Transmission swap question 1983 Volvo 240 DL Canada.

sergitin32 · Post by **sergitin32** » 03 Apr 2015, 01:25

Hello, and happy easter every one.
I am thinking in swapping my 3 gears BW55 transmission for an AW70 (3 gears plus overdrive,) with the idea of putting in there an Ipd overdrive bypass adapter and make it a 4 gears gearbox. Now, the seller mentioned he is keeping the dipstick and selling me the transmission with his old dipstick/tube which is 3 inches shorter (he did not explain shorter how) in order for him to be able to measure the levels easier.
He mentioned having an 1989 but didn't say if this is where the dipstick/tube is coming from.
Now, researching online, i found in the transmission volvo page that 1989 comes with the same AW70 tranny, so I wonder if it is possible that some same model trannys have longer and some shorter dipsticks? maybe depending on the market they were sold? I know it sounds dumb but its that or he has another car / tranny as the donor, so far I have asked twice and sill waiting for an answer . Also if the dipstick and tube are shorter,would it be a problem for the swap? Since the AW70 is longer than my BW55 I assume my stick / tube wont work... So I wonder if this would be the case for the one he is giving me as well?

I know have some crossmember challenges, and the install of the solenoide bypass (saving the electrical work though), so I didn't want to ad trouble to my project if the length / shape of the tube and dipstick are going to be on the way for the install as well since my car is in daily use.

Thanks for any responses you may have. I will keep looking info around.
Sergitin.

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 03 Apr 2015, 15:03

sergitin32 wrote:BW55>>>>AW70

I know nothing about how Volvo used these transmissions, but I understand the BW55s tended to be for I-4-Vertical engines, and AW70 was used for I-4-Slanted engines.

That said, I understand the bell housings can be switched, so you could take a BW55 housing and mate it to a AW70, and install engine slanted.

Dipstick height may have been related to engine's position.

Is your BW55 mated to a vertical or slanted engine? So, will your engine be in a slanted or vertical position? What are we dealing with here?

I'm looking for a BW55 housing to mate to a vertical engine setup, btw.

sergitin32 · Post by **sergitin32** » 03 Apr 2015, 21:11

These differences between up and slanted are news to me, wao!! you are kinda adding more conflict to my problem, lol. I pretty much followed a thread at turbobrick that said the swap was pretty much straight forward except for the crossmember not fitting in the right holes. So you need to make new holes or find some more innovative solution for this (welding etc), it never looked like the bell housing is going to be a problem... but well if it needs to be swapped then it will be done, i guess.

I will look more into it. Any thread so far mentions some issues with the bell housing, mainly speedo cables and cross members, but thats about it, linkages should be from the aw70 since the BW55 are different.

Thanks for the heads up, I will write back if i find something.

Sergitin.

sergitin32 · Post by **sergitin32** » 03 Apr 2015, 23:38

Found this on my search for answers.

"The AW55 and BW55 are very similar transmissions, both utilize discs for gear engagement.The AW70/71, which was introduced in Volvo models beginning in 1982, is essentially an AW55 transmission with another gear set installed into an extended converter housing. It has four forward speeds,fourth being an overdrive ratio. The AW70/71 transmission was used on the B21, B23 and B230 series of engines which share the bell housing bolt pattern with the B18 & B20. However, the B21, B23 and B230series engines were installed in an inclined orientation, while the B 18 and B20 were mounted in an upright configuration. Direct fitment of the AW70/71, or for that matter the AW/BW55 onto a B18/B20 engine is possible, however the transmission will not sit level. This will negatively impact fitment into vehicles and longevity of the transmission. "

This would be a good answer to your suggestion, my engine is a B21A, hence inclined, hence it would take the BW55 (stock) and the AW70 with no problem.

Thanks for the heads up for sure!
Happy Easter every body.

Sergitin.

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 03 Apr 2015, 23:39

sergitin32 wrote:Any thread so far mentions some issues with the bell housing, mainly speedo cables and cross members...

Overall length is different between the two, but you should be able to find a cross member for AW70....and of course, the shorter driveshaft

I checked transmission database, and yes, they installed BW55 upto 1986.

If all you do is putter around town mostly, one is wasting their time. Fuel economy wise, its more along highway miles, not city miles.

All 240s had slanted engines by 1976 in US states. My 1975's engine, B20, is vertical.

On 1975, Volvo had different frame-bolt setup for different cross-members, so you could install different length transmissions. Look underneath yours.

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 04 Apr 2015, 00:03

sergitin32 wrote:Found this on my search

I don't have time to review: Volvo Automatic Discussion (part 2)

Somewhere, I recall bells would switch....but with non-lockups.

sergitin32 · Post by **sergitin32** » 04 Apr 2015, 00:03

Yes, I will make sure to look down here to see if there are ay more holes in the rails. Thanks.

Exactly B20 and B18 straight up engines have issues with durability in case of swapping.

Right now I am debating if I should ask the seller his crossmember or should I still be safe with my BW55's crossmember fitting the AW70 and just having to look for the new hole location in the side rails?

I know it will mainly mean highway driving economy, I do pretty much 50/50 city and Hwy.
Even though less I would still count with better economy when in the long roads which I am really craving with the prices of fuel in the canadian side of the border.

Thanks again man.

Sergitin.

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 04 Apr 2015, 00:09

sergitin32 wrote:Right now

Do your homework...don't buy anything. And Get the Right Parts.

On production vehicles, they generally make them all the same....So, if only one set of frame mount bolts exist, then different cross members are required.

I have a 1984 AW70 cross member, but I have not decided what to do with it....I may pull the B20, and install a B230F....decisions/decisions.

sergitin32 · Post by **sergitin32** » 04 Apr 2015, 00:25

no worries I am doing my homework.
i can always ask for his crossmember and see if he will give it away.
cheers.

sergitin32 · Post by **sergitin32** » 04 Apr 2015, 00:27

I also have a welder and i am not afraid of using it to fab what ever it takes to fix the problem.