If the 140 is a late one with a disc braked rear axle it can use any 200/700/900 wheel up to the very last of the 900 series, S90/V90, which used FWD offset type wheels.

Just to let derek uk know---every 140 from the first has 4 wheel disc brakes---at least in the USA. - Dave

Thanks. I'm pleased to be corrected. I'm an Amazon man and know the bolt patterns are different. Makes the late 1800, 140, 200, 700 and 900 except for the late FWD types all interchangeable. A lot of 240 wheels look very good on the ES. For me the Virgo wheel is a good match.

RWD bolt patterns may be the same (and may be semi-backwards compatible for mounting), but wheel diameters, offsets, rim widths, centre hub clearances and fender clearances did vary. Amazon 120/130s were all a narrow 15" (std 560?-15, oversize 600?-15, same as VW Beetle). I'm fairly sure the 540/440s used the same 15" wheels (my 122S snow tire rims were off a 544). 140/240 steel rims were all 14", while GT/GLT alloys were mostly?/always? 15". 700/900s steels and alloys were all 15". I'm fairly sure 140/240 14" wheels don't have the clearance to fit over the larger 700/900 hubs/calipers, with/without front ABS, and the 240 15" alloys also don't fit on 700/900s. Also, I'm fairly sure the Amazon 15" rims didn't fit 140s/240s (I needed to buy new snows for my 140). Do others know different?
--
Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Offhand I don't know the exact number but I've owned many 140 cars. The offset of the original steel wheels will be something like a half inch -- 1 inch at the most. 43mm is around 1.75" == quite a bit. I tried the link you offered but got a "can't reach this site". - Dave

I don't know the offset without digging one out, but I do know that they add just 10mm to the track of a 140, so I guess they have 5mm less offset.

I have home made 15x7 steel rims which I think have no offset & they still fit inside the gaurds.

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. I knew someone would know.

Ian

They'll fit perfectly fine. I don't think that style of wheel will look very good in 15", but... It's up to you. You may get a little bit of rubbing at full lock on the front swaybar, but nothing consequential. And if your car's lowered, depending on tire size, you may get some minor rubbing up top on the inner fenders when going over big bumps. I doubt you'll run into that problem though.

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase them for a 140, if I wanted them, that is. Go for it! :)

Here's one of Marc's older 145s, with +43mm wheels on it.

"My little hot rod wagon. Here is a list of all the interesting stuff on the car, sway bars, early IPD header, GT instruments, IPD adjustable EFI computer, 164 brakes, Fiberglass hood, altered lower control arms that lowers the car that much more, 7 spoke T5R wheels 7x71/2. The fit on the wheels is very tight but works and I think that look dam cool on there."
--
Kyle - 142, 145, and 244! - Oregon Volvo Tuners?

The standard steel wheels on the 1974 140 are 5"x15"x40mm offset (at least on the Australian-delivered cars, anyway !)

Hagar,what does that measure out
to in backspace,in inches?
Ken
--
White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End

What do you call "backspace" ? Describe what you want, & I'll measure one for you !

I just read the figures stamped on the wheel ... :o)

From the hub mounting surface to a stick placed across the inside of the rim.
70-145/15x4.5 measured 4&1/8" [wheel#677103]
71-72/145, 15x 5 measured 4&1/2" [wheel#68400]
No offset numbers on these.
Running some 15X6- 10 spoke 700 GL wheels that measure 4&5/8"
There is a bit of room for winter chain clearance on the older cars.
Ken
--
White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End

OK ....

The steel wheels I have (from an Australian delivered 142, 1974 model) are stamped 684000 / Volvo Import / 5x15x40

The "backspace" on these wheels is 118-119mm from mounting face to edge of rim.

For road use on my '74 144, I run the 10 spoke "Sirius" rims (off a 740) which are 6x15x25, using 205/65 tyres - I also have some "tracking" problems, and need to get a little more toe-in on the front, I think.

For rally use, I run 242GT "Virgo" rims (6x15x20) with 195/65 Silverstone rally tyres.

Have had no rubbling troubles with any of the 6" alloy rims.

I also have a couple of steel rims off a late-model 164 in back of the shed (somewhere!) that are 5.5x15 with (I think) 20 or 25mm offset ... can't get at them to measure the backspacing though !

Hope this helps ....

The 164 wheels you have would be from a '75 model then, and have the same offset as 240s, +20. :)
--
Kyle - 142, 145, and 244! - Oregon Volvo Tuners?

43 mm = 1.7 inches. Maybe with long lugbolts and a 1" spacer?
If you could pick them up you'd save $100, bringing it into the realm
of reason.....
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Out of curiousity, what is the offset for a 240? Is it the same as a 140?
I bought some wheels off of ebay supposedly for a 140 but they may be for a 240, on the wheel is cast E20, (actually 7Jx15H2 E20)...is that a 20mm offset?

Also what are recommended alignment specs for a 140 with said wheels and lowered springs? I am still getting a wandering effect on any roads with iregularities such as split pavement. grooves or ruts where heavy truck traffic has worn the road.
My priorities are ease of steering, handling, tire wear pretty much in that order.
Thank you all and hope ya' had a nice Thanksgiving.
CU

Offset for 240 Series is +20mm, as per the IPD 'Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide'

If you have the early fenders you're going to have some rubbing issues up front... Mild, and probably fixable, but issues none the less.
--
Kyle - 142, 145, and 244! - Oregon Volvo Tuners?

CARDOG:
Yes the third number is offset.
No not the same offset 140-240
I have been trying to figure this one out.
240 offset is 20
740 offset is 25
140 is old school and backspace was the measure.
However we have had a report from Australia of a late 140 wheel
with a marked offset of 44.
Re:240 measurements,
I am getting a measurement of 4&1/8" on 14 X 5.5-240 steel wheels
And 4&1/4" on 15 X 6 Virgo's probably because the alloy rim is a little thicker.
So the 'extra' rim width is added to the outboard side.
Re:140 measurements
Oval Slotted 15 X4.5 wheels measure 4 & 1/8" ⏒- 145]
Square Slotted 15 X 5 wheels measure 4 & 9/16" ⏓/72- 145]
'Extra' rim width added inboard. But VERY close to 700 measure of 4 & 1/2"
Back to task;
Originally these cars were designed for 165-15 tires with very little toe in.
However wider tires may require more toe in to track properly.
I had 60 series tires on for a while and they seemed to deflect on
split pavement/roadwork and did not 'step' thru pot-holes well.
Settled on 195-65-15.
I think you won big time on 'handling' but lost some ground on 'ease' and 'wear'.
I would recommend an alignment shop that does lowered cars,
and has a Hunter Alignment machine.
PS. Got Big Swaybars?
Happy Holidays from San Francisco California
Ken
--
White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End

Hi, thank you for the response.
Yes, I have ipd sway bars on, along with poly bushes, and Bilstiens, ...and 50 series tires, ( I want to go to 60's and ones less prone to tramelining (sp?).
The wheels I have are Fondmetal, I believe an Italian brand and were probably expensive when new. They are pretty much BBS look-alikes. They look great, though I like the look of the minitlies and superlites better. I believe my wheels are 7" wide.

I have no fender clearance issues and there is enough room to fit 60 series w/o a problem.

Any suggested alignment specs or is finding a shop to set it up the best bet.
...and yeah, on a smooth road the car handles great, but once the road becomes wavy the car is wandering all over the lane.
Thank you,
CU

My car's like that as well... And I picked up a set of the Fondmetal wheels as well, and can't wait to have them straightened and put on my car! Someday anyway... They should indeed be 7" wide.

Regarding alignment:
http://vclassics.com/archive/align.htm

Personally I went with 1 degree neg. camber and 1 degree of caster. I can't remember how much toe I ran, but it may not have been enough. I'd run probably a 1/16" toe in if I did it again, which MIGHT actually be what I'm running. And I have 205/60 TOURING tires even, on 15x6 +25 tires. So I imagine yours being even worse. I think the main thing causing the car to tramline so much is the lower offset of our wheels... The ones you have should be +20 if they're the exact ones that I have. I'm not sure if they offered different offsets of these wheels. Before you, I haven't actually heard of them elsewhere, and couldn't find a picture online. Supposedly IPD used to sell them? Do you know where you picked yours up?
--
Kyle - 142, 145, and 244! - Oregon Volvo Tuners?

Hi Kyle,
I got my wheels off ebay, $100.00 for the 4 of them. I am running 1/16" toe in, I am not sure of the camber/caster.
I am running Bridgestone S0-3 potenzas, they handle great but I feel 50's are too low a profile, and I think they tramline a lot. I can't afford to change tires untill these wear out, then I will probably go 185/60, (to lighten up the sterring effort) in the front and 205/60 in the rear. I know this is probably not the best set up for ultimate handling, but I am hoping to get the best real world handling comprimise, (does that make sense?) for good roads and bad roads along with decent low speed turning effort.
I guess this is what the car companies have to deal with all the time.
CU
ps. what size tires are you running?

Just wondering, but would a SAAB wheel work well on a 140? I THINK they have the same bolt pattern (not 100% sure) and they're a FWD offset - - which might be more appropriate for a 140.

In the same light, would a later model FWD (like an 850) wheel work for the same reason?

CARDOG
I vote with Kyle on tire size.
Smaller fronts will give oversteer.
You are about neutral with the sway bars,very good.
Two sizes smaller fronts on a 140 will steer downright twitchy.
And the front end will tend to 'wash out' when turning hard.
205-60-15/at 24.68 inches is good for street,a little small,
good acceleration and cornering.
195-65-15/at 24.98 inches is a good all around size.
A tiny bit smaller than 165-15/at 25.39 inches,
the size that these chassis were designed around.
Tracking;
Wrap some tape on the links so you can make some
indexing marks and try a little more toe in.
Ken
--
White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End

Very nice tires you have on there! I bet those are great indeed. Good deal you got yourself on the wheels as well, I thought my $75(or was it $50? can't remember) for 2 good ones, one with a very minor flat spot, and then one that's pretty bad and may never be perfect was a decent deal... :) Series depends on width, as well, so it's not all about the series of the tire. What width are you running? 205/50 I assume? 195/50s are pretty little for a 140, but I wouldn't doubt they're a bit of fun.

I'm not sure how much some taller tires are going to help your situation to tell you the truth... Sad as it is, but who knows, maybe it's my camber and caster settings that're causing it? Although I think it's more the actual lower offset that's the main thing. Worth a try though I guess. I'm running 205/60s, and they're not sporty at all, Toyo Tourings. I don't think you should be having much steering effort issues either, and anything less sporty would help a bit anyway. Do check into your balljoints, steering box and tie rod ends by lifting up the front of the car and turning the wheel back and forth. There should be pretty much no resistance if you're inside the car turning the steering wheel back and forth.

I'd stick some 205/55s on all around if I were you. Mixing the skinnier and shorter tires up front with the wider and taller on the back will change how your car handles more than you'd think. There'll be more weight on the smaller front tires, so you'll get a decent bit more understeer in some cases, while a bit more oversteer in other cases. Your inside rear tire will be more likely to spin with the smaller tires up front. I vote keep it the same all around, you'll have better braking distances that way as well as the more balanced handling that you're used to. Once you get up to 205/60s your options for a performance oriented tire go down a lot, but you can still find some decent tires. I might be slightly worried about getting a little rubbing up front though with the lower offset and wide wheels. I can't remember if we already discussed it or not, but I have the earlier, lower fenders and I rub as it is with my stock height car over large bumps. You have another 5mm and half an inch sticking out with your wheels too...

With whatever you decide to get, try to get the same model tires front and rear, even if they're differnt sizes. Mix and matching can have some adverse effects, especially when you're not thinking about the fact that they don't match.
--
Kyle - 142, 145, and 244! - Oregon Volvo Tuners?

Couple of advantages of 205/65x15 tyres are :

- they are almost exactly the same rolling diameter as the standard 165R15, therefore speedo error is minimal

- they are a VERY common size on medium to large current model cars (over here anyway) so tyre options are plentiful & cheap.

I agree that they're a very popular size, but performance options are usually slim in that size as they aren't considered low profile these days. Also, with the wheels we're discussing, I'd think they'd rub without a little bit of fender rolling(plastic hammer/rubber mallet works).
--
Kyle - 142, 145, and 244! - Oregon Volvo Tuners?

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving, although we are usually thankful all the time.
We seem to get much more than we deserve. (In fact the Bible says what we
deserve is totally negative but grace makes the difference.)

I am sorry to report, however, that I am not much help on the subject of
alternative wheels. I know of a few that will fit but have only used OEM
wheels on all my Volvos. If the Taurus ever gives out and goes to the great
recycling yard in the sky, I plan to keep its leather multi-adjustable seats
and its neat wheels which I think might fit on a 122, but that is as close as
I have got.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!