Volvo RWD 120-130 Forum

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B20 block and head choice for performance build 120-130

If you can't find a head locally, I can help you with a B20B head--the earlier carb type with the 42mm intakes. I have a few of them. You can have one cheap. Compression on those was not 10:1 as stated elsewhere--9.3:1 and rated at 118hp SAE. I used a carbureted head (unknown year) that had 44mm intakes, same as the FI heads, on my 1969 140 B20. I originally had it on a screaming B18 and had milled the head .125" to get a ratio of over 11:1--but that was before oxygenated gasoline and I had to devise a water/alcohol injection sytem to keep it from pinging. I've used the same K cam in both motors and on the B20 the ratio is a more managable 10:1, runs good on what passes for premium these days and doesn't need the water injection, even on occassional track days. The first of the FI motors had 10.5:1 and very good porting but that was only for a year or so. Later FI heads had a much lower compression ratio. You need to measure the deck height of any head and compare that to the specs in the "green book" to see what you've got (I think mine started off at 87 or 88mm). Volvo really got the intake porting correct, there's not much you can do to improve it, especially for a street car. The exhaust side can benefit from some cleaning up and port matching. I have a B20F (1975-8 bolt crank) you can have (if you come and remove it) but the hood of the parts car rotted and let water drip down so I don't know what the internals look like now. I sold the head many years ago. I have a complete B20B in a 1969 parts car--I'm almost afraid to ask (in fear for my life-wife can't know kind of deal) to see pics of the 122 if you're interested in the '69 motor.






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New B20 block and head choice for performance build [120-130]
posted by  Deluxe  on Fri Feb 29 04:13 CST 2008 >


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