Small Block Chevy in a 240

[2manyturbos]

Originally Posted by 283SD

YES The picture was taken at the Rhinebeck Show, I did not take the vidieo, but yes that is my car

Cool car. It’s interesting that we built our cars the same year.

[2manyturbos]

Originally Posted by 740atl

Looks like their facebook page says they're still open. https://www.facebook.com/JTRstealth/ It's a lot easier to drop in a ready-made mount than making the careful and pita measurements with a several hundred pound engine flopping around in the bay inches from your fingers.

I agree with you. I’m not saying that book won’t help. The cradle can be fabricated ahead of time and its final location determined once the engine is in the engine bay. I have never even seen the JTR book for any of the makes of cars. I did my conversion before those books were even published.

[Toybox]

Originally Posted by Volvo240Powerglide

are there any model years that stand out to you guys? I know they changed headlights and grills over time,

Any of them will work. The earlier ones are becoming very hard to find. The very latest couple of years are prized for slightly lower wind noise (better weatherstripping and flush mount glass) and tend to attract a bit more $. For whatever reason, wagons are often valued higher than 4-doors, and manual is more sought-after than automatic.

Putting all that info together, for your purposes I'd guess the sweet spot will point toward something like a 4-dr automatic from 86-90. That's a very robust platform and still virtually dirt cheap. Might even be free if you're in the right place at the right time.

[OldCarNewTricks]

If you plan to daily drive the car, you might look into a 700r4 to replace the 2 speed. Your wallet will thank you in the long run, I expect.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by OldCarNewTricks

If you plan to daily drive the car, you might look into a 700r4 to replace the 2 speed. Your wallet will thank you in the long run, I expect.

Amen... 2 gears is not fun as a DD. I run a 700r4 and love it.. I'm old school SBC too, well kinda, I got a roller cam and FI

[283SD]

A 700r4 is OK but will not fit easy in a 240. The powerglide was no problem fitting it into my car, besides they are still using it in drag/race cars today, yes there advantages to both transmissions. At WOT my wagon shifts out of low @ 74MPH, most cars will have to shift into 3rd gear by then making two shifts. Unless your are good with shifting you can't beat a PG. My car has enough power to pull drive from 25-30MPH, If I have to it, will kick down into low at 45-50MPH, just make sure the steering wheel is aimed straight.When the transmission was first put in the car 33years ago it would break the tires loose at WOT doing into drive, I try not to do that to much any more. BTW the trans mount for the PG was right above the stock cross member, all that I did was make a mount for it welded to the stock cross member.You can say what you want, but I've enjoyed my car for 33 years now.

[OldCarNewTricks]

Originally Posted by 283SD

A 700r4 is OK but will not fit easy in a 240. The powerglide was no problem fitting it into my car, besides they are still using it in drag/race cars today, yes there advantages to both transmissions. At WOT my wagon shifts out of low @ 74MPH, most cars will have to shift into 3rd gear by then making two shifts. Unless your are good with shifting you can't beat a PG. My car has enough power to pull drive from 25-30MPH, If I have to it, will kick down into low at 45-50MPH, just make sure the steering wheel is aimed straight.When the transmission was first put in the car 33years ago it would break the tires loose at WOT doing into drive, I try not to do that to much any more. BTW the trans mount for the PG was right above the stock cross member, all that I did was make a mount for it welded to the stock cross member.You can say what you want, but I've enjoyed my car for 33 years now.

There's no problem with using a power glide. I'm just speaking from a gas mileage point of view. That's exactly what the 700r4 was developed for. Just thinking that the OP might enjoy the extra MPGs.

[Volvo240Powerglide]

So far Ive gathered that to swap a motor from a volvo 245 with my 283 sbc and powerglide I need:

-Motor mounts sourced from jags that run
-Aftermarket radiator
-mount for the transmission
-Either ram horn exhaust manifolds or hugger headers to clear the wheel wells in the engine bay

That is what I have gathered so far. From what I understand I can keep the original gas tank but will need an aftermarket fuel pump/fuel lines.
The 240 came with a Dana 30 but there's no posi traction so to achieve the two wheel peel I would need to weld the differential.
Front end suspension needs beefed up. It looks like the original sway bar on a standard 4 pot 240 would interfere with the oil pan but from what I have read I can source one from a 264 that is lower, stronger, and out of the way of the oil pan?
And finally the 240 has full disc brakes(correct?) so with a standard 283 they should have no trouble under standard driving.

[2manyturbos]

You don’t need a drop front bar. That is an issue with a Ford swap, not with the SBC which is rear sump. Don’t weld the diff. Install a clutch posi or a G80 locker out of a 7-9 series.

[Volvo240Powerglide]

7-9 series?

[Volvo240Powerglide]

also thoughts on driveshaft? strength wise can I take the original drive shaft and have it matched to the PG at a shop or do I need to get a GM one fitted?

[2manyturbos]

The US market 740/940 was equipped with an Eaton G80 locker. The turbo cars got the G80 starting in 1991. The NA cars were fitted with G80s from 1993-1995. When you actually start working on a 240 these guys can talk you through the G80 install if you decide to go that route. They are cheap if you go pull one at a wrecking yard. About $100 or less. They will handle all your 283/Glide will put out.

[Volvo240Powerglide]

Originally Posted by 2manyturbos

The US market 740/940 was equipped with an Eaton G80 locker. The turbo cars got the G80 starting in 1991. The NA cars were fitted with G80s from 1993-1995. When you actually start working on a 240 these guys can talk you through the G80 install if you decide to go that route. They are cheap if you go pull one at a wrecking yard. About $100 or less. They will handle all your 283/Glide will put out.

Awesome good to know! I live in the PNW any suggestions on locating a 245? Im checking craigslist and struggling to find one under $1000 in the Washington/Oregon area. I know there have to be cheaper options. I dont even need one with a functional engine/ trans because it would just come out anyway.

[2manyturbos]

Just keep watching craigslist and Facebook marketplace. I see non-runners going for $300-$500 on both of those platforms.

[283SD]

Originally Posted by Volvo240Powerglide

also thoughts on driveshaft? strength wise can I take the original drive shaft and have it matched to the PG at a shop or do I need to get a GM one fitted?

The late drive shafts had the biggest U joints Same as most GM cars, at that time i didn't know that. The drive shaft in my car came out of a '62 Caddy[2 piece], had to cut it down some. 325k miles later I've only replaced 1 U joint.

[Harlard]

Somebody may have missed the memo that we aren't in 1983 anymore.

[OldCarNewTricks]

Originally Posted by Harlard

Somebody may have missed the memo that we aren't in 1983 anymore.

Archaeology project.

[JohnMc]

1957 Rochester Ramjet fuel injection:


If you think K-Jets isn't quirky enough.

[OldCarNewTricks]

How about something like this: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/c...280958108.html

[Volvo240Powerglide]

Originally Posted by OldCarNewTricks

How about something like this: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/c...280958108.html

I've been looking around the last couple days and although that one in Edmonds is tempting it is a very far drive for a car with a "broken fuel pump" I'd hate to get out there to find that there are many other issues.
However in my small town I have found a black 264 that I learned has been sitting for years. The mechanic I go to for work on my 95 tacoma is familiar with 200 series volvos (he has a 242). he says he did work on that 264 about 7 years ago and saw it running for about a year till it was parked for the next 6. Im considering making the owner an offer if I can get a good look at the thing.
There is also a guy in town named Pete who I just met yesterday at a yardsale. My new friend Pete has a 1989 245 automatic in excellent condition with zero dents or dings with 281k miles on the original redblock B230F. Pete mentioned he was looking for a new car for his wife and he was just looking to get some more miles out of it in the meantime. (He also mentioned I was welcome to help him with repairs he will be working on this spring which is very cool).
Here's where I am at with these two cars:
Depending on the frame/body/interior quality of the 264 that could be a perfect candidate for a v8 swap as it already has the stronger front end that would have an easier time accommodating a larger engine.
As far as Pete's 89 245 I would consider buying that at a fair price but I dont quite know what that would be. I can see that the redblock is more desirable and he has taken excellent care of it so would it be profitable to sell the original engine/trans out of there and put that money towards the v8 swap? Is it possible to make money selling that redblock or is it just not worth that kind of effort at 280k miles?

[R-Pow3R3d]

Originally Posted by 2manyturbos

The US market 740/940 was equipped with an Eaton G80 locker. The turbo cars got the G80 starting in 1991. The NA cars were fitted with G80s from 1993-1995. When you actually start working on a 240 these guys can talk you through the G80 install if you decide to go that route. They are cheap if you go pull one at a wrecking yard. About $100 or less. They will handle all your 283/Glide will put out.

I've been meaning to dig into this, but never spent the time. Does that mean a 1990 Turbo 740 would NOT have the locking rear diff?

[2manyturbos]

Originally Posted by R-Pow3R3d

I've been meaning to dig into this, but never spent the time. Does that mean a 1990 Turbo 740 would NOT have the locking rear diff?

Correct. It might have a dealer installed locker or clutch type positraction unit. It will not have a factory limited slip in it.

[R-Pow3R3d]

Originally Posted by 2manyturbos

Correct. It might have a dealer installed locker or clutch type positraction unit. It will not have a factory limited slip in it.

Bummer. Looks like I might have to consider an upgrade.

[2manyturbos]

Originally Posted by R-Pow3R3d

Bummer. Looks like I might have to consider an upgrade.

Find a complete axle in a wrecking yard and swap it in. If you have a place to work on your car along with a floor jack and stands the entire swap takes less than two hours.

[R-Pow3R3d]

Originally Posted by 2manyturbos

Find a complete axle in a wrecking yard and swap it in. If you have a place to work on your car along with a floor jack and stands the entire swap takes less than two hours.

Guess I've got some searching to do.