Buying a 94 960 sedan - What do I need to know?

Post by **scot850** » 01 Nov 2024, 00:08

I need another car like a hole in the head. Always liked the 940/960. I'd prefer a wagon but they are like hens teeth up here.

What do I need to know about the 960 motor. Especially one with over 200,000 miles.

I've owned a 760 turbo and a 940 turbo so the mechanicals don't worry me, especially on a 4 cylinder red block. I have no experience or knowledge on the 6 cylinder (i6?) engine in terms of reliability and longevity. Are they as good as the 4 cylinder? I think I recall they may have had head gasket issues.

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **matthew1** » 01 Nov 2024, 22:39

Inline 6, aluminum, sister to the modular, famous inline 5. I don't know if the head gaskets tend to fail or not... I don't recall reading anything about it.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 02 Nov 2024, 10:30

Wiki says there were many engines available in the 960 in various markets. See here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_900_Series
Of interest to me is the 960 was rear wheel drive, but offered the white block engine. This appears to open the option of building a T5 engine in a 240 Volvo if you found the right parts. A terror on the streets!
volvolugnut

Post by **scot850** » 04 Nov 2024, 16:50

The rear wheel drive and auto box is what concerns me the most here where we get snow and ice and not allowed to use studded tires. Having owned RWD cars in snowy climes with auto boxes it was not fun. RWD with a manual trans is another thing altogether!

I missed the white block option in the Wiki info. I saw the 24 valve 4 cylinder from the 760 turbo and the old PRV V6 as well as the i6. Not sure we had any option other than the i6 here. Now a 960 wagon...........

Neil.