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Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

posted by  DanR on  Sat Mar 15 06:58 CST 2003
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last visit: Thu Oct 23 15:25 CST 2014
[RELATED]

I have been hanging around this board a few years now, so I value the opinions of my fellow brick boarders.

My 960 has just over 217,000 miles, being a 960 that has not always been an easy road. I have the opportunity to buy a brand new engine to replace mine.

Here is a brief history. I have had this car since it had 16,000 miles, it was never great on oil usage even then. Then it was around 1500 miles to a quart. Now it is around 300-500 miles to a quart. A compression test and leak down test comfirm that it not only needs a valve job but also needs new rings. The morning start up has the normal valve lifter clatter for a second or two but there is also some loud piston slap until warm up and now there is some rod knock all the time. That describes the condition of the engine. Not dead yet but....it could go another 100k as long as I check the oil at every fill up.

The balance of the car is in top shape, no rust any where, a/c works great, just had the front end rebuilt totally, new springs and nivos on the back, every thing on the inside works. I went thru the usual vacuum motor replacement, blower motor, radiator, new cat and exhaust, the trans has had an external cooler since I have had it and it operates flawlessly. Need to buy a new set of tires though.

My mechanic repairs only Volvo's exclusively. They have a brand new engine. It has never been run. This was a demo engine that Volvo used for a class room for Volvo mechanics. It has never been disassebled. They want 1,500.00 bucks for it, which I think is a fair price if not a great price. The engine is from 1993 with both the intake, exhaust manifolds and all of the sensors. I am really considering this. Is there anything I am forgettig? I am also concerned about the leaking blocks of the earlier engines. The only thing that is missing in which the mechanic scavenged off is the oil pan. I figure I could use the one from the old engine. Also I would update the oil cooler to the version I have now.

I would swap this on my own. I replaced the head gasket for a oil leak around 80,000 miles ago. So I am somewhat familiar with this engine.

I welcome all comments or questions. Tell me what you think. I am thinking there is another 200k in this vehicle. Am I a fool? I really like driving this car. Does that make me an even bigger fool?

Thanks in advance. Let it rip.


DanR 94 964 217k miles
--
DanR








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    Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

    posted by  DanR on  Mon Mar 17 08:49 CST 2003
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 15:25 CST 2014
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    Thanks all. I am have to check out if the crank shaft on a 94 is modified from the 93. It would seem to me that taking the timing belt parts from the 94 should work, also I need to find out when they updated the oil pump, so I might have to update that too. It seems some of the older engines had a plastic part in the pump that was prone to failure.

    When I get into this I will keep you all posted, with pictures too.

    DanR 94 964 217k miles
    --
    DanR








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    Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

    uid 42's pic
    posted by  Shatz on  Sat Mar 15 11:20 CST 2003
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    last visit: Fri May 6 11:38 CST 2011
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    Dan,

    I'm reminded of the advice from that great New York philosopher, Yogi Berra, said about this situation: "When you come to a fork in the road...take it."

    Actually the only item I can think of is the possible trade-off in in the timing belt change interval. I know the big break was at '95, but I have some vague remembrance of an improved interval between 92-3 and 94, but I could be wrong. Otherwise sounds like a great opportunity.
    --
    John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 94K








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      Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

      posted by  DanR on  Sat Mar 15 12:02 CST 2003
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      last visit: Thu Oct 23 15:25 CST 2014
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      Another Yogism, No one goes there anymore, its too crowded.

      Good thought, the interval on the 94 is 50k. I wonder if the difference between the 94 and the 93 is the pulleys and brackets for the add ons.

      Thanks John,

      Dan
      --
      DanR








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        Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

        uid 42's pic
        posted by  Shatz on  Sun Mar 16 02:51 CST 2003
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        last visit: Fri May 6 11:38 CST 2011
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        Well, the interval differences may not be the deciding factor, all things considered. But if the 94 is @50k, then my bet is that the 93 is the original 30K w/ tensioner cam modifcation, just like my 92 was. If you do this yourself, it may not be a big deal. You also have to factor in the remaining life of the car, or what you would anticipate it to be, I suppose.
        --
        John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 94K








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    Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

    posted by  someone claiming to be Ralph on  Sat Mar 15 10:23 CST 2003 [RELATED]

    Dan, as long a the mechanic can make the engine run, you're getting a good deal. I for one would take the deal.

    Ralph...








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    Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

    posted by  john r. on  Sat Mar 15 08:46 CST 2003
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    last visit: Tue Mar 9 09:41 CST 2010
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    Installing the new engine doesn't sound foolish to me. The rest of the car is in top shape so why not get the engine up to date as well. $1500 is a steal for the new engine. I paid $1750 a few years ago for a 37k mile example for my '94 960. Get the new engine and keep on enjoying the 960.

    John








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      Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

      posted by  DanR on  Sat Mar 15 16:08 CST 2003
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      last visit: Thu Oct 23 15:25 CST 2014
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      What went wrong? Did the timing belt break?

      Dan
      --
      DanR








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        Fork in the road? 960 Long....... 900 1994

        posted by  john r. on  Sun Mar 16 11:27 CST 2003
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        last visit: Tue Mar 9 09:41 CST 2010
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        The radiator hose split, all the coolant drained out, and the engine overheated. The person driving the car ignored the low coolant light, but not for long. Wish I could have bought a new engine for $1500!!!







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