I have been searching for a nice 144 (1972 or earlier) and think I have found a nice 1971 144 but it is a 4 speed manual without overdrive. Is it possible to add overdrive? Is it very expensive? Is a 144 without overdrive a joke?

Thanks for any advice - Mike

I wouldn't say that a 144 without overdrive is a joke. I would come nearer
feeling that way about one that had automatic tranny.
It can be changed fairly easily but you need to get the tranny crossmember
and front driveshaft from the donor car along with the tranny and speedo
cable. It might be fairly expensive depending on where you are and how many
are available.

By getting the parts from the same donor car you insure that the driveshaft
flanges are compatible, as they come in 3 sizes.
Except for the electrical connection (which you can do either simply or in a
complex manner, as you see fit) it is pretty much a bolt-in operation.
You may end up with a speedometer/odometer ratio problem depending on which
differential ratio you have and if the right gears are available for yours.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Central US

hi George,
Ahout the OD conversion, can a speedo cable from an auto tranny work? Also, do all 140's (excluding autos) have the same rear end or were there changes between the years?
Amaresh
--
and the bricks keep on rolling....

Looks like we didn't know about that bit. Want me to ship it?
--

Cable from an auto will not work... not long enough. Found that out when I did my auto -> M41 swap.

Rear ends are all the same type (Dana 30) in 140s... but would likely have different ratios depending on transmission. I *think* the 164 has a unique rear end, built in house by Volvo, which would account for oddball ratios. I'm not certain about that though.

--
-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC

The AT cable may work ok. Just has to be long enough that it doesn't bend
too sharply, which will promptly wear it out. Of course you need to be
able to connect it to the tranny also, but I think cable ends for those
models are standard.

I think 3 different ratios were common:
4.1, 4.3 and 4.5555555555555555555 (AKA 4.56, 41/9)
There may have also been others.
I believe these were changed more related to the tranny than the year.
My 164 was the odd one - while most 4 speed 164s were 3.73, I think the
first ones were 3.31, which is probably OK for AT and 4 speed but pretty
high to get much use from OD. (I added the OD. I imagine that if
originally equipped with OD, it might have had 3.73 or even lower.)
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Central US