All,

A fishing buddy of mine has a fairly pristene 88 240DL wagon, languishing on his carport...seems the automatic stopped shifting completely, and now the car has been sitting for approx. 2 years.

As he has explained, this 2 owner car is fairly clean, rustfree, and was running well up to the failure.

An old college buddy, coincidentally, has an 89 240DL that his son slowly put to death (and watched rust away in Ohio) with a manual gearbox.

Being in need of a challenge, I am contemplating resurrecting the wagon using the straight drive components of the 89, and probably doing a rebuild on the manual before the swap.

I am looking for words of wisdom (or dread) from those that have done this swap. Why do it? Well, my local reputable Autobox rebuilder quoted me $1700 to do the full rebuild on the autobox, and second, I much prefer straight drive.

Thanks!

DET

Oh yes, my daughter drives a 91 240 Sedan, the reason I became interested in Volvo's to start with....an extremely well built machine.

Go for it !! Did an auto to M47 swap on my 89, about 130+ miles ago. Best thing that ever happen to my Brick. Kept the auto diff, no problem...very short 1st gear...after that good pulling,,..and just keeps on winding up.

Should be info on swap somewher in archives. Part time...give yourself at least a week. Go for new parts, clutch, pressure plate, pilot bearing, cable, etc...no sense having to go under cause a part went South.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions...hopefully, I can help you out.

Oh....get 29-31 mpg highway.
--
84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, still in rehab; 89, 245 DL, 323K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K ; and other toys.

The PITA (pain in the ass) factor of swaps is really gathering all the parts. Sure, its a lot of work, but if you have two complete cars side by side you save yourself a lot of headaches.

I think the 86 and 89 have different pick-up points for the speedo cable - so you may want/need to swap axles as well, if for no other reason than keeping the ratios the same as stock.
--
Jonathan Knauer - 94 945Ti - fun!

I have done a couple of those swaps - once an auto GLT to a Ford 5.0 with T-5, and another auto GLT to a four speed OD trans. They are a lot of work, not the least of which is swapping in the pedal bracket and in some cases drilling the firewall for the clutch cable. One of the cars came from the factory without the hole and plug as most autos have.
The manual trans will not need to be rebuilt. They can be as expensive as the auto, or more so if they need rebuilding. With both cars side by side you will have all that you need. I did not change the diffs in either case - the ratio makes little difference. However a new clutch may be indicated when you get it apart, and there will be some wiring to attend to in eliminating the neutral safety switch and in adding the overdrive relay and indicator light.
If two weeks in your regular job nets you $1700.00, you might consider just having the auto rebuilt, or installing a good used one. Because it will take you two weeks of spare time at least to do the swap.
If you were nearby, I have two good used autos....
I will never do the conversion again - but that's just middle age speaking.

i've done that - it's not difficult if you have the two cars side by side. takes a lot of time though. the 88 wagon will probably need other work besides the transmission - it would be a miracle if it didn't.

Realistically, you might well be be money ahead if you just installed a used auto tranny in place of the one already in the auto car.

If you are really looking for a stimulating challenge, however, it appears you have all the components you need to do the switch you are asking about. Among your thoughts ought be whether to switch the manual's rear end as well as its transmission into the auto car, so that the newly-manual car's rear end ratio will be correct.

Also, by the way,the ECU's in '88s (whether manual or auto) had problems, which you can research on this board. You have two units to choose from, of course.

--
jds

you can pay someone to do the swap for much less than the quote.

the thing is, the auto is probably just wanting oil, they are very well made. You can get a Mustang T5 done for the full price of the quote.
--
Stef (81 245 B21A SU M46 3.91 330000km, 81 244 BW55 3.31 220000km)