Will a B23F engine bolt right into a 78 240 wagon with the BW 55 tranny? Are the alternator, starter, and heads interchangeable?

Craig

Good question. As I recall, '78 was about the time the spline changed for the tranny input shaft, but I think you might be OK there. Anyway, check that out. The head is similar but the K-jet heads have the injector holes whereas the LH heads do not. I think you can use the B23 block with the K-jet head you have, and a B23/B230 head gasket.

Thanks. What about upgrading to an AT w/OD? Will an AW71 fit either of these engines?

Craig,

I think you should be OK on the engine, as Rhaire has mentioned, you basically want to use the B23 bottom end and the B21 head with B23/230 gasket. Should work fine.

The transmission might give you some headadches though. You can check this thread about my desire to swap the BW55 for AW71: http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=445624

I'm sure that it's doable, but my mechanic saw too many problems with the swap on the '78 to make it feasable... frame rail differences mostly, I think he MUST have measured wrong for some other issues like the drive shaft, and shifter though, but the frame rails definitely narrow earlier on the '78 as opposed to the early/mid '80's turbo's. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to attempt this myself, or I might be able to give you more useful input. I just had him put in a refurbed AW55... Still buzzy as hell on the freway, but it works.

If you attempt the AW71 swap you will need at least:
the drive shaft from the AW71 donor.
the transmission crossmember from the aw71 donor.
the OD wiring harness/relay from the AW71 donor.

Some drilling into the frame and possibly the floor, etc. will be required!

--steve

Either the AW70 or 71 (both have OD) should work and did work with the B23. You probably do not need the stronger 71 designed for turbocharged applications. In principle anyway, but I am not thinking very hard about actually doing it. Is your present tranny the BW 55 or ?

Yes. I have the BW 55 and hate to have my engine wound out while I am driving at 70mph down the freeway.

Craig