Hi all!

Anyone specialiced in mating old B20s and newer transmissions? Is there any bellhousing that mates B20 (-69) and M47 (with cable speedo, don't know the year). If so which flywheel/clutch should be used?

Cheers

Take note, you got a lot of posts about the 75/76 bellhousing/tranny . This was essentially a beefier set up theen the earlier b18 and b20 engines had but it was had the same physical dimensions. '76-on had the M46 which mated with the b21. The B21 sits on a slant in the car so the bell housing has to be differnt than the b20 bell. Not to mention these blocks are quite different. I'm interested in this too, so if you find anything out, could you post it or e-me? BTW the '75 200 series tranny/o.d. is the easy way to go. It's tougher than the rest and it fits any 120-140 that fits a 4spd with o.d.
--
patrick of montreal, '66/120, '83/245.

Ok, here we go again with the old subject. I learned that in Sweden and in Finland Amazons and 140s with B20+M45/56/47 are not rare. The bellhousings can be found quite easily and you pay 50-150 USD depending the condition. One can also cut the bell (from M45/46/47) in two pieces, turn (was it) 15 degrees and weld the pieces together. The bell is aluminium and something else which makes it a bit tricky to weld..

Hi again! I visited some Swedish sites and got some info (in swedish). Anyway, they say that:

"B18/B20 -> M45, M46, M47 finns - sitter i 242 L -76. Means that in -76 242 L there is a bellhousing for B18/B20->M45/46/47."

"-75 and -76 240s had following combinations: B20/M40, B20/M45, B21/M40 and B21/M47. This was the case at least in Sweden and Finland."

"B20s were used in 242s, 244s and 245s during 1974-76. B20 was NOT the only motor used in these models"

I'm still a bit confused with the M45/46/47. Does these boxes stay the same during the years. I mean is the (lets say) M46 from -76 242 B20 the same than M46 from the year -83??

Check the one reply on this subject on this site about B20/M45. There is one spare bell..

Some 240s 75/76 had B20 and M45,I have used this in my 1973 142 GL.I also have one bellhousing in spare.

Don't know if it will help but in the IPD classifieds someone is offering
a bellhousing for the B20/M45 combination, which they say is rare.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Oklahoma

The bellhousing is obtained from the very rare 75 240s that came with the M45/46. These go for big bucks and Topi Hynynen has one on Swedish Classics for $300. One or two a year appear there.

Note too that not all 75 240's that have manuals indeed have the m46. If you do come up with the bellhousing, the flywheel you have on already is the one that will work. I have a brand new one of these in a box and could look up a number and you "might" find one at GCP or even from Volvo direct. As mentioned, bring your wallet. Topi has some information on mating a toyota transmission to the b20 as well.

Leonard

Yup, as I was afraid of. I remember a fried once told me that it is possible to mate B20 and M45/46/47 without cutting and welding the bellhousings but something like $300 is too heavy to my wallet. I'm from Finland and I visit Sweden every now and then but I think finding a second hand bellhousing that rare even from here would be a hard work. I also have heard some stories about Toyota transmissions "glued" to Volvo engines but I don't know any details.. I guess it's not an "plug-and-play" application ;)

A new light on the situation.... I am told, but don't know for a fact, these bellhousings are plentiful in europe, it is in the States they are so rare. I am told that especially the police cars came with these. Don't give up just yet. The Toyata Supra transmission is supposed to be "plug and play" once you get the correct bellhousing. And these are stronger and have a true 5th instead of the overdrive unit.

Good luck,

Leonard

Thanks Leonard! I finally remembered the friend who told me some years ago about this B20+M45/46/47 setup and I called him. It was his brother who had just picked up a bellhousing and a M45 from a junk yard and replaced his broken M40 (in Volvo 142 with B20). This story should be true. Now I think I just start looking for a right bellhousing. I also need to put in pieces the M47 I have because I don't know the history of it and it has been outside for some years.. I'll let you know.

Extra thing to worry about: clutch type...that bellhousing would be for a cable clutch, not hydraulic.

Per

Yes, that is true! Later produced Amazons like my -69 were made with cable clutch (at least the European model). I don't know the exact year when the change was made. Ofcourse they could have produced both types at the same time for different market areas. From Sweden I got the information that -75 and -76 240s had following combinations: B20/M40, B20/M45, B21/M20 and B21/M47. The B20/M45 bellhousing is the one to be used with combination B20/M46 or B20/M47. One has just to get a M46 or M47 from some other car.