Hi-
I made the mistake of buying a 1992 960 wagon. I’ve owned many 240 and 740 wagons, and thought i was moving up.

The car was sold to us with a head gasket going bad, which the “gentleman” who restores Volvos from Sausalito, Ca. meticulously steam cleaned so we wouldn't see the white residue from a leaking cooling system all over the engine area under the hood, which became very visible after driving it home 50 miles. I know we should have checked it out better and researched this model, but I trusted this seller who had frequent postings on craigslist selling “lovingly”restored 240 wagons and sedans.

Now that I know more about the problems with this engine, and especially this years model, I am not surprised that it has a bad head gasket, and that we also discovered cracks in the block. I just want to get rid of this engine, and take advantage of the Picknpull 50% off sale which I anticipate will be held Thanksgiving weekend.

I would like some advice on what years engines will work in a 1992 car (vin YV1KW9501N0007657). I know that the engines had porous problems the first two years, and that the timing belts were improved over the years, and that the first engines were 6304F (fuel injection) and later ones 6304S (suction).

There are 5 recent arrivals to my local Picknpull of 960 model cars. There were none in the yard during the Labor Day sale so I feel somewhat fortunate. There are 3 1995 models, a 1992, and a 1997. What would work? What should we look for? Are there other parts we need to grab in addition to the engine? (like the computer?)

I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

 

I believe all 960 for the US had the 6304S motors... The later ones were greatly improved and I think they will fit your car. Make sure the cars you pick from were wrecked as most junked 960 were abandoned because of the engine or transmission problems...

 

+1 to Lev's answer.

The '95 - 96 - 97 all have the greatly improved timing belt setup. And as mentioned, one of the more common faults is catastrophic engine failure as a result of timing belt failure due to lack of maintenance.

So I would choose the lowest-mileage of the 95-97 motors, as long as the fluids looked good and the engine can be rotated by hand through an entire cycle. If any of them have stickers showing a recent timing belt / water pump / tensioner change, you could gamble. Otherwise, I would say you'll be doing at least the tensioners and belt (Volvo Timing Belt Kit with Tensioner and Idler Bearing OES/OEM 112856 TIMKIT008) and would be better doing a full kit with water pump as well. At least then you know you're good for another 70,000 miles or whatever the interval is.