I just got a 1982 4-speed manual transmission with Laycock J overdrive in good condition. I would like to put it into my 1994 940 turbo. Can that transmission + OD handle the '94's torque? Any advice on feasibility, techniques, or things I might easily overlook?


Thanks for the help.

-- Bruce

As others have mentioned, you'll need the 700 series pedal assembly, drive shaft and more. You'd need to find the flywheel from a 1990-91 turbo 700 with manual transmission, and the matching 9 inch clutch.
--
john

Every 740 turbo (mechanically identical to your 940 turbo) that was fitted with a manual transmission used a 'P' type overdrive. Sounds like you have an M46 with a 'J' type from a 240. The gearbox will fit (although you will need the linkage from a 740T M46), but the overdrive will probably slip under the torque of your engine. This can happen even when the overdrive is NOT engaged.

Some 240 turbos did indeed use the 'J' type overdrive. But a non-intercooled B21FT has an output of only 130 horsepower and 150-some-odd foot pounds of torque. On the other hand, your B230FT is rated for 162hp and 187 ft.-lbs. It also has a smaller turbocharger which spools up at a lower engine speed than the old Garrett TD-04's fitted to 240 turbos.

I think that an M46 from a 740T would be ideal. You might also want to consider swapping the gearset in the differential. I think that auto tranny 940 turbos have a 4.10:1 final drive, whereas 740 turbos w/M46 were equipped with either a 3.54:1 or a 3.73:1 gearset.

Hi Charles --

I'm copying a response to another message in this thread because I'd like your feedback as well. What is involved with changing the differential gearset? What effect will it have on power and mileage? And how do I calibrate my speedometer to the different number of gear teeth?

Thanks for the help!

[copy of earlier response follows]

Well, actually it is a '87 760 sedan body with a full turbo engine/auto transmission transplant from a low-mileage '94 940 wagon. The transplant included the dash board, all instruments, all engine controls, the rear differential/wheels, and the entire wagon's suspension. Oh, and the larger front disks. It was a lot of work, and I could not have done it without the Volvo electrical schematics.

I have a donor '82 240 with a good manual transmission and overdrive. I also have a repaired but marginal mid-80's (don't know the exact year) 740 wagon manual transmission with overdrive, hydraulic clutch, clutch/brake pedal assembly including booster and brake/clutch master cylindars, drive shaft with center bearing, transmission support crossmember, bell housing, shifter cage, rather trashed shifter (no knob, and somebody took a grinder to the top of the shaft), flywheel(don't know the tooth number), several lightly used clutches, replacement cable clutch fork with pivot, and all the bolts from the donor car. I don't know whether it is a J- or P- type overdrive from 740.

I believe the only important parts I lack are a 7xx/9xx overdrive solenoid and a new clutch bearing.

So, my *hope* was to use the '82 240's manual transmission + OD, wrap it with the 740 bits, and put it into the 760. Then I'd have a manual turbo 760 -- which will be much more fun than my automatic transmission.

If the 740 manual transmission has a P-type OD, can I swap that onto the 240 manual transmission?

I intend to rebuild the OD using an after-market kit - any advice on this is appreciated. I also intend to replace front/rear transmission seals, rear engine oil seal. Depending on wear/appearance, I will replace the drive shaft center bearing, U-joints, clutch hydraulic line, transmission/engine mounts.

Any advice you have on the foregoing is greatly appreciated.

...My wife thinks I'm crazy and I haven't told her EXACTLY what this will cost. Or how long it might take. But I really hate driving an automatic.

Thanks for the help!

Volvo did not switch to the P type OD in turbo 700s until about the middle of the 1986 model year. While a P type OD is prefered, the J type will give fine service if not abused on shifting.
--
john

My 1986 740 turbo came with a J-type. They were used on various cars in England with more power than ours, including small V8s.

Lots of turbo cars used the J overdrive, it should be just fine. You will need shift linkage from a manual 740, though, as the shifter setup is different between 2xx and 7/9xx cars. Also things like the mount, pedals, clutch actuation (cable or hydraulic.) The 82 OD unit has a speedo cable takeoff point which you won't use, it will leak fluid unless capped. I believe you will need a flywheel that's set up for your RPM sensor, might be hard to find. So, yes it will work fine with your car, but the transmission is just the start of what you will need. Best to find a late 740 manual donor car. Been done, though, and should make a fabulous car. A late 940 with manual trans is on my wish list...

Those cars all came with the beefier P type overdrives for a reason. The 940 that you want to put it in, does it have a manual trans in it already or is it an auto right now?

Mark

Well, actually it is a '87 760 sedan body with a full turbo engine/auto transmission transplant from a low-mileage '94 940 wagon. The transplant included the dash board, all instruments, all engine controls, the rear differential/wheels, and the entire wagon's suspension. Oh, and the larger front disks. It was a lot of work, and I could not have done it without the Volvo electrical schematics.

I have a donor '82 240 with a good manual transmission and overdrive. I also have a repaired but marginal mid-80's (don't know the exact year) 740 wagon manual transmission with overdrive, hydraulic clutch, clutch/brake pedal assembly including booster and brake/clutch master cylindars, drive shaft with center bearing, transmission support crossmember, bell housing, shifter cage, rather trashed shifter (no knob, and somebody took a grinder to the top of the shaft), flywheel(don't know the tooth number), several lightly used clutches, replacement cable clutch fork with pivot, and all the bolts from the donor car. I don't know whether it is a J- or P- type overdrive from 740.

I believe the only important parts I lack are a 7xx/9xx overdrive solenoid and a new clutch bearing.

So, my *hope* was to use the '82 240's manual transmission + OD, wrap it with the 740 bits, and put it into the 760. Then I'd have a manual turbo 760 -- which will be much more fun than my automatic transmission.

If the 740 manual transmission has a P-type OD, can I swap that onto the 240 manual transmission?

I intend to rebuild the OD using an after-market kit - any advice on this is appreciated. I also intend to replace front/rear transmission seals, rear engine oil seal. Depending on wear/appearance, I will replace the drive shaft center bearing, U-joints, clutch hydraulic line, transmission/engine mounts.

Any advice you have on the foregoing is greatly appreciated.

...My wife thinks I'm crazy and I haven't told her EXACTLY what this will cost. Or how long it might take. But I really hate driving an automatic.

Thanks for the help!

Since you're modifying this vehicle you may as well have the correct flywheel lightened from 28lbs to about 20lbs. This should cost about 150us and is worth it for you setup. This is what I did with my 92 240 auto to manual conversion. That flywheel is very heavy. Machining it down to 20lbs doesn't create the problems associated with a very light racing setup. Good luck.
--
92 244 lowered, Bilsteins, IPD sways, Unitek cam/header, TSW Revo 18x8's - 94 965 Niiice MONEY PIT! - 76 Datsun 280Z lowered, modified head, cam, headers, intake

Oho! This sounds interesting!

I assume the the lighter flywheel allows the engine to rev up faster. Other advantages? Is there a downside?

...It happens that my son has access to a very good machine shop; I might be able to get this done at little or no cost. Any other optional modifications requiring machine shop activities that you might suggest?

Thanks for the info.

-- Bruce