Jul 19, 2013

Starting the B20B engine

Finally the body was ready for it's rebuild B20B engine.
Before the engine was placed back in the engine bay I attached the gearbox.
It's a bit more fiddly to replace the engine this way but it's harder to fit the gearbox with the engine already in the bay.

Volvo B20B engine ready for the transplant
Volvo B20B engine ready for the transplant

Gearbox attached to Volvo B20B engine
Gearbox attached to Volvo B20B engine

Volvo B20B engine with M40G gearbox
Volvo B20B engine with M40G gearbox

It took Myk and me around 2 hours to put the B20B back in the engine bay. It was a bit hard to tilt the engine without a balancer but with the help of 2 jacks under the gearbox and end of the engine it finally sank in the front mounting holes. 

Replacing the Volvo B20B engine with the engine crane
Replacing the B20 engine with the engine crane

Fitting the engine
Now I had to put back all the loose parts; carbies, brake booster, clutch cable, distributor, radiator, hoses, cables.... I had some trouble with the wiring but with some online help I managed to connect each cable to the correct part. Butttt.. of course there was short somewhere.. hmm but where?? After spending a couple of hours cleaning connections and testing cables one by one it seemed the problem was somewhere in the interior lighting. The first one was the roof light with the cables connected the wrong way. Second short was harder to find but when I checked the shelf light I discovered the insulation inside was broken and thus the + lead sometimes made contact with the earth... and because it was "sometimes" it was so hard to find. 

Wiring under dash Volvo Amazon
Wiring under dash

Short in shelf light Volvo Amazon
Short in shelf light

Fitting the Simons Sport exhaust was also a challenge without a hoist but with a couple of jacks, beers and some @#$%^^*@ it was mounted. Turning the bend pipe over the rear axle is the trick to make the exhaust fit with enough play between body and exhaust.

Simons Sport exhaust Volvo Amazon
Simons Sport 025-K exhaust


Fitting the Simons K-25 Sport Exhaust
Fitting the Simons 025-K Sport Exhaust

Turning the bend exhaust pipe of the Simons sport exhaust
Turning the bend exhaust pipe of the Simons sport exhaust

Simons Sport exhaust with chrome tip Volvo Amazon
Simons Sport exhaust with chrome tip

I filled the cooling system with 8.6 L coolant, the gearbox with 0.75 L special gearbox oil and the engine with 3.75 L special Running In oil. Never use normal oil after rebuilding an engine, it will prevent the engine from running in properly because it's to "smooth". If used for running in on road, the suggested running in period for Running In Oil is approximately 500 Kilometers after which both the oil and filter should be changed.

Ready for the big moment - Volvo 122S B20B engine
Ready for the big moment

Before starting the engine for the first time I took the spark plugs out, disconnected the fuel hose and started the engine until the fuel was pumped from the fuel tank to the front.

The big moment.... it took around 10 secs to start the engine Yessss, it was running for the first time after more than 14 years!





Time for some tuning....




3 comments:

  1. Where can I acquire the Simons 025-K Exhaust system in the USA?
    I have been looking all over for this system without any luck. My Amazon is a 1968 122S / 2-dr., with a B20, 2-SU Carbureted, Double Outlet Exhaust. The exhaust is the only item holding me up from driving my car.
    Can you please help me? Here's my phone number: 253-258-9332.

    Thank You So Very Much - Jeff

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jeff, I don't think you can buy 'm in the USA. I bought mine at http://www.slubo.nl/htmlpages/start-english.html Just send them an email with your car details and ask for a quote. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. http://volvoonderdelen.com/Amazon-121/Exhaust/Exhaust-Amazon-sedan-2-inch-rally-system-1967-SIMONS-complete-F-600033/

    cost about $300 shipped to usa chicago

    ReplyDelete