I've got a low milage, only 116000km from new, 244GLE, but I need it to be a bit stronger for towing, it only has the 2lt motor.
Should I put the 2.4 in, and what is involved, or should I go for something like a toyota diesel, which would give great economy.
I plan on passing this car onto my grandkids, and they don't exist yet so I'm keeping it for a long time!
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1980 244GLE

Quite a few people use their 240s for towing. Being RWD they have a lot of capacity even with a 2.1 l engine (I think it's about 3000 lbs).
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans in Brampton, Ont.

Buy a truck..
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Max..1989 244 DL 5 Spd., V15 Phase II Cam Bilstein HD, Turbo Swaybars, Poly Bushings all round, Turbo Wheels, Black leather interior, Electric mirrors, LED dash and gauge lights and now NEW ECODES with the turn signals, 1992 black 244 next project

Assuming you have a B21F...fuel injected 2.1L engine. with ONLY 116K

You want to pass this on to your grandkids....good idea....Towing...Bad Idea

You have a 27 year old Volvo that you want to last 2 more generations, which with care it very well could. If well cared for the engine could go 300K without any major overhaul. EXCEPT IF.

You want to tow a load...get at TRUCK with a 6cyl engine at least...used for less money that the Volvo you will destroy.

Sell the Volvo and buy a truck.

Why oh why don't they make 240s anymore :(
75 245(RIP), 80 244 M45 226K, 87 245 M47 172K

I'll assume you are not in the US, and have the B19, 2 liter engine.

You could re-power to the B23, 2.3 liter. That would get you around 114hp, depending on what fuel system your car has. Do you have a carburetor?

If you re-power to a diesel, you car isn't a Volvo anymore.

I would keep the car as-is, since you want to pass it along, and find something else to tow with.