I'm trading out engines in my 1998 v70. As I spoke of in an earlier post the engine noise I heard was a bad rod bearing, crank, etc. I puchased a new engine and I am going to do the swap myself. I have a few questions to get started. Do I need to take out the transmission also or do I put them together in the car. The A/C has been empty for five years so I don't have to worry about that. Any other advice??

 

It's much easier to assemble the engine to the transmission while they are both outside the car. Although I have not done a swap on a volvo, on others I have done this is the case. It should come out fine once the drive shafts are removed and the hood is off.

EDIT: One tip I can give you, label EVERY wire harness and hose you unhook with some blue painters tape and a marker. Remove the tape as you make reconnections and it will be easy to spot anything you missed along the way.

 

You can to it either way. I have done it both ways I have pulled the motor and trans together and I have left the trans in the car.

It is about the same amount of work either way.