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I'm driving (for the last 4 years) my father's '71 144S with B20B (twin Stomberg) and BW35. The BW35 is solid and last longer than today's transmissions if looked after, because it does not have slip on gear changes. Modern transmissions change smoothly at the cost of not lasting so long. You will also find that it will only be the turbo and super cars that beat you in town. This is because the BW35 has only 3 gears and far less changing is required from pull-away. At least, that is what I'm finding here in New Zealand. Conversion from manual would bean that you have to change the drive shaft as well (different length) and on mine the auto selector is on the steering coloumb. A real problem with the BW35 is top speed. I can do 105km/h on 97 unleaded fuel and could do 110 to 120 on 100 unleaded, but at anything above 100 the revs just gets too high. Fortunately I'm in a country where the speed limit is 100 and most people here drive under the limit.
I prefer the older dash by far, as the newer one is so similar to the 240 which was made until early 1990. The older dash is just more classic. The older one is also more solid.
My father had the '71 bumpers swapped for the later style. He also changed the keyless fuel filler cap to a chrome one with lock. Also the latches of the small front vent windows were changed to ones where you must have the large window down to open the latch. This was for security, as the original ones were easy to open from outside. All upgrade were done with Volvo parts. The bumpers had a dull coloured coating which you were not supposed to clean off, as it prevents rusting.
If you own a Volvo you do not check the fuel milage. It will just upset you.
I'll check tonight, but as far as I know my British service manual state there was also a mechanical K-Jetronix option. It will be great if you can find one. The trouble with D-Jetronix is that it is only correct the day you tune it. It's an open loop system that does not get feedback about what it is doing. It's a bad system. K-Jet is very reliable. I'm happy with my Strombergs, and the advantage for the duel set-up is that you do not have to ballance Strombergs. SUs have to be ballanced. As an electronic engineer I'm planning on converting to MegaSquirt, a DIY electronics project on the internet, and I already have an inlet manifold. Now to get some time...
It is easy to add cheap aftermarket central locking to the front doors. The rear doors need a different type, and I think ones from a 240 might work. Very easy upgrade.
Have fun...
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