240 wagon tranny change ? viable?

Discussion in 'Volvo 240' started by JP, Feb 14, 2004.

  1. JP

    JP Guest

    I'm looking for a 1991~1993 240 wagon with a 5 spd and it would appear
    that the vast majority are with auto trans.

    How difficult would it be to convert one from auto to 5 spd?

    I would need to add a clutch pedal but are the tranny mountings the
    same? floor cut-out appears to be the same location too. How about the
    engine electronics? Any differences?

    Estimates as to the time needed to do?

    Any thoughts, comments and ideas are welcome.

    TIA

    Anyone in the NorCal area have a such a wagon with low miles to sell ?
     
    JP, Feb 14, 2004
    #1
  2. JP

    James Sweet Guest


    I've done a few of these conversions and just picked up the parts yesterday
    to do another. Here's what you need, most all of these parts can come from
    anything '79-'93, but if you want the true 5 speed M47 you'll need to find
    an '87 or later:

    Transmission

    Driveshaft

    Pedal bracket (has clutch and brake pedals)

    Flywheel

    Pilot bearing and clip

    Clutch cable

    Clutch kit

    Shifter/shift boot assembly

    Overdrive wiring (M-46 only)

    I recommend buying a new clutch kit, cable and pilot bearing, the rest can
    come from a junkyard. New pedal pads is a nice touch as well. You may have
    to drill a hole for the clutch cable, some cars have it already with a
    rubber plug, others don't. Otherwise the job is pretty much remove the
    automatic and related hardware and install the manual. I've paid anywhere
    from $125-$300 for all the nessesary parts, but that depends on location.

    If you get stuck feel free to email me, first one I did took 3 or 4 days,
    the last one was almost finished in a day, these cars are really wonderfully
    simple to work on.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 14, 2004
    #2
  3. JP

    Steve Rogers Guest

    One thing you might have forgotten about is that there are differences
    in the rear end ratios between the automatics and the manuals. Unless
    you are prepared to use a compromised rear end ratio in the manual
    conversion, you might want to consider the rear end in the list of parts
    to obtain from the manual transmission donor car.
     
    Steve Rogers, Feb 15, 2004
    #3
  4. JP

    James Sweet Guest


    The rear end used in the automatic cars is the same as was used in the
    manual equipped turbos, the gearing is a bit shorter but this doesn't cause
    a problem, you get a bit more torque at the expense of slightly higher RPM
    on the highway. When I did the conversion on my mom's '86 wagon the fuel
    economy improved noticeably and she hasn't complained about the extra few
    hundred RPM's on the freeway.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 15, 2004
    #4
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