1998 V70 timing belt: number of teeth

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 09 Apr 2015, 13:51

Greetings all!!
I had the misfortune of having the timing belt on my V70 tear apart while driving on the NYS Thruway about 10 days ago. I did not discover this until a few days of trying other restart measures. But, my problem is this: the old belt that torn apart has 148 teeth; the new belt has 142 teeth. Which belt should I be using on my '98 Volvo V70 base? Appreciate any and all replies!

Post by **misha** » 09 Apr 2015, 15:03

If the old one had 148...then you will need a belt with 148 teeth.I'm affraid that it's not your ONLY concern.
You will need a rebuilt head because there are some bent valves in yours...or to take yours and have it rebuilt.Besides that,there should be a new timing belt kit installed.

Timing belt failure on these cars means GAME OVER,usually just for the head internal components like exhaust and intake valves.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 09 Apr 2015, 20:06

Yes, I realize there might be more damage. I suppose it would make sense to determine how much damage before replacing the water pump and installing a new timing belt plus pulley's, etc. Would that require removing the head (as there is no other way to see valves, etc inside the motor)?

Regarding the number of teeth on the timing belt, I looked for the engine serial number and could not make out the third digit, so its either 1234533 or 1274533; given the belt my car needs requires 148 teeth, I am surmising that the engine serial number is 1234533, since V70s with a serial number after 1266128 require 142 teeth. The top part of the third digit looks like a 7, but I think its a 3. Does this make sense? Thanks for your reply!

Post by **abscate** » 10 Apr 2015, 05:27

KM...see thread below in case you need cylinder head work..

Clearwater in FL will sell you a reworked head for under 600 USd ready to go

(Will post link here)

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=69186

Post by **precopster** » 10 Apr 2015, 06:51

If you have a hydraulic tensioner you have 148 teeth. If you have a manual spring tensioner you have 142 teeth.

Also if you have distributor cap and leads there's a 99.5% chance it's 148 teeth.

The engine number is also stamped next to number 1 exhaust port on a plate facing upwards. Wipe off the grime and see if you can get a camera/phone set to macro in there.

Post by **mecheng** » 10 Apr 2015, 07:49

I have cap and rotor and have a mech tensioner. Later model 98s were fitted with the mech tensioner.

Post by **rspi** » 10 Apr 2015, 09:04

The car that I am currently rebuilding has a mechanical tensioner and wires, distributor, etc. I believe ALL '98 car have cap and rotor, the break is with the tensioner.

At any rate, there is NO NEED to check for bent valves, they are if the car jumped time.

Post by **misha** » 10 Apr 2015, 10:01

Yep....coil packs were introduced in '99 with Denso management.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Apr 2015, 05:34

KM..active thread on Clearwater option above...please research