I just picked up this Volvo with 305,286 miles, It dumps trans fluid like a kid at his first frat party. Drives forward fine, but reverse is a no go. I tried pulling the car backwards in reverse and in neutral but the tires lock up...?? I just did a recent motor and trans swap on an 87 245 that had a bad crank seal. Will this trans fit my 83?

 

does your 83 have an AW70 tranny? then your 87 slushbox should drop in pretty much as-is.

 

I believe they are the same? How can I tell prior to removal? The trans pan and shift linkage all look the same.

 

the transmission should have a model plate on the left side, near the bottom, under a bunch of grime and muck. I used brake-kleen to get the undercoating off so I could read it. AW70 and AW71 transmissions are all pretty much the same (the AW71 is a heavier duty version used on the turbo cars)

 

Here is what the plate looks like.

 

Excellent info, I guess I will be under the 244 later checking it out. Thanks all.

 

looks like there's 4 possible transmissions in an 83.... AW55, BW55 are 3-speed without overdrive, while AW70/AW71 are overdrive.

there's a TON of different volvo part numbers for these, I had them all typed in, then closed the window before I saved it <DOY!>

if you don't see a AW kinda number but do see a 7 digit PN 1208220, post that and I'll try and match it up.

 

Ok I cleaned them both snd the model is 03-70 on both and there is a 1208 on both tags as well.... Paydirt?

 

I believe 03-70 is the AW70 transmission. there was probably another 3-digit number after the 1208, but that hardly matters... sounds like it should be a straight forward bolt-up job. last thing to do is closely inspect the output flange where the drive shaft is bolted up, but even if those are different, likely you can move the one to the other.

 

what's leaking on the tranny? why not just replace the seal or gasket?

 

Really concerned about the amount of slippage and the whole lockup in reverse and neutral.

 

On the good trans it has a 485 under the 1208, I can't make out the 3 digits on the bad one. However the bolts on the output shaft are smaller.

 

 

looks like part numbers#1208485 and part #1208320

 

 

1208320...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z...5%252520AM.jpg

1208485...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...9%252520AM.jpg

for whatever thats worth.

 

I would start by replacing the ATF.

 

Well it looks like a lot of the same parts: and housing. Do you think I can swap the trans without disconnecting the torque converters?

 

I am curious, but what about the slippage in forward and the locking up in reverse, in my opinion the trans is damaged, but if you think resealing and dumping fluid in it will cure 300000 miles of use and however many miles the guy before me drove it while it spewed fluid.... It couldn't hurt. Or I could just pop in the 88 trans and call it good.

 

I've never swapped a tranny myself, so I couldn't say. this sort of job, I take to my mechanic who has lifts and all the right stuff.