I recently had a no-start problem with my '85 240. Turned out to be the fuel pressure regulator, and I was able to take 1 from an '83 (same part #'s).
My question today is... should I accept the offer from the 83's owner and put that car in the back yard as a parts car?
They both have the same engine... 2.3L. Are the external motor parts interchangeable? E.G. starter, alternator etc. I also need the steering rack and have verified that the '83 has a CAM type as does mine. Both are power steering, will it swap out?
I'm assuming the headlights and tail light assemblies will be the same. Being that they are both wagons I also scored rear door gas shocks that work!
Comments?

As noted, the engines are not "the same" between the two cars. The '83 has the B23F and the '85 has the B230F.
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85 245 DL - 91 Mazda MX6 Turbo

I own 2 82s, a 245 and a 242 and an 85 244 GL and while I have not swapped the rack on any of them, they certainly appear to be identical. Oart number check is the real verifier as you mention in your post. In the 20 years I have been maintaining these cars I have come to learn that Volvo made changes out of necessity so year to year variation are small. To my knowledge, the body parts are all going to work and most electrical accessories will also be the same. For example, door lock motors, power window switchs and relalys and the like. As to the engine, the water pump is the same as is the fan clutch. Possible differences on the alternator would be as to capacity; there was a 70 amp and a 100 amp version but both will bolt on. Ditto on the brakes. I believe the power steering rack and pump are the same however I have never had to change one of these.

If the price is right and you can stand to have a parter in your yard, it should be a good decision.

engine internals are different (B-23 vs B-230) and the fuel injection electronics are not the same, but most other stuff will interchange.
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Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California
'84-245T 190K+
'88-240 190K+
'65 1800S ????K
'73 1800ES 117K
'92 745Ti 150K
Jeep Wrangler Sahara 10K
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In the same line of questions, can the AMM Part 028212007 and ECU Part 0280000544 from a 85 240 be swapped for use in a 84 240 that has AMM part 0280212002 and ECU part 0280000510? My 84 has a bad AMM and I don't want ot fry the 510 ECU by putting in the 007 AMM. But if i swap both, will this work?