Why was it done this way? Marketing.

Udo mentions creature comforts and I agree. But it seems to me that air conditioning is the sole culprit. Volvo had to know they would sell more cars in this country if AC was an option or, as it eventually came to pass, a standard feature.

The old standard heating unit found in most 140s was placed on the transmission tunnel right inside the firewall. It is easy to remove in it's entirety. You pretty much have to because the fan is ahead of the heater core. But, as 140 guys will attest, it's a snap. For core or motor service, take it out and work on it on the bench.

I think it was for the 1973 model year that Volvo began using the combined heating/air conditioning unit in the 140. That is also when the dash was redesigned and the center console was part of that makeover. This was, of course, continued for the 240 changing slightly in appearance for the early models and then again in '81 with the new dash. But underneath it's the same setup we all love to hate.

Volvo needed to accommodate the evaporator so they put it in the space which had been occupied by the fan and motor in the old unit and, apparently, there was now not enough room for the single fan and motor to be oriented axially front to back. Hence the new motor and dual impellers which, I presume, were for even distribution. As a result the combined unit ended up being about twice the size of the standard unit with the motor in the most inaccessible place it could possibly be located.

To make matters worse they switched from the nice flexible hoses that could be easily disconnected and moved out of the way to the rigid ductwork that has to be removed before you can get on with the next step.

Even the early non AC 240s for the US got the combined unit, sans evaporator. My 242 for example.

But the standard unit continued to be used in the 240 for other markets with it's dial and cable operated vents as opposed to the vacuum system we are forced to live with.


--
'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon