Hi all.

How much would it cost to switch the transmission of a '79 245 wagon from automatic to standard?

Thanks
Conrad

 

That's dependent on what part of the country you live. It's a 4 hour job to swap like transmissions...more like 6-8 to install a manny. You need to swap the front portion of the driveshaft, swap tranny cross members, install a clutch/brake pedal cage, wire up the reverse lights, swap the flex plate for a flywheel. If you have a shop do it figure on 8 hours labor. At my shop, that would be in the neighborhood of $600. Plus the parts...

 

I'm in the North East (Boston). Would you reccomend having a private Volvo mechanic do the job, rather than a Volvo dealership?

 

First off the standard tranny's are not as good as the 4 speed Aisin Warner automatic...you have the 3 speed which is garbage...unless you want to replace clutches at $1000-$1200 install a 3 speed with 4th gear OD AISIN Warner automatic tranny...also DO NOT install an M47 straight 5 speed they are flawed...if you must install a standard do the M46 4 speed with 5th gear OD...Good luck it's a BIG job...Minimum $1000- $1200 labor plus parts probably...to do it right. $600 is CHEAP..DIRT CHEAP...that's like the cost to install a blower motor...

 

Since your car is NA and not making any real power, any of the manual Volvo transmissions will be fine. If you were turbo'd and making north of 300 hp you'd want to go with a T5, Getrag or Supra manny but for your purposes, either the M46 or M47 will be fine. The 90+ M47II is a slightly better version w/ an improved tail shaft. One advantage to the M47 is it is a true 5 speed rather than a 4 speed transmission with an electric overdrive attached. As they have an aluminum case, they also weigh less. If you are considering a swap because your current transmission is shot (if you have the 3 speed BW35, it needs to go) do consider the later automatics. Both the AW70 as well as the AW71 are far superior. If you can score an AW71, so much the better as it is the heavy duty version used behind turbo motors...much stouter than the AW70.

 

Sorry to disagree SWIFT but I have WAY too many bad M47's come through my shop...I HIGHLY recommend against it...and to find a gopd one is nearly impossible..they get real sloppy in 2nd and 5th gears...a lot of play...stick with an M46 or better the AISIN WARNER....only my opinion and from MY personal experience and seeing many bad M47's...also clutch kits just keep going up and I'm talking about my retail from World Pac...but do what you want obviously mine is only an OPINION as well as SWIFT...we are both just trying to help...good luck bro