Happy New Year Gals & Guys ~

A new to me 1980 244 with a BW55 transmission (3 speed Automatic).
I'm used to driving a 244 with a AW71 transmission (4 speed with overdrive).

The BW55 goes through its three gears, but it seems to want to go to fourth gear (which it does not have). Is this just the way it is? Is there anything I can adjust to give it more relaxation?
Same feeling as when I'm in the AW71 and the OD button is keeping her in lower gear (3rd).

Stay Warm,
Joseph in Snowy New Mexico.

Hi Folks. Would need trans and converter, also harness for lockout to be wired in. So in addition for the AW70/71 upgrade I would need cross member, driveshaft, trans mount and maybe linkage. How would you do speedo and kick down? The spool seems smaller but a mount for the cable could be reused or fabricated. This mod must have been done many times. Thanks, Paul

As I mentioned--yes to the driveshaft as the front section is shorter. The crossmember and mount are the same. The original (BW55) shift linkage rod can be shortened if the one for the 70/71 is unavailable. Early versions of the 70/71 have a cable driven speedo so you'd need that too. If the 70/71 came from an electric speedo car I think you can transfer the tailshaft housing and mechanical bits from the 55 to operate the '80's speedo. - Dave

The tailshaft housings with the mechanical speedo only fit the AW70 transmissions up to about 91-92 when the tailshaft housings went from a bushing to a bearing. From what I've heard you can't switch the mechanical-speedo-equiped tailshafts onto the transmissions that have a bearing in the tailshaft housing.

Thank-you guys. Now will just have to figure out the kick-down as the spool is larger on the mechanical speedo, aw70 car. Paul

If the new car feels pretty lively and you don't drive in the mountains too much you might consider changing the back axle to one with a higher numerical ratio. Compare the numbers to your other car.
More drastic, change the 55 to a 71.

I know what Derek Uk means but he has it backwards. To lower the rpm at speed you need to go to a LOWER NUMERICAL axle (often referred too as a HIGHER ratio). The 1980 BW55 has a 3.9 rear. You could go to an easily found later 240 auto which would have a 3.73. Later M46 equipped cars have a 3.31 (probably way too long for a 103hp 2.1 litre). Volvo 260 series with BW55 auto have a 3.54. The 3.54 ratio gives you 20mph per 1,000rpm -- probably as "long" a ratio as OK with the B21F.
I think what you need is the more radical solution of installing an AW70 or 71 (essentially a BW55 with the overdrive drum at the front). With the current 3.90 rear the 2.1 motor will keep its spunk in the lower gears and the 30 percent reduction in rpm will soothe your nerves (although the B21 can stand up to high rpm all day) on the highway.
At a minimum you'll need the AW70/71 & torque converter (should always go as a set) and drive shaft (mark it) from the donor car - take the electrics too if you want to keep lock-OUT an option. If you find a '93 AW70L you absolutely have to take the converter for the lock-UP feature to work. - Dave

Whoops! Thanks Dave I did indeed mean to say that. It's a common mistake. Thanks for posting the axle ratios which should help with the problem. At least we agree that the best option is to upgrade the box.

Live with it or change to a different transmission.
You cannot adjust anything to achieve a lower rpm on the highway.