Transmission swap question 1983 Volvo 240 DL Canada.

[93Regina]

...doing my homework.

Myself, I'd look for an AW71L transmission...not uncommon on later NA 940s/740s.

AW71L, below 45 mph, will "coast" when foot is off accelerator pedal. And above 45 mph, the lockup TC engages.

Hence, better city/hwy fuel economy, if driver inputs are "geared" toward fuel economy.

My 1/4 million US mile 940 came with one, along with a blown engine when I bought it; so, I also installed a new transmission oil-pump, along with rebuilt TC when I installed a rebuilt engine. About $300.00 extra for pump (online transmission parts house) and TC (ebay).

Lockup TCs wear out, and any older auto needs a new oil pump.

[lummert]

BW55 changed to AW55 when Borg Warner changed to Aisin Warner.

[sergitin32]

Well, I started this thread because I do have someone selling this AW70 and shaft drive with only 155xxx km within my budget (tight) and in my area. At this point I can not afford what you are mentioning. I also do not drive a lot, always try to keep my preferences into bicycling first, motorcycling second and driving the volvo third if needed. So this is just a part to make my volvo a little bit more economical and a better ride overall, even with the idea of keeping my BW55 in case something goes wrong along the AW70 experience... no complains in regards to my stock tranny except fuel economy.

Nothing fancy or super, just a few little improvements for an overall better driving experience. And also having the good time of tinkering with my Volvo, otherwise whats the point on having one?

I am thinking doing the Ipd suspension upgrade (bushings, sway bars, springs and shocks) then maybe the sport exhaust, wheel spacers in the rear, and a couple small broken things to fix (driver and behind diver door handles) thats what I have planned for the next 3 years or so.

Cheers.

[93Regina]

I also do not drive a lot

1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

2. Bean Count - Later day three speed autos, like yours, could get decent fuel economy with a motivated driver. In town, only a peanuts difference, on highway, yes higher fuel economy, but compare estimates to a 4-speed stick with OD, or AW70. 2200 RPM is the fastest you want a gasoline engine to run for best fuel economy. That's somewhere around 50 mph US for a AW70...depending upon tire size, of course.

3. Duct tape a fresh egg on your accelerator pedal, your mileage will improve greatly.

If you do switch, I might be interested in your driveshaft/mount...if you need AW70 driveshaft/mount, let me know via PM. I assume you live in Canada...otherwise, shipping might be a bit too much elsewhere.

[sergitin32]

Our top speed in city streets is 50 km/h, thats about there 2000 - 2200 rpm for my BW55;
highway top speed is around 100 or 110 km/h, thats around 3600 rpm for the BW55.

Normally I cruze around 60kph and 2500 rpms give and take from up or down hills.

Believe me, i do hyper-mileage quite a bit driving as smooth and gently as possible,
but my car still a gas guzzler.recently changed thermostat, PCV system, took a bunch of emission control stuff out of the picture and keep aiming for better mileage and drivability.
So far this AW70 is the best deal I came up with towards that goal.

[93Regina]

still a gas guzzler

USA Volvo

1975 - The city average for all 1975 Volvos tested ranged between 15 and 17 miles per gallon. Volvo's all-model average for highway driving in a new government test this year was between 22 and 26 miles per gallon.

First year of AW70
1981 - The DL is powered by Volvo's reliable and economical 2.1 liter four-cylinder B-21F engine featuring an overhead camshaft, continuous fuel injection and solid state breaker-less ignition. The B-21F can be ordered with automatic or four-speed with overdrive transmission. The electrically activated overdrive operates like a fifth gear, reducing engine revolutions by 20 percent, thus increasing economy and cutting engine wear.

So, what is your fuel economy?

[sergitin32]

My car is carbureted, so my fuel economy is a little under par,
after years fixing and trying to make things better i think I am in a good place now driving wise.
Still the fuel consumption sucks. I would be doing around 320 km from full to the neck to the red line
Still haven't quite calculated the amount of gas since I have been playing quite a bit with the carb needle setup and recently purchased a color-tune gunson just to make sure it is not running super rich, it is not.

So since last needle position i had to "rise" the floater 1mm to the max (17mm) with inverted carb in my Zenith-Stromberg CV carb. then play with the needle to accomplish a nice idle, acceleration and economy, I hope to reach 400 km to the tank this time but not so sure yet... still been gentle in my driving.

Will let you know when I re-fill next time.

Sergitin.

[93Regina]

My car is carbureted

1959 Volvo PV544 - This engine and transmission combination gave the car a sparkling 95 MPH top speed, and mileage in the range of 25 to 35 MPG.

Full synchromesh four-speed gearbox, with 1:1 final, like your current transmission.

[sergitin32]

Ahahaha, well mine is 3 gears forward and reverse, exactly totalling four gears, also I have 2.1L engine single carburetor and a bunch of emission control buggers, not sure if the aerodynamics are so good in these 240s vs those older volvos, but dang if I would love to do around 25mpg! Very impressive to see a twin carb setup being so efficient and seing fuel economy on those numbers... I wonder how, every piece I read in regards to twining the Z-Stroberg carbs talks about ruining my wallet.
I do have another spare carb and dreamt for a while on designing and welding an intake manifold my self. But never again after reading more on the topic.
I a always close to 17mpg if so. As I say not really wotting much. but I do like to go around 120km/h on the highway and there is where the fuel economy suffers, i think.
Thanks for the brain food... nice articles.

Sergitin.

[lummert]

What size tires on this 240?