Hi,

I'm looking into buying a '87 740 GLE. Thing is that the enine has been replaced by another used one (fried valves because of badly maintained while driving LPG). The LPG-system has been removed and the new engine has never run anything but regular gas.

I'm going to have a look on monday but I want to be sure what engine is in there (just to be sure they don't try to play one on me, also I'd like to know if I have to replace the timing belt - in case of an B230E- or not). So is there a fireproof way of telling one B230x from another?

TIA,

Dietbrand
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'92 Volvo 240GL 6cyl. Diesel

I have a B230E. Without going into part no or vins etc the quickest is to have a look at the engine. The most striking difference is the K-jet fuel unit which is a big thing below the throttle with fuel lines going to the injectors. Appearance wise it looks the same as a K-jet in a 240. The other clue is that the alternator is near the oil filter unlike the B230F. Hope this helps

The simple way is to look at the imprint on the engine.

Jack the car up from the front center point and crawl under and have a look.

The imprint is located just in front of the engine/tranny interface.

All redblock engines should be imprinted in this location.

It will say B230F, B230FT, etc.

6th and 7th digits of the vin.
84=B230E
88=B230F

Well, since the engine is a transplant that vin number wouldn't be all that reliable.
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'92 Volvo 240GL 6cyl. Diesel

Not sure about the other engines, but sure that a B230F has the distributor mounted on the side. Behing the alternator

The distributor on a B230F can be mounted either behind the head (on the backside of the camshaft), or on the side of the engine just below the thermostat. The 240 series engines all had their distributors mounted on the side, but most of the 700 series distributors were on the heads (until some of the late model 940s that switched back to the side mount). Therefore, a distributor mounting position is not the most accurate method. (a B230F engine from a 240 or 940 that's been transplanted into a 740 is just fine)

Ideally, the engine part number would be the best method. It's on the paper sticker on the timing cover, and also stamped into the side of the block by the thermostat housing (and right next to the side mounted distributor location).

I'm not an expert on the "E" series fuel injection systems, but I would guess it would be Motronic rather than LH-Jetronic. The obvious sign of a Motronic system would be the Air Flow Meter, inplace of an Air Mass Meter. (flapper valve versus heated Platinum wire) However, you can swap fuel injection systems and engines quite easily, so that may not be a reliable method of identifying the engine.

I hope someone else has a better answer for you, otherwise you'll need to check the engine part number against an internet source or a Volvo dealership.

God bless,
Fitz Fitzgerald.
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'87 Blue 240 Wagon, 255k miles.
'88 Black 780, PRV-6, 148k miles.

Ok, thanks for the help.
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'92 Volvo 240GL 6cyl. Diesel