Is any one else running a 16 valve red block

244T · Sep 9th, 2015, 22:21

Just a general question...

Is anyone else on here running a B234 engine???

My 740 has one, it's just burnt out an exhaust valve out but had the head rebuilt and so hopefully all should be well, while the head is off I am replacing the rings and big end shells..

So if any one is running one I would be interested to know...

Think there is a fraternity on the continent that like them ???

Thanks to all

rogerthechorister · Sep 9th, 2015, 23:29

They are magic. I have one and one of my Sports will soon (I hope) be a B234F+T. In due course I hope to do a very mild +T on the standard one, decompressing with a Cometic gasket and using an adaptor on the header and a 90+ and a 13C - plus of course intercooler and piping. The funny bit is going to be the turbo oil feed and drain.

244T · Sep 9th, 2015, 23:49

Oh...

I thought they were only ever fitted to the GLT...

With a turbo.... never seen one in the flesh... a couple on the web though..

Strange how the GLT only had steel wheels, cloth seats etc but the posh head...

I notice on the continent they have quite a following....

Are you still running the balancer belt?

Had a quick look on the "how many left" site and there are not many at all, I felt I had to have a go at keeping it going....its such a good tow car too....

Thanks again for your response!!!!!!

rogerthechorister · Sep 10th, 2015, 09:16

Yes, my twin-cam is badged 740GLT but is facelift body so looks like a 940. All twin cams here were N/A. The B204FT or GT turbo twin-cam 2 litre never came to England, mostly Italy.

Balance shaft belt was removed early on. Daughter tried to run her air-cooled so my spare engine had to go in, and I had the balance shaft belt on that removed at that time. Annoying as the original engine was very low mileage.

Synchro on third is not wonderful and the overdrive sticks in when hot until I get rough with it, but most of the rest is nice. Currently after a spare M46 from Minty. I have had the wing-mirrors colour-coded and she is on Galaxies so looks quite smart. Currently in the garage to have the exhaust manifold blow fixed - AGAIN, and wheel-wobble investigated - I suspect merely balance.

Then back to the bodyshop for carpark dent (daughter again) to be removed and I fear the roof has started to peel so that will be a big bill. Also, thanks to daughter, a couple of wheels need to go back to Lepsons again.

Oh, and a Jetex exhaust that sounds very crisp and crackly!

244T · Sep 10th, 2015, 22:21

That makes two of us..

I do like the performance. I have never driven a turbo 740 so can't compare the performance but I am happy with the twin cam, it makes a good tow car.

I don't think you can beat a rwd for towing.

Sounds like you have quite some experience with the b234 engine, I am Finding my way round them, the head is quite good thing, well made, the engineer in Preston that put in the new valves and but the seats compared it to a Cosworth, but think it was actually designed by Porsche?

I can see it needs careful assembly with the cam carrier etc.

I have the head back now, the pistons are cleaned and now installed with new rings and shells.

Rather than the turbo route, is there other tried and tested ways of extracting more horses?

I do like your idea of the Jetex exhaust, that must help.

Thanks again for your response.

rogerthechorister · Sep 11th, 2015, 08:57

Yes the head is Porsche design. I have heard it argued that the inlet manifold is the bottleneck. Very square so the distribution is uneven. I have seen pictures of custom-made manifolds in the USA that have much smoother curved branches, which sounds good in principle although you don't want the inlet tracts too long, and I've also seen pictures of "log" manifolds with a big fat straight chamber and then short tracts - but I'm a bit dubious about those.

Otherwise you could do the usual smoothing and polishing of everything from the airbox inwards, I suppose.

You could try doing the equivalent of the "airbox mod" on turbos but if I remember right the hole in the inner wing is not there so you'd have to cut it, or you could try a cone filter although IMHO there would not be a lot of point as it would be taking in hot air and you want cold air.

If you want to be more radical, some of the Penta cams from the twin-cam boat engines have I think higher lift, and I may be wrong but I think the boat engines came (some of them) as a 2.5 litre although I am not sure whether you need to change more than the crank. You could gain a bit of capacity by boring +60 - I think that the pistons are still available at that size, but check first.

If you can source a spare engine, Guy Croft (in Medway) used to have a prodigious reputation for blueprinting the FIAT twin-cam engines although he was far from cheap.

remonannetti · Nov 20th, 2020, 19:26

I would like advice on replacing the timing belt on my 1990 740 GLT as I am unsure whether or not it is too soon to do this. The last time it was replaced was in August 2011 (some nine years ago). I know it should be replaced every 50,000 miles, however the car has only done about 8,000 miles since August 2011 -is this a case of time elapsed being more important than actual mileage?

Laird Scooby · Nov 20th, 2020, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by remonannetti

I would like advice on replacing the timing belt on my 1990 740 GLT as I am unsure whether or not it is too soon to do this. The last time it was replaced was in August 2011 (some nine years ago). I know it should be replaced every 50,000 miles, however the car has only done about 8,000 miles since August 2011 -is this a case of time elapsed being more important than actual mileage?

In this case, you're about 4 years overdue!

It's 50k miles or 5 years, whichever comes sooner.

The answer is to renew it, i'm not wildly familiar with the 16v version but on the 8v the tension needs resetting after 600 miles after changing the belt.

Check this point out and also you may be wise to fit a new tensioner as with that low use, there is a chance the bearings inside it may have Brinelled.

classicswede · Nov 20th, 2020, 21:11

Well overdue.

It is reccomended to delete the balance shafts and I do suggest you at least consider it. If you are keeping it make sure you fit the new belt for them also

remonannetti · Nov 21st, 2020, 11:53

Many thanks, will get it done ASAP!

Sep 9th, 2015, 22:21	#1
244T VOC Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2020 18:09 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Preston	Is any one else running a 16 valve red block Just a general question... Is anyone else on here running a B234 engine??? My 740 has one, it's just burnt out an exhaust valve out but had the head rebuilt and so hopefully all should be well, while the head is off I am replacing the rings and big end shells.. So if any one is running one I would be interested to know... Think there is a fraternity on the continent that like them ??? Thanks to all __________________ Andrew... 244T '90 740 GLT: Standard car '80 240 DL: Lots of bits and bobs inc turbo intercooler etc etc

Sep 9th, 2015, 23:29	#2
rogerthechorister Rogerthechorister Last Online: Dec 16th, 2023 02:15 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester	Yes They are magic. I have one and one of my Sports will soon (I hope) be a B234F+T. In due course I hope to do a very mild +T on the standard one, decompressing with a Cometic gasket and using an adaptor on the header and a 90+ and a 13C - plus of course intercooler and piping. The funny bit is going to be the turbo oil feed and drain. __________________ B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E. 760T estate, F reg 133k miles. 940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles. 940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy. 960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.

Sep 9th, 2015, 23:49	#3
244T VOC Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2020 18:09 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Preston	Oh... I thought they were only ever fitted to the GLT... With a turbo.... never seen one in the flesh... a couple on the web though.. Strange how the GLT only had steel wheels, cloth seats etc but the posh head... I notice on the continent they have quite a following.... Are you still running the balancer belt? Had a quick look on the "how many left" site and there are not many at all, I felt I had to have a go at keeping it going....its such a good tow car too.... Thanks again for your response!!!!!! __________________ Andrew... 244T '90 740 GLT: Standard car '80 240 DL: Lots of bits and bobs inc turbo intercooler etc etc

Sep 10th, 2015, 09:16	#4
rogerthechorister Rogerthechorister Last Online: Dec 16th, 2023 02:15 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester	Glt Yes, my twin-cam is badged 740GLT but is facelift body so looks like a 940. All twin cams here were N/A. The B204FT or GT turbo twin-cam 2 litre never came to England, mostly Italy. Balance shaft belt was removed early on. Daughter tried to run her air-cooled so my spare engine had to go in, and I had the balance shaft belt on that removed at that time. Annoying as the original engine was very low mileage. Synchro on third is not wonderful and the overdrive sticks in when hot until I get rough with it, but most of the rest is nice. Currently after a spare M46 from Minty. I have had the wing-mirrors colour-coded and she is on Galaxies so looks quite smart. Currently in the garage to have the exhaust manifold blow fixed - AGAIN, and wheel-wobble investigated - I suspect merely balance. Then back to the bodyshop for carpark dent (daughter again) to be removed and I fear the roof has started to peel so that will be a big bill. Also, thanks to daughter, a couple of wheels need to go back to Lepsons again. Oh, and a Jetex exhaust that sounds very crisp and crackly! __________________ B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E. 760T estate, F reg 133k miles. 940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles. 940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy. 960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.

Sep 10th, 2015, 22:21	#5
244T VOC Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2020 18:09 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Preston	That makes two of us.. I do like the performance. I have never driven a turbo 740 so can't compare the performance but I am happy with the twin cam, it makes a good tow car. I don't think you can beat a rwd for towing. Sounds like you have quite some experience with the b234 engine, I am Finding my way round them, the head is quite good thing, well made, the engineer in Preston that put in the new valves and but the seats compared it to a Cosworth, but think it was actually designed by Porsche? I can see it needs careful assembly with the cam carrier etc. I have the head back now, the pistons are cleaned and now installed with new rings and shells. Rather than the turbo route, is there other tried and tested ways of extracting more horses? I do like your idea of the Jetex exhaust, that must help. Thanks again for your response. __________________ Andrew... 244T '90 740 GLT: Standard car '80 240 DL: Lots of bits and bobs inc turbo intercooler etc etc

Sep 11th, 2015, 08:57	#6
rogerthechorister Rogerthechorister Last Online: Dec 16th, 2023 02:15 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester	Yes Yes the head is Porsche design. I have heard it argued that the inlet manifold is the bottleneck. Very square so the distribution is uneven. I have seen pictures of custom-made manifolds in the USA that have much smoother curved branches, which sounds good in principle although you don't want the inlet tracts too long, and I've also seen pictures of "log" manifolds with a big fat straight chamber and then short tracts - but I'm a bit dubious about those. Otherwise you could do the usual smoothing and polishing of everything from the airbox inwards, I suppose. You could try doing the equivalent of the "airbox mod" on turbos but if I remember right the hole in the inner wing is not there so you'd have to cut it, or you could try a cone filter although IMHO there would not be a lot of point as it would be taking in hot air and you want cold air. If you want to be more radical, some of the Penta cams from the twin-cam boat engines have I think higher lift, and I may be wrong but I think the boat engines came (some of them) as a 2.5 litre although I am not sure whether you need to change more than the crank. You could gain a bit of capacity by boring +60 - I think that the pistons are still available at that size, but check first. If you can source a spare engine, Guy Croft (in Medway) used to have a prodigious reputation for blueprinting the FIAT twin-cam engines although he was far from cheap. __________________ B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E. 760T estate, F reg 133k miles. 940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles. 940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy. 960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.

Nov 20th, 2020, 19:26	#7
remonannetti remonannetti Last Online: Nov 24th, 2021 16:08 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Glasgow	Timing belt change on B234 I would like advice on replacing the timing belt on my 1990 740 GLT as I am unsure whether or not it is too soon to do this. The last time it was replaced was in August 2011 (some nine years ago). I know it should be replaced every 50,000 miles, however the car has only done about 8,000 miles since August 2011 -is this a case of time elapsed being more important than actual mileage?

Nov 20th, 2020, 21:11	#9
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Today 00:25 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	Well overdue. It is reccomended to delete the balance shafts and I do suggest you at least consider it. If you are keeping it make sure you fit the new belt for them also __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Nov 21st, 2020, 11:53	#10
remonannetti remonannetti Last Online: Nov 24th, 2021 16:08 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Glasgow	Timing belt change on B234 Many thanks, will get it done ASAP!

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