I recently picked up a 145E for parts, the ID no doesn't have a letter so I can't tell what year the car is, i was told it was a 72 but it could easily be a 71,its LHD and has a MPH speedo so I assume its a US model. what I would like to know is how do I tell the difference between a B20E and B20F motor and is there any difference in the actual porting on these heads.
Thanks
Hans

The grille used in 140s is, of course, the same between '71 and '72... so with that you have (presumably) narrowed it to those years. But... fuel injection didn't come along for wagons until '72... not even an option.

So, if its injected, its a '72 as you were told. Of course, for engine ID... go with what George said. Odds are slim though that its a '71 motor... there weren't a whole lot of them that were injected.

-Matt

Get an accurate measurement of the height of the cylinder head from the
headgasket surface to the valve cover gasket surface and we can tell you
which it is (assuming it has not been changed or milled too much.

While you're doing that copy down the number on the block just below
the head near the distributor. It will start with 49 and followed by
other numbers. The 49 and the next 4 digits after that are the type
and the remainder are engine serial numbers.

These two things will enable us to confirm whether the head and block
match as well as whether the head (which is what really makes the
difference) is B20E or F.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Thanks George, without taking the head off I get a height of 89mm,this is only so-so accurate, the engine no is 49 8284 10541, the car is a bit of a mess but looks original. What I really want to know is if the difference is just compression or if the ports are a different shape/size?
Regards
Hans
Hastings NZ

According to the data sheet on the German Volvo Club's website
49 8284 is a B20F with 115 SAE horsepower. The corresponding B20Es were 124.
There is a notation that says "keine angaben" but since I don't know what
angaben means I'm in the dark on that.

The cylinder head heights are 84.9mm (3.34") for B20E and 87mm (3.42") for
the B20F. There may be a slight difference in ports but mighty little.
Both are pretty good although both have sort of a hump in them. Valve
sizes are the same. I think the B20E and F both had the D cam on 1972
(according to my 72 green manual) but in later years there was a slightly
different cam for the B20F.

Hope this helps.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Thanks George, I stripped a 75 B20F and it had a D cam, gave that head away, probably a bit hasty there.
Hans