240 General: New member + '82 244 transmission swap advice needed

[EJRB]

Hello, thanks for having me, very new to Volvos so sorry for all the inevitable useless questions.

Proud new owner of a seemingly very straight 1982 244 DL. It's a four speed so I am on the lookout for advice/help/mechanic for a five speed conversion, seems from talking to Classicswede that the m46 is likely the easiest way to go..

Anyone have any thoughts? Im not very good under the hood so I'd need someone to do the work but I'd love to be involved to learn more about the car.. based in London but can travel a bit, spend time in Lincolnshire and Brighton when visiting family.

Otherwise the only 'issues' are that the Idle is a little high, perhaps the carb needs some tweaking, and it's also got some problems with selective central locking and one of the speakers is a bit intermittent, but that might be at the head unit end.. otherwise all good so far.

Anyway, glad to be here!

[mylittletony]

The M46 is easier to find with the speedo drive needed for your instruments. The M47 (pure 5 speed, not 4+OD) was introduced a few months before the cars went to an electronic speedo with signal coming from the rear axle.

You CAN find a cable output M47 but they're much, much rarer then those without.

You could change the rear axle and fit an M47, but it's a lot of hassle if you don't need to. Coming from someone who did that and converted my speedo, I wouldn't do it again!

Make sure you get at least the front section of the prop to suit whatever gearbox you go with, they're all different lengths.

The overdrive can be easily wired in on a standalone circuit, but you must remember to disengage it, treat it like a switch for 5th gear.

[Triple-S]

Hello and welcome to this section of Volvo Forums - you'll be made most welcome here. Your car looks lovely - almost identical to mine except I have round headlights as its 1976.
An elderly friend has a beige one the same, and in immaculate condition too, so I find it very comforting when I see others around. I do minor work on said friends 244 (like tuning the carb) but its currently resting as he has some health issues.
My car is used when I visit rellies near Worthing, and you can see where I'm based, so not too far away from you. Dai at Classicswede is a very good source of parts and info, so don't loose his details!
If you hail from South London there is a decent Volvo garage in North Cheam, near Sutton: apart from conversing I've not used him yet but worth a search on the 'net. All I remember is that his name is Glen!
Sorry not to have been much help, but at least you now know you aint alone!

Paul

[EJRB]

Cheers Both, aligns much with what I have learnt so far.

Dai has been really helpful so far and I may well end up going to see him, though he is absolutely miles way from me! Will try out the guys in Cheam..

Got a long drive to Lincoln on Friday which will tell me just how desperately i need this conversion!

If anyone knows an appropriate box for sale let me know!

Cheers

[Vakito]

Hello, I have an M47 with a speedo cable drive!

Unfortunately it goes extremely stiff when turning it by hand in certain gears so it will need opening up but I'm told it may be something as simple as a slipped ring inside.

Will also need a new gear knob but apart from that it's all there.

Regards
Peter

[EJRB]

Hi, thanks for this! Could you message me your email so I can ask some more questions? I can’t PM yet. Cheers!

[Vakito]

Hi there, unfortunately I can't PM either haha!

my email is vakky4@gmail.com

Regards
Peter

[Nicholas Lewin]

EJRB

Lovely colour your 244 - welcome to the world of 240s

Glenn is Glenn of GB Autos in North Cheam (Worcester Park) on 020 8330 6090 - Volvo independent specialist who likes his 240s. I've been using him for a couple of years and he is good/ reasonable cost

My 240 is 1991 so has an m47 'box. They're fine altho nothing to write home about. As I understand it, the 4-speed boxes with overdrive is a more driveable combination and arguably more appropriate to the age of your car

Whilst I am posting, I'll do a punt for Lakes Volvo (Wyboston/Huntingdon) on 01480 212291 - a Volvo specialist breaker run by Barry & Bernard. Often a good source of all sorts of 240 items. I'm passing there in a month if you need anything - let me know!

Good luck with it all. Nick

[Nicholas Lewin]

Oh! And EJRB, if you buy Peter's M47 'box, IMHO you should change the oil before using the 'box. M47s run on ATF not on conventional gearbox oil. I changed mine and put in Red Line D4 ATF (American product) with an instant improvement in how the 'box functioned - here's a link:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Redline-305...42121465&rt=nc

If you stick with a 4-speeder with or without O/drive, check what oil they use - I believe it's only the M47 that uses ATF...

[Bob Meadows]

If you go for the M47 box it is worth searching for the information regarding an overfill to benefit the potentially starved 5th gear: ~
If the box is out of the car it is a lot easier to do this rather than tilting the vehicle- I can also recommend a slight alteration to the drain & fill plugs, these have Loctite on the threads (Volvo originals & not listed for regular servicing!) they can be a real pain to remove when under the car--moderate heat and a good fitting socket will see them out- remove the fill plug first just in case you have problems.
I also alter the hex on these by welding a nut to the same- future servicing becomes a lot easier or the next owner will love you!
Good Luck
Bob.