Hey guys/gals,

I'm planning to go look at a '93 945T in the morning and one thing I am really interested in is the piston oil cooling (no piston slap, even longer life). Do all L block B230FTs have piston oil cooling? If I open the hood and look at the sticker on the T-belt cover, it should denote that it's an L block right? If it's a K, it'll say "K", right? Are there any differences between a '93 L block and a '94 or '95? I've kinda been looking for a '93-'95 945T. From what I've read and know, the '93-'95 940 was pretty much the same except for the different headlight setups (I prefer with foglights by the grill). I love my '91 745T and don't want to sell it, but I'll certainly give my up '91 745NA for my ultimate RWD 4cyl Volvo ('93-'95 945T) if the right one comes along (pretty rare it seems). I really want a '95 945T, but I'll certaily settle for a '93 if it's got the same engine and is pretty much the same otherwise. Am I missing something that the '94s or '95s have that the earlier ones don't? My understanding is that it's a bit easier to find a '93 or '94 and they're usually more well equipped (leather, etc). Anyway, thanks for any help/advise/comments!
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 287K km and '91 745 NA, 371K km.

Thanks for the responses! When I got to the 940, I opened the hood, and sure enough there was "L" right below the engine code on the t-belt cover. Wow....An "R" block.....Never heard of one of those! Geez.....One of my Vo mechanic's customers has a late '95 (like 06/95) 945T. I wonder if that has an R block?....I'll have to find out. It's a lovely car. Not all optioned up, but works well and looks nice (dark green). The owner (lady) loves it and I keep trying to buy it from her. LOL :) Also, my mechanic wants her engine for his newly aquired 242 GT from NC. Anyway, the '93 945T that I looked at wasn't very nice. It had been repainted, was a bit rough, and I'm pretty sure it had been in an accident :( Looked great under the hood, but that's not all that matters. I'll wait for a better one. The money is a stretch right now anyway....The same place is getting in another '93 945 next week, but the salesman wasn't sure if it's turbo, so he's gonna let me know. Man, so now a '95 is worth even more to me if it has an R block.....Not that it matters that much....The L block is all you need...Heck, my rebuilt '91 K block is great aside from some minor piston slap. I'll just keep lookin for my 940, there's no rush as the 745 NA is doing well and looking great since it was cleaned and waxed yesterday :)
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 287K km and '91 745 NA, 371K km.

I tihink all the turbo 940's 1990-95 have oil cooler, to make sure just look behind the oil filter and see it's there.

You are confusing the engine oil cooler with piston oil cooling. All factory turbo 240s, 700s, and 940s have oil coolers. Late B230s have piston oil cooling.

Volvo improved the K block by the installation of piston oil cooling jets in the main oil galley. This improved engine was designated the L block. In the picture you can see the four oil jets point up into the bores. They oil jets serve two purposes; they cool the pistons and give improved piston lubrication. Volvo did lots of warrantee work to eliminate piston slap in the earlier versions of the B230. This warrantee work stopped with the introduction of piston oil cooling.

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john

L Block is 93-95 engines. They have L printed on the timing cover, and round tooth timing belt gears. If it has an R printed on the timing cover.. holy hell you are a lucky man.

6 volvos,

where exactly is the 'L' or 'R' on the timing belt cover? and is this only on turbo models?

I have a non turbo 95 940 and I don't see any 'letters' on my timing belt cover.

thanks for the help

My 95 940 turbo doesn't have the letters either.

What's the R block?

An R block is the same as an L block, except the R block has been strengthened by increasing casting thickness in important areas. The L block is a fine motor, and it is a K block with piston oil cooling.
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john