Having bought a used 740 turbo, should I assume that the engine has been replaced somewhere along the line if the chassis id plate contains no sequence of numbers that match the engine id number?

Thanks!

For US try this:

www.carfax.com

David: this is not exactly on-point, but if you go to 'volvoworld.com' you can surf your way thru a fairly easy way to find out info about your car, and other years/models of 700's (and others, like 240's and 850's), including a way to decode your VIN: useful, if not helpful, information.--PD.

Try checking the date code on the head, it should be with in 3 to 4 months prior to the build date of the car. If it's later than the build date or a lot earlier the mill has probably been swapped. Not a difinative answer but may point you in the correct direction.Brian

That is an invalid assumption. In fact on most Volvos the chassis

number and the VIN number are similar but different and the engine

numbers are strictly part numbers, not serial numbers.

David,

What is your VIN? What engine??

Joe:

The stamped number above the engine thermostat is 1326777

The printed number on the timing cover is 1289463

The chassis id plate in the engine compartment reads in this order:

745 L1 301478 7458745

YV1FA8750L1301478 27131 2

EN3GC-5

25 5942

189-21

Any thoughts on the matching of engine to chassis?

Thanks

David,

"...YV1FA - 87 - 50L1301478..."

Your VIN indicates that your car should have the B230FT engine. Does it? (should say on the timing cover; if not, the B230FT is pretty easy to identify, having the turbo and having the distributor located on the back of the cylinder head). The number 87 appearing in your VIN is the engine code, just as my 1981 240 Turbo has a 47 in the VIN, indicating the B21FT. Anyway, the number 87 is the key. No real way to tell if it is the original B230FT, however. I hope this helps...

The 777 head won't do you any good. That one is shared with a LOT of years.

The timing cover is likewise across several years with that part number.

Most of the vehicle ID plate stuff is VIN and paint code, and a couple of other things. I've never been able to find anything regarding engine number on the cars.

The casting dates are often months behind the build date of the car. Don't be alarmed if you find that it's a 92 with an engine marked 91.

Neither the engine part number, nor the engine serial number are reflected in the chassis number. The Volvo New Car Features service manual for each model year contains the engine part number codes for that modle year. For instance the 1992 manual gives part number 1289429 for the USA spec turbo engine. The 1988 manual gives three part numbers, one for the manual trans turbo engine, and one for the sedan with automatic, and one for the wagon with aotomatic. You will need to call a dealer for this info unless someone else has a New Car Features with part number 1289463 shown on a particular modle year.