1985 240 DL or is it a 1980??

My friend has a 240 DL that he recently put alot of money into. I purchased
most of the parts, for 1985 240 DL with B230F engine (it says right on the
timing cover).

The other night, he was like 'no its a 1980 240 DL' and I don't understand.
His insurance papers say 1980, but I am pretty damn sure that its an 85.

Research on the net indicates that 1980s came with a B21F motor, and this one
has a B230F. I guess it could have been swapped at some point, but I doubt
it.

However, to clear up this argument, could someone direct me to a website with
pictures of the 1980 and 1985 240 DLs respectively? I'm sure the body
styling/headlamps would have to be a little different between those model
years....

Thanks!
Terry in Winnipeg.
I sell mosquitos by the kilo.... want some?

 

Easiest way is to read the manufacturer's plate, and failing that copy
the VIN and hit the websites.
Actually decided to find one for a quick reference:
http://www.autohausaz.com/volvo-auto-parts/volvo-vehicle-identification-numbers.html

If you get two VIN's off of the one car, you've either mis-read it or
your car was .....

 

The '80 will have four round headlights, '85 will have four rectangular
lights but those could have been converted by someone. On the interior the
hazard light switch on an '80 will be fully transparent red plastic, on '85
it'll be black plastic with a red lense on it. A B21F has a plain aluminum
valve cover and in '80 would have mechanical injection, B230F has a black
painted valve cover and EFI. The engine could have been swapped or the
timing belt cover with the sticker may have been replaced, many parts are
interchangeable, some are not.

 

or you can chk the vin number this way. you find it under the hood or in
the right front door:

its the letter under no. 10 All Volvo modells ( my 240 has the letter
under no. 9 but its not hard to understand were too look)

Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Y V 1 A X 8 4 5 6 C 3 3 7 5 0 6 7
Year
A 1980
B 1981
C 1982
D 1983
E 1984
F 1985
G 1986
H 1987
J 1988
K 1989
L 1990
M 1991
N 1992
P 1993
R 1994
S 1995
T 1996