Volvo 300 series drivetrain parts

[Rpruen]

I am after a complete 340, or maybe 360 (as long as the 340 1.7 clutch housing can be fitted).

I have this engine, from a Volvo 480, but its a Renault based engine, like the 340. Except the turbo (not visible), and supercharger of course. It should produce 525lb/f torque, and 380bhp.



I was intending to use the 340 drivetrain, in order to fit it to something like the pic below.



Hopefully the rear gearbox, front engine setup will help with weight distribution. With any luck, having an engine speed propshaft, should help, as I don't want to twist the chassis in half. Also the 340 clutch housing should be a near enough bolt on, to the 480 engine.

Any ideas would also be welcome.

Thanks in advance

[V6 Man]

I suppose the main question is will the 360 clutch output shaft bolt directly to the 340 bellhousing? If so then a 360's drivetrain with its torque tube coupled with the Renault bellhousing would be better suited to take the power you hope to make.

[Hell Driver]

Turbo and supercharger Nice!

[Rpruen]

I suppose the main question is will the 360 clutch output shaft bolt directly to the 340 bellhousing? If so then a 360's drivetrain with its torque tube coupled with the Renault bellhousing would be better suited to take the power you hope to make.

I agree the 360 drivetrain setup would be perefferable, having a torque tube to transfer torque back to the engine, is a good idea. That part should be reasonably easy to fabricate, since it doesn't rotate, and need not be balanced, though I would imagine distortion, from welding could be a problem. It would be handy if things would bolt together nicely like that, and I don't need to fabricate parts. I've owned a 340 before, so I know the setup, having changed a propshaft, and engine mount before. I'm not really clear on the difference between it and the 360, other than the 360 having a torque tube.

I guess it would be good to see a 360, and 340 clutch housing side by side. I imagine it would be possible to persuade the parts to be interchangeable, even if it means milling the Renault housing to fit the 360 parts. I had assumed I would need to do some things, like manufacture replacements to the rubber 'flexi bits' at the ends of the propshaft. My thoughts where to cast replacements in situ, using quite hard polyurathane, with bonding agent to really stick to the metal parts.

Thanks for raising these things, ideas are good

[Rpruen]

Turbo and supercharger Nice!

Nice to have, but tricky to make. Though it behaves like a much bigger (than 1.7) engine, with the lack of lag. Though I don't think I'll be making any more.

I hope to find some use for this engine, since so much went into creating it.

[Chris_C]

Rich, I've got a 360 drivetrain off the car and a few "1.7" esq setup's laying about if you want a look.

However, most of it is on the island. One of my part time projects is making a 360 bellhousing mate up to the 1.7 for both my turbo and 16v, clutches arn't a problem. The complete drive train looks to be the same length in each so an adapter plate is looking unlikely between the block and the bellhousing though. That might be easier in a 7 compared to a 340 still, I was hoping to not change engine mounts again but if I need to fit an adapter plate in...

Anyway, the offer to have a view is there, just it's somewhat inconvenient!

[Rpruen]

Thanks Chris

I might have to have a look at some, because google doesn't help much.

It might be road trip time.

The two look to be kind of different. My guess is that the best option would be to make a new back plate, with the 360 bearings, and mounting holes. Then cut the back off the 340 housing and tig weld the new part on. Alignment isn't a problem, so long as the clutch is aligned, just assemble and tack. The only measurement needed is total length of the unit, and that will have some leeway. I'd also consider welding some angle to the 340 housing, unless it is as strong looking as the 360 one.

Sounds reasonable, but I don't know if it will work, without a looksee.

[Chris_C]

If you arn't scared of tigging, I have a broken 340 bellhousing that we can come to an agreement with

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c_cardwell ... 612902749/

That's in Southampton so would be easier too. That crack was due to bad engine mounts putting the entire setup out of line, might be worth a read through my two project threads (though I *think* you gave me advice on the tubby thread on 480CE and it hasn't moved for about 5 years now) but might be something useful in there.

Somewhere about here should be some bellhousing related stuffs http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... &start=345

[Rpruen]

If you arn't scared of tigging, I have a broken 340 bellhousing that we can come to an agreement with

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c_cardwell ... 612902749/

That's in Southampton so would be easier too. That crack was due to bad engine mounts putting the entire setup out of line, might be worth a read through my two project threads (though I *think* you gave me advice on the tubby thread on 480CE and it hasn't moved for about 5 years now) but might be something useful in there.

Somewhere about here should be some bellhousing related stuffs http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... &start=345

Thanks.

What day would swork for you?I have the rest of the week, and next off, so within reason can work around you. I would be very handy to have a look.

Reading your thread, I'm more than a bit concerned about engine mounts. I have a horrible feeling that more of the propshaft failures are related to movement, than, say just extra torque. Though over 500lb/f might be a concern.

For the 480, i had designed a strut-brace, also tied into the firewall, that held two 740 engine mounts, one tied to the top of the head, the other to the gearbox bolts. For the front wheel drive set-up, this completely eliminated torque steer, by directing the twist back into the suspension turrets. The other benefit being the engine moves hardly at all (good if a 5mm clearance is all you have).

Here are some pics (you can see the top of the set-up in the pic above).

The tripod thing, ignore the oil seperator hung on the leg.



Lower rear engine mount, on the 480 this takes all the force. This would be like the rear mounts on the 340?



I hope that gives some ideas at least.