SBC into 242DL, TLDS edition

That's TOO LAZY DIDNT SEARCH in this thread.

Well i searched a little.. and then quit. I figured if i asked here the results of that would be more humorous than if i continued browsing threads alone.

I have a 1978 Volvo 242dl 2dr in fine shape. Was trying to sell it but not getting much interest, then i got lazy and quit bumping my ads, and sure enough here i am now considering taking a perfectly good car and rendering it down into a perfectly good idea that never makes it all the way back to perfectly good car.

Im considering SBC for cheapness and because im more comfortable building the gm auto trannies.

It will be carb because i have taken on a solemn quest to build a carb car that works right. This will involve a wideband.

Probably be 700r4 because it's just as easy as a th350 and gets you an extra gear. Id go 4l60E if i could snap my fingers and get a free controller but governors dont botha me.

So, a carb, low-buck, auto trans, open diff volvo 242. I saw this referred to as the 'caveman/redneck' version of a v8 242 on turbo bricks but i dont think that's any kind of colloquial term.. just your typical carb/auto trans sneering-at.

GO!

Here is mine.

I have noticed that if you put better wheels on them, they look better.

Vigo wrote: I saw this referred to as the 'caveman/redneck' version of a v8 242 on turbo bricks but i dont think that's any kind of colloquial term.. just your typical carb/auto trans sneering-at. GO!

Go for it!

I'm not sure there's much to add... You have components picked out, now strip and re-equip!

Supposedly SBF fits better, but I'd rather have SBC too. Anything fits with a sawzall and welder.

That man is clearly excited about V8 torque.

The only thing i noticed about SBF fitting better is distributor not being on the firewall end.. was there something else?

I could handle a well built Volvo like that. Just a good cruiser would be nice.

Thats kind of the idea... the auto trans is partially so i could get my fiancee to drive it and the car would mostly be for times when her and i go somewhere together. She already likes the car but im too bored with the stock motor to keep it without changing that, and ive already got a handful of other sohc, 2-valve turbo 4cyls so that route also seems a bit boring/redundant.

There's a part of me that wants it to handle but for right now im just forcing that to the back of my head. That's a whole nother can of worms and the motor swap should definitely be done first.

Ok, so more specifically.. on the SBC front, let's say i wanted to start with a motor that didnt need aftermarket valve springs to hit 5500 rpm. I also want to be able to get into the 9:1+ compression range without buying pistons or shorter pushrods or affecting intake seal so there's a practical limit on what i could cut off the heads and deck.. Does that narrow down the donors any?

Check www.JagsThatRun.com for SBC into Volvo 240 motor mounts. Last time I looked, they were so cheap that it didn't pay to weld them yourself.

Also of note... if you want to run a front swaybar (and you do) you will need a bar for V-6 or Diesel 240. www.ipdusa.com also sells a front bar that will work, and is thicker than stock. The bar from an I-4 car will not clear your oil pan.

Vigo wrote: The only thing i noticed about SBF fitting better is distributor not being on the firewall end.. was there something else?

Realistically, I think that's about it. I'm sure it's not terribly hard to get around. I want to say the brake booster clearance is tight either way, can't remember what the hell I've read on the topic anymore.

Take any of my BS worth a grain of salt, I just read up on the subject a few years ago for a coworker with a 240 who was too lazy to do his homework.

Off to turbobricks I go!

The Ford also clears the crossmember better, and its a well scienced out swap. The Fox 5.0 and 5speed doesn't even need the shifter hole altered.

The Chev is a bit tougher to fit, both height and widthwise, and running a carb makes it that much taller. I'm not suggesting it won't work, just that you have to do a bit more work.

If I could go back in time to when I drove those 140 and 240 series cars...

Nah, a teenage male with that kind of power, I'd have killed myself several times over.

Looks like lots of fun.

I have always loved the idea of a Volvo 242 with a v8. I don't have any experience or advice beyond do it.

What were you asking for the car? It looks nice.

I have nothing to add except that I wholeheartedly support this idea. As a second generation Swedish-American, stuffing a good ol' American V8 into a Volvo appeals to me on a deep level.

Vigo wrote: Here is mine. I have noticed that if you put better wheels on them, they look better.

I quite like the body colored steelies. I vote for having them widened.

failboat wrote:

Vigo wrote: Here is mine. I have noticed that if you put better wheels on them, they look better.

I quite like the body colored steelies. I vote for having them widened.

Re-barreled steel wheels with polished trim rings seems like a winner to me.

Do people tuck the bumpers or remove them or something along those lines?

Are you too lazy to look here? http://converse-engineering.com/

Where was it listed for sale? That thing looks great.

minimac wrote: Are you too lazy to look here? http://converse-engineering.com/

That conversion uses Ford parts.

minimac wrote: Are you too lazy to look here? http://converse-engineering.com/

Hey! They are 1 hour north of me.

Hey its "The Latter Day Saints" thread, or not.

That is going to be the E36 M3 with the poverty spec caps and a head bobbing dog in the back window.

I am digging the widened stock wheels with 'poverty spec caps' idea! hehehe

I listed it here (iirc...?), 2 local CLs and on turbo bricks. $2500 obo. Yup... didnt sell.

I dont think im seriously considering a ford swap at this point because of the minor cubes deficit, the generally slightly higher pricing, and.. well that's it.

Honestly, i think one of the cool things too about any old SBC swap is you can always swap in something else later that nearly bolts in, like a 6.5 diesel or an LS, etc. Maybe even a 4.2L I-6.. but i digress! My focus is on SBC/700r4 and making a carb work right!

I like a V8, but i'd personally prefer to see a B230 in there... with massive boost.

I have 13 cars. 4 have turbo 4cyls currently. 3 more are planned to get turbo 4 cyls.. and i have 2 more turbo 4cyl builds i want to try on top of that but dont have specific plans for. I also have schemes for a turbo 3 cyl (insight), 2 turbo v6s (magnum, dynasty), and a roots blown v6 (caravan).

I dont want any more turbo or 4cyl cars/ideas than i already have..

Boosted B230 would be an easier route to power, but... I'm freaking tired, and SBC/700R4 sounds waaay more relaxing. Do it!