyond charging and battery.

Do you have a Haynes, Bentley, or, if a well-practised mechanic, the green Volvo OEM factory service manuals?

Questions?

Hope that helps.

Bing 'Duffed' Duffy.
Welcome to Nordica. We have the very best dairy!

Need more information.
Does it crank but not start , does it not crank at all.
If someone heisted your battery, were any wires cut, mangled etc?
Paul

What happens when you turn the key?
Does it not turn the engine at all or
does it turn the engine but not start
the car?

If it turns the engine but the car does
not start the first thing I would check
would be the 25amp fuse that comes off
the positive side of the battery.

If the starter does not even turn then
I would check the thick red wire that
comes off the positive side of the battery
and goes to the starter to make sure it
has a good connection at both the battery end
and the starter end.

GOOD LUCK...
Joseph in New Mexico