1992 960 - Engine Block Number

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » 26 Aug 2013, 22:09

Hey guys,

So a few months ago I bought a 1992 Volvo 960 with 210,000km on the clock. Everything on the car runs great and the only issues I've had since I bought it have been "minor" (someone not tightening my coolant reservoir cap, and a broken sway bar end link).

The time has come though for the big bag timing belt replacement, something I can't put off. Now when I contacted my local parts supplier, they mentioned that there are two different sets of timing belt assemblies for 1992. Something about engines up to 131034 use a different setup than engines 131035 and up.

Now my engine is 488235, which seems high to me. Do I have a 1992 engine or was it swapped out at some point?

Thanks guys!

danr960 · Post by **danr960** » 27 Aug 2013, 08:19

I do not know just how many engines volvo ended up making, but the engine number is located in front of the exhaust heat shield on the exhaust manifold, just under the coolant pipe that bolts to the head.
You might have to clean the surface, but with a flashlight it can be viewed without removing anything.

Another way might be to remove the timing belt cover and measure the the width of the belt.
I think that really was the only change. If you do have a newer engine in your vehicle then your timing belt intervals might be for the latest version.

DanR '94 964 387,000 miles (123,000 miles on the new engine) engine #7069. I went much earlier with my replacement engine, it is a '91.

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » 27 Aug 2013, 11:25

Thanks Dan.

I had to scrub off a lot of dirty and got a clear read of B6304S and 488235. The previous owner did mention that the engine was rebuilt, but it's possible he got rebuilt and replaced mixed up.

Whatever the case, I'll have to remove the timing belt cover and measure the belt width. If it is a 1995 engine the belt should be 28mm wide, correct?

danr960 · Post by **danr960** » 27 Aug 2013, 15:27

Yeah, my research confirms that size.
'92 - '93 - 21 mm width - 143 teeth
'94 - 23 mm width - 148 teeth
'95 - 28 mm width - 152 teeth

I used the timing belt parts from my '94 on the new '91 engine. It took a slight modification to the tensioner pulley bolt hole. But it has worked for over 150k miles now. The '94's interval is 50K miles and the 95 and up I believe is 75K miles.

Also I believe some where in those years volvo messed around with the shape of the grooves in the timing pulleys, rounded vs square.

DanR