What automatic transmissions bolt up to a really old Volvo?

I don't have much info here, but my uncle is considering a Volvo product. We were talking at a wedding last night and it was loud, so I didn't get a ton if information, but he described it as "the one that looks like a [40's or 50's or 60's, I couldn't hear] Ford", and it has a 4 cylinder.

After some sleuthing online, I believe that it would be the PV544 or maybe the amazon. But probably the 544.

Here is the issue though: he needs an automatic. Would the later 200 series autos bolt up to these earlier Volvo's? If not, is there something that would?

This is a man who put an 8.2 Cadillac engine in a 37 Ford pickup that used to be mostly rust and is also working on putting a Buick I-8 in a Model A that was in a fire. He knows what he is doing, but knows nothing about Volvos.

The volvo transmission of choice in that era was the BW35. It came on a few Amazons actually. The PV544 and Amazon shared engines so that wouldn't pose a problem. I'm unsure if it would fit in the 544's trans tunnel.

The later 240 automatics used an AW70, which probably would require a lot more work to make fit.

bastomatic wrote: The volvo transmission of choice in that era was the BW35. It came on a few Amazons actually. The PV544 and Amazon shared engines so that wouldn't pose a problem. I'm unsure if it would fit in the 544's trans tunnel. The later 240 automatics used an AW70, which probably would require a lot more work to make fit.

Yeah.

I think the newer trans would bolt up, but as the newer engines were canted over instead of standing straight up, the trans would sit leaned over 15 or 20 degrees to the left. I don't think that would be a deal breaker, as long as the fluid level was brought up, or the pan reworked and the screen moved down. The bigger issue is trans tunnel size. There would be some very serious reworking required there.

The BW35 trans I have described in the past as a British invention used to transform rotational motion into a stream of oil on the ground.

I'm guessing he means a 122S. It is not hard to find one with the BW35 automatic and if you want the auto, find an original auto car as the transmission tunnel was wider for the Borg Warner transmission. Going from a stick to a auto would require some modifications.

As Bastomatic stated, I don't know if the fitment issues would impact an auto fitment into a PV544.

If it looks like a 40s Ford, it's got to be the PV544.

According to this thread, significant mods are required even for the BW35.

Yes, when the 1800 became available with the BW35, they made the transmission tunnel a bit larger so it would fit. On the good side, all cars made after this date ('69, IIRC) have the larger tunnel. Earlier cars - forget it. You basically have to cut and swap the tunnel sheet metal.

I don't recall ever seeing a 122 with an automatic, but I could be wrong. Many of the changes to the 1800 were done in conjunction with the introduction of the 140 series that replaced the 122 around '69. An automatic was a reasonably common 140 option.

I've heard of one guy who installed an AW70 in his 1800. I"m pretty sure he modified the bell-housing so the transmission would be oriented correctly.

Ian F wrote: I don't recall ever seeing a 122 with an automatic, but I could be wrong.

Rare, but out there. They are an entirely new definition of sluggish.

Ian F wrote: I don't recall ever seeing a 122 with an automatic, but I could be wrong.

my wifes first 122S... was fair... you felt EVERY gear change...

the interesting story for this car... we were at Rockaway Townsquare Mall in NJ... @ Xmas(1984 maybe)... in traffic waiting to leave..... "we" were stopped" but the rear brakes were not as well adjusted... and the car began to creep sideways on the ice slush... she added a bit more pressure to the pedal and we stopped sliding.....

Streetwiseguy wrote:

Ian F wrote: I don't recall ever seeing a 122 with an automatic, but I could be wrong.

Rare, but out there. They are an entirely new definition of sluggish.

Are they really that rare? I've got a 2 door '67 that started life as an auto but was swapped to a 4 speed by the time I got it. I also have a '66 coupe that is an auto but I haven't gotten to drive it much as the oil seals on the shift linkage shafts DO NOT want to seal. I don't want to but I'm probably going to have to pull it to really fix it. Oh joy.

Here's a 544 that looks like a good starting point.

1963 544 Ebay

Though I want to know more about the '70's Celica in one of the pictures.

hobiercr wrote:

Streetwiseguy wrote:

Ian F wrote: I don't recall ever seeing a 122 with an automatic, but I could be wrong.

Rare, but out there. They are an entirely new definition of sluggish.

Are they really that rare? I've got a 2 door '67 that started life as an auto but was swapped to a 4 speed by the time I got it. I also have a '66 coupe that is an auto but I haven't gotten to drive it much as the oil seals on the shift linkage shafts DO NOT want to seal. I don't want to but I'm probably going to have to pull it to really fix it. Oh joy.

Rare doesn't make them desirable. Even in the 1800 world where originality is prized, few will berate an owner for converting a BW35 car to an M41. Mainly because it's a bolt-in change.