95 to 97 850 manual swap

dairyqueen814 · Post by **dairyqueen814** » 23 Aug 2014, 09:09

Hello all,
I just got a $500 donor car with a manual tranny in it and I'm looking to swap it into my 97 NA wagon.
I know it wont be the easiest thing in the world but I think having an actual entire donor car will help make the progress a bit quicker.
I have my haynes manual and all the links to the different forums (parts bible, writeups etc.)
My plan of attack is to lift the whole engine tranny sub-frame assembly right out of the car and proceed from there.
First of all... does that seem like a sound plan? Any suggestions on a different easier way? I'm open to thoughts.
Second, the donor car is a 95 base model, any idea what tranny it has? M56h? M56L?
I'll be most likely posting here as the job progresses with questions or pictures.
Any input or wisdom you guys have would be greatly appreciated.

On a weird side note, I decided to decode the VIN on the donor car and it appears that it says it has an automatic... I know this is not true as I have driven the car and.. well.. duh it's kind of obvious. Could it mean someone swapped in a manual and the tranny isn't stock? Or am I decoding it incorrectly?

Thanks as always guys,

Nick

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Aug 2014, 09:34

Besides searches for "manual swap" — which will return dozens of links here on MVS — in this post I put down the years/ratios for the various units to help id them.

Volvo 850/S70/V70/C70 manual transmission ID

Let us know how you fare!

Post by **j-dawg** » 23 Aug 2014, 13:17

it's possible to drop the subframe and trans out from underneath. you need to lower the engine a bit off its mounts to do that. which way is easier probably depends on your space and equipment.

if i'm not mistaken the M56L was replaced with the M65H in '95 (i might be wrong on this one). i believe the H is more common.

i've never done the transmission swap but that's what i remember from when i was reading about it. it's hard to find 5sp wagons - you'll have a real gem when you're done.

Post by **abscate** » 23 Aug 2014, 17:50

it's hard to find 5sp wagons -

When you find them, strike quickly, grasshopper......

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 23 Aug 2014, 19:51

Here's the research I've done so far. Maybe it will help you out as well. I have an M56 waiting to go in. Just need time to do it... lol

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=62160

Post by **rspi** » 24 Aug 2014, 02:22

Check the tag to see which one is in it. The H is later, 96+ and will work better to get your speedometer right (cruise control issues). Have fun and start fresh.

dairyqueen814 · Post by **dairyqueen814** » 24 Aug 2014, 03:59

Great thanks so far guys,
I'll be tearing into the donor car today (but removing it will be the easy part)
I'm pretty excited

Nick

dairyqueen814 · Post by **dairyqueen814** » 31 Aug 2014, 08:32

Slow week. trying not to overwhelm myself. So far I have the shifter cables out and the actual shifter and center console. (easy enough I know)
Forgive me for broad stroking this but as far as I can see all I need to do is remove the gear box and clutch and flywheel along with the pedals and cylinders and I'll have everything I need out of the car!
I'll definitely be getting a new clutch and pressure plate and getting the flywheel turned. And replacing any seals on my wagon that are hard to get to (pretty sure my rear main seal is leaking)
I'm also trying to get the intake manifold off but I can't for the life of me get the last bolt! the one all the way to the passengers side. I've noticed the manifold is a different design (looks more boxy than the rounded one in my 97) is there any actual difference between them?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Aug 2014, 09:45

The bottom manifold bolt is a bear but if you get long extensions you can get to it through the loop in the line behind the power steering pump. The trick is to get the socket on the swivel onto the bolt head. I always wrap the swivel with a piece of electrical tape so that I can better "aim" it.

Be sure to get the vacuum lines and switches that go with the pedals. They are different on the manual transmission setup since the clutch will also disengage the cruise control.

...Lee

dairyqueen814 · Post by **dairyqueen814** » 10 Sep 2014, 09:48

So it's been slow going as school just started up again. I'm going to be lifting the engine/tranny out this weekend. While I was disassembling everything I took off the intake mani (finally got that last bolt)
When I took it off and looked at it the ports seem to have an actuator that moves a flap up and down
what system is this? It seems like something cool that could be fun to work with. After I swap the trannies I'm going to get the engine in good running condition mostly for fun but also just in case I need stuff. I have pictures if they would help

Nick