So I recently traded my 02' Sable for a 90' Volvo 740 GL. The 740 has the sohc engine with 88 in the vin #. When the engine is cold I get a knocking sound at idle. I had our local import mechanic diagnose the sound and he said it was a wrist pin knock in the #4 cylinder. Does anyone know where to get a remanufactured engine or low mileage used engine? The dealership I did the trade with are terrible to work with and do not return phone calls, so I feel like I'm on my own here. Any advice is appreciated.

 

the engine block is interchangable between any non-turbo 240/740/940 from 1989+ ... a 240 has a side mount distributor, while a 740/940 usually (but not /always/ has a camshaft driven distributor, but you can simply remove the side shaft, take the block lpate off your engine to block that opening, then remove the plug from the back of the valve cover to install the camshaft end distributor.

so your best bet is to find one in a junkyard or someone parting a car out... i'm assuming your car is a non-turbo, the turbo engines have lower compression, so aren't suitable for non-turbo.

 

I wouldn't panic at this stage. You have a young motor and these red blocks have a tendency of wrist pin knock. It started on our 89 740 GL at about 175K miles. I still have the same noise and we just turned 373K miles. Jus a little noisy at idle but runs great. Just drive it.

 

I forgot to mention that my car has 199K miles on it. I did own another 740 some years ago and loved it, hence why I was happy to make the trade for my Sable. My other 740 didn't have wrist pin knock, so this was somewhat alarming to me.

 

our 240 had almost 500K miles on it when it was finally scrapped, and never had any problem with piston slap or wrist-pin knock, and we drove the **** out of that car since new.

 

First get a second opinion, even a third... Few mechanics today can make a reliable diagnosis. You may have piston slap which is much more likely and common.


Used motors, should you need one, are cheap and plentiful!