Swapping a B23E from a B230F
#1
03-22-2010, 02:03 PM
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Swapping a B23E from a B230F
Hello all, I've been driving and working on volvo's for years now, but this is the first time I'm doing a full engine swap. I'm the proud owner of a 1985 740 GLE with the 4 speed auto, but due to many transient electrical problems and the fact I dislike the B230 engine, I have a 1984 B23E engine with CIS that I want to put in.
Has anyone done this before? I know it's usually someone putting in a newer engine, but I know how to tweak the older one's much better. Hell, my last Volvo was a 1974 142GL with 1.7 million miles with all orig mechanical. If anyone could point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.
Has anyone done this before? I know it's usually someone putting in a newer engine, but I know how to tweak the older one's much better. Hell, my last Volvo was a 1974 142GL with 1.7 million miles with all orig mechanical. If anyone could point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.
#2
03-27-2010, 12:51 AM
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I'm not a mechanic. But this might help.
Years ago, I bought a beautiful '85 240GL which had similar swap, before my purchase. Seller, an ASE mechanic (not Volvo savvy), installed a B23 engine from a salvage yard to replace original B230. He was not aware of the difference, since everything fit fine. After installing the B23, he couldn't get the car to run over 30mph.
I got the car for a steal, only $1,200. I was confident my old friend, a "shade tree mechanic", could solve the problem. My friend improved it to 'bout 50 mph by changing the distributor and/or rotor. It's been many years. But, I seem to recall a difference in rotors. Still engine did not run as good as it should. Then, suddenly it came to me. Since engines were different, perhaps, other electronics were, also. I ran that idea by another mechanic who specializes in Volvos. He smiled as his eyes lit up. Bingeaux! After he swapped the ECU, it ran great. Therefore, be sure to use correct distributor and electronics.
I got the car for a steal, only $1,200. I was confident my old friend, a "shade tree mechanic", could solve the problem. My friend improved it to 'bout 50 mph by changing the distributor and/or rotor. It's been many years. But, I seem to recall a difference in rotors. Still engine did not run as good as it should. Then, suddenly it came to me. Since engines were different, perhaps, other electronics were, also. I ran that idea by another mechanic who specializes in Volvos. He smiled as his eyes lit up. Bingeaux! After he swapped the ECU, it ran great. Therefore, be sure to use correct distributor and electronics.
Last edited by banjeaux; 03-27-2010 at 11:42 AM. Reason: In order to correct original post to match delayed recall of facts. ;-)
#3
03-28-2010, 01:37 PM
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Thank you very much for the input. I took all the ignition components when I yanked the B23E. I thought it might be different when they went to a horizontal distributor, instead of the usual vertical one. I'm just waiting for a 240 book so I can refresh my memory with the wiring of the CIS fuel system. Some people might think it's a major step back to use it, but I'm more used to the mechanical system then the electronic one. Lol too many damn sensors.
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