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I'm considering to replace my M45 with an M47 transmission that I've been offered at a low price (about $120). The thing is that it comes from a rust bucket (a 1986 245 GLE, B230A) with 371.000 km on the counter. It is supposed to be OK, with no noises or slipping out of gears, but the seller has only driven it a couple of times (he only bought it to pick parts off it). My M45 is still going strong (262kkm), but I'd like to have that fifth gear when cruising on the highway. Any views on this? Should I go for it or just wait for another transmission without the high kilometres? I've heard Volvo transmissions are close to everlasting. Is this right or just a myth (remember, we're not talking about turbos here)?
Anything I should be aware of when replacing etc.?
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OK, so now I have a choice between an M47 with (about) 250kkm, but without driveshaft/crossmember or whatever you need to get it fitting (not sure about the English word for the "mellomaksel" :)), and an M46 with all the stuff. I get the former at a slightly lower price (NOK1000/$120) than the latter (NOK1500/$180 for all the stuff). The guy that sells the stuff doesn't know the kilometres of the M46, but says it's in perfect order.
So, I'm a little unsure here. I think the M47 covers all my needs, but all you guys keep talking about the M46. What are actually the advantages, apart from it being stronger? Is it more comfortable? How about noise etc.? I know that the first M47s were weak, but have been told that this was fixed in the later versions. Remember, it was in production very late here in Europe. Which cars used the m46 transmission, by the way? I heard some of the 9xx series and 7xx series had it, or...?
What worries me a bit is the electronics of the M46. M47 seems safer in that respect?
I'd be very grateful for _quick_ replies here, since I'll have to decide in a couple of hours :)
Thanks for all your help this far.
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FYI, I ended up with an M47 from 1987 with 250kkm on it. Looks nice, and it should be working fine. I was a bit frightened by the electrical issues of the M46, and since I don't need the extra strength, I chose m47. Again, thanks for your advice, despite me acting contrary to it...
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OK, so now I have a choice between an M47 with (about) 250kkm, but without driveshaft/crossmember or whatever you need to get it fitting (not sure about the English word for the "mellomaksel" :)), and an M46 with all the stuff. I get the former at a slightly lower price (NOK1000/$120) than the latter (NOK1500/$180 for all the stuff). The guy that sells the stuff doesn't know the kilometres of the M46, but says it's in perfect order.
So, I'm a little unsure here. I think the M47 covers all my needs, but all you guys keep talking about the M46. What are actually the advantages, apart from it being stronger? Is it more comfortable? How about noise etc.? I know that the first M47s were weak, but have been told that this was fixed in the later versions. Remember, it was in production very late here in Europe. Which cars used the m46 transmission, by the way? I heard some of the 9xx series and 7xx series had it, or...?
What worries me a bit is the electronics of the M46. M47 seems safer in that respect?
I'd be very grateful for _quick_ replies here, since I'll have to decide in a couple of hours :)
Thanks for all your help this far.
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FYI, I ended up with an M47 from 1987 with 250kkm on it. Looks nice, and it should be working fine. I was a bit frightened by the electrical issues of the M46, and since I don't need the extra strength, I chose m47. Again, thanks for your advice, despite me acting contrary to it...
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I think you'd be happier with a M-46.
I'm sort of confused, you have a 1988 240 with a M-45? The Donor car is a 1986 with a M-47?
I don't think either of these cars has their stock transmission if this is the case.
--
If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'
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You´re probably right about the M-46 being a better choice, but I don´t think it´s very common over here (Norway).
Anyway, my 88 with an M-45 is a GL model, that is the most basic version that was sold at the moment. According to my manual it came with the M-45 4-speed transmission. As for the other car, the 86, it was a GLE version, with all the luxury options, hence also M-47, sunroof etc.
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Hi Larseko,
If your car now has a M45, it will most likely have a mechanical speedometer, with the cable hooked up onto the gearbox. If you are in Norway you might be able to find a M47 with the connection for this cable. In america non of the M47 have the mechanical speedo meter, where as in europe the ´84 to ´86 models M47 do have it. I am currently using a ´85 M47 with mechanical speedo in my P130 (amazon).
cheers, Ben
--
Daily driver: P130, '65, B18+M47. In the proces of restoring: P131, '69, B20+AW71L. (www.knutselsmurf.web1000.com)
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No, it's not a mechanical speedo. Remember, it's a 1988 :) So I guess there's no hookup on the gearbox.
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Ahh...
I was under the impression that the M-45s weren't offered past around 1982, and that the M-47 wasn't available until at least 1987.
Maybe this wasn't the case outside of the US.
--
If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'
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An M47 can last a long time, but with all of the labor that you're going to put into the installation and conversion, I would recommend that you wait until you find something that you feel a little more confident about. Low mileage M47s can be found if you are patient.
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The thing is that the guy selling the transmission will help me replacing it, that is, actually doing the replacement and using me as a helping hand, just for about $50 extra. You see, that's the biggest problem for me if I get my hands on a transmission: I don't have skill, tools or a place where I can do the actual replacement...
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I think if you took a poll here, you'd find the M46 with OD to be more popular than the M47. I'm on my second 245 with M47; the first one was retired at 250K miles and the current one is at 170K. Although neither has given any a cause for direct maintenance such as bad bearings, even with care (good oil), the trans and its sluggish synchronizers and balkiness getting into low gear is annoying in an otherwise nice car.
Changing to a different trans isn't rocket science but it is a major undertaking, and you'll typically need a different driveshaft and tranny crossmember. Plus you'll put in a new clutch and a rear main seal while the tranny is off. I would say wait for a known better tranny if you're determined to change.
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But is it trivial to replace my M-45 with an M-46? Anything I have to be aware of? I see now that there are a lot of those on the market as well, so I might just go for it.
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I think if you took a poll here, you'd find the M46 with OD to be more popular than the M47. I'm on my second 245 with M47; the first one was retired at 250K miles and the current one is at 170K. Although neither has given any a cause for direct maintenance such as bad bearings, even with care (good oil), the trans and its sluggish synchronizers and balkiness getting into low gear is annoying in an otherwise nice car.
Changing to a different trans isn't rocket science but it is a major undertaking, and you'll typically need a different driveshaft and tranny crossmember. Plus you'll put in a new clutch and a rear main seal while the tranny is off. I would say wait for a known better tranny if you're determined to change.
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And another thing: Will the speedometer hookup be the same on the two? The M47 is sitting in a car with B230A from 1986, and going to a 1988 with B230K.
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There isn't a speedometer hookup on the transmission of either an 86 or an 88. Both get their speed from the transmitter in the rear end.
BTW, my 87 245 had well over 250k miles on it with the original M47, and I used it for fairly heavy towing. Yes, it could be a little disagreeable, but it was still very functional.
--
1991 245, 61k miles, looking for a 5 speed 92-93 245 cheap.
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