Mechanic reports head from my 92 940 is ‘rotted out’ where the head gasket blew. I have a good head from my ‘95 940 that I hope to use as a replacement. According to the VIN’s of both cars, the ‘92 engine is a B230f (LH 2.4) and the ‘95 is a B230D. Are the heads interchangeable? As an aside both cars are no turbo and the ‘92 is a Rex/Regina and the ‘95 was Bosch. Grateful for any insight.
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oceanre 91 240 wagon 292k

why can it be milled ??

what does ROTTED out mean?

Dear Blindboy,

Hope you're well and stay so. "Rotted-out" likely means "badly corroded". When coolant breaks-down from old age - i.e., when corrosion-inhibitors are exhausted - the iron in the block reacts with the aluminum of which the head is made. The aluminum corrodes (oxidizes).

If neglected for long enough, the aluminum surface becomes deeply pitted and so no longer can seal tightly against the head gasket. A badly-corroded head usually must be replaced.

It might be possible - depending on the location of the damage - to deposit fresh aluminum by welding and then machining the repaired area, until it is perfectly smooth. This will not be a "cheap date".

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

While I'm not familiar with the B230D (is that carbureted?) I'd say this - if the B230D head has all the same spots to mount sensors and brackets it should be usable (even if the internal porting is slightly different) but you will need to use the B230F camshaft. That will entail measuring and adjusting valve clearance (measured without the "hushers" installed). That has to be less expensive than having to buy another head. - Dave

Thanks Dave.I double checked the vin of the 95 and the engine is a B230FD (sorry for missing F). Does this B230FD (‘95) have the same camshaft as the B230F ‘92)? I mean does the F in both engine types denote same camshaft? Please forgive my ignorance but that’s why I’m here!
Thanks in advance.
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oceanre 91 240 wagon 292k

Digging out some more info here on brickboard and elsewhere, it seems the D designates an M crankshaft and the FD designate SA head with the installation of a Pulseair emission system Volvo used in late model 940’s. I will take my B230F head to the mechanic tomorrow to see if they are compatible (at least vivpsually) but I wonder if he needs to take the B camshaft out of the B230F head and put in the B230FD head after taking out the M camshaft. Or would that be a needless step? I am wondering if these two heads are identical in every way except the Pulseair, then can the Pulseair tubes be plugged up? Thanks
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oceanre 91 240 wagon 292k

Both heads are compatible with each other, except you need to plug the pulsair port with something (see photos below). Hope your mechanic is crafty. Both uses the M camshaft too. Just choose the one with less wear to put in. Lest not forget to do the swap properly. Grind all valves and replace all stem seals.




(photos not mine but taken from the web)

Good luck,
Amarin.

Thanks for the reply and photo. Indeed both 95 and 92 heads are the same except for the Pulsair system. I took the 2 headed EGR valve thing off the Pulsair pipe and found threaded ends so we just capped them off. Installed the now plugged off Pulsair pipe into the 4 holes on the head and the car started right up and ran fine (no check engines lights, etc). Only problem is the exhaust leaks out of where the 4 Pulsair pipe ends fit into the head. Volvo has a gasket kit for the Pulsair (or auxiliary air) system for only $15 so I bought 2 kits in case I screw up one. I’ll post a finale when the job is completed so in future this thread can be used as a resource for the next poor bugger. Thanks again.
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oceanre 91 240 wagon 292k