Ford 2.3L - Volvo 16 valve head conversion

Colin · 03-23-2005, 12:59 AM

This has been my project for a while now.. it's still a ways from being done. Basically... someone somewhere down the line figured out that the Ford OHC 2.3 (as found in Ranger, Mustang, Merkur, Thunderbird, Cougar, etc) and Volvo B234F had a LOT in common. Holding the headgaskets over eachother, the water passages line up, most of the oil ports line up, the cylinders are spaced the same, all the headbolts are in the same locations, etc.

Basically, Ford's SOHC head flows like a soda straw, and the Volvo head flows like the Mississippi... there is much power to be gained by converting to the DOHC head. Not just that, but the aluminum head (as opposed to cast iron) is a giant weight saver, and definitely helps to balance the car a little better. So.. here's what it entails:

Weld a block to the back of the head to cover the water jackets and one additional oil drainback port.

Weld shut the center oil drain hole and reduce in size the outer two.

Block off the coolant bypass hole, but don't use this kind of plug.. use a recessed square type so that it clears the water pump.

The Ford block feeds oil through the small hole near the head bolt. The Volvo head does not have this hole. A hole must be drilled to route oil to the upper level of the head, where the head's oil passages will distribute it out to the lifters. A line can be run externally to the upper head, or the head can be built up with filler rod (as pictured) and drilled internally.

Custom manifolds must be built, standalone management should be used, custom pistons must be ordered (Diamond Pistons has the dimensions on file), and the timing belt/tensioner situation must be adressed.

So far, I'm planning on using a '91 Stealth SOHC belt in conjunction with round tooth pullies from a Ranger, spaced .465 outward from the original location. Without the spacers, the alignment is off:

Ford tensioner bolted to Volvo head. It will need an arc cut into it and another hole drilled/tapped in the head to make it work... I will probably fab up a new bracket that mounts to the existing holes in the head.

I had to drill/tap a hole for the oil return since the block I am using is from a '95 Ranger (N/A).

Crank position ring as used on EDIS block... should prove useful for a standalone.

I'll be running the Diamond pistons, a 2.5L stroker crank, Crower sportsman rods, the Ranger EDIS block, one-piece stainless exhaust valves, a mandrel header, custom plenum intake, lots of boost, etc... it should make some power. Almost all the conversions currently running are making over 400 at the wheels, and the guys who built/drive them still swear by the engine as a daily driver.

More info:
Stackz' conversion
SDSefi-managed 2300-16v
MerkurTech 16v info page

I guess this isn't really useful for most of MNSC... but that's what I've been up to lately.

Colin

POS_NeonTech · 03-23-2005, 07:17 AM

It may be useful for people like me :P

Matt D. · 03-23-2005, 08:01 AM

That's awesome, Colin. I was wondering if you were ever going to get anywhere with that head.

Colin · 03-23-2005, 09:21 AM

Yes, sir. Now all the head modification is done, so it's *mostly* just buying internals, getting it all machined, and assembling everything. My intake manifold is almost done... I'm using the stock Volvo runners cut off right behind the injector bungs, and welding some mandrel bends from a 91-96 Escort manifold to them... the Escort runners fit awesome, and curl up and around the fuel rail perfectly. Gotta weld a bigass plenum to the top of that and attach this 65mm Crown Victoria throttle body I've got.

It *would* be running by this summer, but I'm running a little short on $$... so my goal is spring/summer 2006.

Colin

PSI · 03-23-2005, 10:14 AM

That is absolutly the most insane thing I've ever seen(love it).I guess the first question I would have to ask is,wouldnt it be easier to take the whole volvo motor and put some forged internals in it and stick that in there?

Colin · 03-23-2005, 12:13 PM

No. The 2.3T bottom end was carved from granite by the hands of god.

iamgod · 03-23-2005, 12:58 PM

^^nice!

jeffescortlx · 03-23-2005, 04:08 PM

Now hurry up and get this project done so I can go for a test ride! lol :D

Colin · 03-23-2005, 11:36 PM

Test ride? Come on.. once I've got it done you can drive it all you want. It's the least I can do in return for all the assistance you've given.

Colin

Colin · 04-04-2005, 10:25 PM

Here's the intake manifold I've been working on. It's made of Escort 1.9 SEFI runners (thanks Jeff!) welded onto the flange/truncated runners from the Volvo.. with a really thick 3.5" pipe on top. I didn't weld the pipe on yet. I'm thinkin it should turn out alright.

I'm not quite sure if it will clear the hood... but if it doesn't I guess I'll just have to graft a DSM bump onto it or something. :?

Here's the belt alignment now that I got the lower pullies spaced out.

Colin

npaulseth · 04-05-2005, 10:03 AM

I love it. This is by far the coolest thing I've seen in the past two weeks.

b204dr · 04-05-2005, 10:18 AM

that looks like alot of work- what kind of hp range will it run finished

Colin · 04-05-2005, 09:26 PM

I'd like to see 400 whp, but I'm happy with anything over 300.

Forced-Induction · 04-06-2005, 04:59 AM

That is truly spectacular, and you've done an excellent job with the welding and fabrication. Wickedly Sweet!

jeffescortlx · 04-06-2005, 02:54 PM

Look'n good Colin. I think me and you have the same problem, one day we opened are hood, and have'nt been able to get out of the engine bay and stop making more power.

chad1.5litertoaster · 04-06-2005, 03:05 PM

300hp, are you gonna put a turbo on that thing?

Colin · 04-06-2005, 10:08 PM

Yeah, but I'm not sure *which* turbo yet. I'm considering a Holset HY-35W, but I'm not sure if it will be big enough.. kinda want a full T4. I dunno. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look at some compressor maps, check my bank balance, and cry myself to sleep.

chad1.5litertoaster · 04-06-2005, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

Yeah, but I'm not sure *which* turbo yet. I'm considering a Holset HY-35W, but I'm not sure if it will be big enough.. kinda want a full T4. I dunno. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look at some compressor maps, check my bank balance, and cry myself to sleep.

T3/T4 60 trim. Don't go too big and end up with a turbo you can't spool until 5000rpm..... lol

tonyk · 04-07-2005, 12:02 AM

that thing is insane. Awesome work. Its incredible what people can do with engines

Colin · 04-07-2005, 05:44 AM

The Holset is comparable to a T3/T4 60 trim... except it's cheaper, lasts longer, spools faster, and is more efficient. So it's not really comparable... but it is better suited to the 2.3T, methinks. But you're right... a smaller turbo like that is going to be more appropriate than a bigass T4 or something.

Jon from Utah · 05-02-2005, 01:57 PM

go with the holset.

also I would like to see this sometime.

Colin · 05-02-2005, 10:03 PM

Whoa! An SVO on MNSC! Sweeeeet.

Lemme know when you wanna "see it"... I'll call up the rest of the 2.3T mafia and we'll have a turboford meet.

SFC · 05-03-2005, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon from Utah

go with the holset.

also I would like to see this sometime.

omfg, you aren't from Utah, hax0r!

chad1.5litertoaster · 05-03-2005, 10:55 AM

Now I have another question. Are you sure the right valves are opening at the right times and that you have the correct valve timing? I mean you do have two different brands of engine there. Maybe I missed something though. The head and block are both from 2.3L motors, right? I don't know, I haven't done any homework on these engines.

POS_NeonTech · 05-03-2005, 12:02 PM

Yes, I'm pretty sure the head is from a volvo 2.3l.

03-23-2005, 12:59 AM	#1
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	Merkur XR4Ti - 2300 DOHC build thread This has been my project for a while now.. it's still a ways from being done. Basically... someone somewhere down the line figured out that the Ford OHC 2.3 (as found in Ranger, Mustang, Merkur, Thunderbird, Cougar, etc) and Volvo B234F had a LOT in common. Holding the headgaskets over eachother, the water passages line up, most of the oil ports line up, the cylinders are spaced the same, all the headbolts are in the same locations, etc. Basically, Ford's SOHC head flows like a soda straw, and the Volvo head flows like the Mississippi... there is much power to be gained by converting to the DOHC head. Not just that, but the aluminum head (as opposed to cast iron) is a giant weight saver, and definitely helps to balance the car a little better. So.. here's what it entails: Weld a block to the back of the head to cover the water jackets and one additional oil drainback port. Weld shut the center oil drain hole and reduce in size the outer two. Block off the coolant bypass hole, but don't use this kind of plug.. use a recessed square type so that it clears the water pump. The Ford block feeds oil through the small hole near the head bolt. The Volvo head does not have this hole. A hole must be drilled to route oil to the upper level of the head, where the head's oil passages will distribute it out to the lifters. A line can be run externally to the upper head, or the head can be built up with filler rod (as pictured) and drilled internally. Custom manifolds must be built, standalone management should be used, custom pistons must be ordered (Diamond Pistons has the dimensions on file), and the timing belt/tensioner situation must be adressed. So far, I'm planning on using a '91 Stealth SOHC belt in conjunction with round tooth pullies from a Ranger, spaced .465 outward from the original location. Without the spacers, the alignment is off: Ford tensioner bolted to Volvo head. It will need an arc cut into it and another hole drilled/tapped in the head to make it work... I will probably fab up a new bracket that mounts to the existing holes in the head. I had to drill/tap a hole for the oil return since the block I am using is from a '95 Ranger (N/A). Crank position ring as used on EDIS block... should prove useful for a standalone. I'll be running the Diamond pistons, a 2.5L stroker crank, Crower sportsman rods, the Ranger EDIS block, one-piece stainless exhaust valves, a mandrel header, custom plenum intake, lots of boost, etc... it should make some power. Almost all the conversions currently running are making over 400 at the wheels, and the guys who built/drive them still swear by the engine as a daily driver. More info: Stackz' conversion SDSefi-managed 2300-16v MerkurTech 16v info page I guess this isn't really useful for most of MNSC... but that's what I've been up to lately. Colin __________________ Last edited by Colin; 02-16-2008 at 09:09 PM. Reason: I am teh suck at intarweb.

03-23-2005, 07:17 AM	#2
POS_NeonTech doesn't drive a neon. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Duluth Posts: 14,366 Ride: A4	It may be useful for people like me :P __________________

03-23-2005, 09:21 AM	#4
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	Yes, sir. Now all the head modification is done, so it's mostly just buying internals, getting it all machined, and assembling everything. My intake manifold is almost done... I'm using the stock Volvo runners cut off right behind the injector bungs, and welding some mandrel bends from a 91-96 Escort manifold to them... the Escort runners fit awesome, and curl up and around the fuel rail perfectly. Gotta weld a bigass plenum to the top of that and attach this 65mm Crown Victoria throttle body I've got. It would be running by this summer, but I'm running a little short on $$... so my goal is spring/summer 2006. Colin __________________

03-23-2005, 12:13 PM	#6
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	No. The 2.3T bottom end was carved from granite by the hands of god. __________________

03-23-2005, 12:58 PM	#7
iamgod vengeful and merciless Join Date: May 2003 Location: South Minneapolis Posts: 3,999 Ride: 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 84 Porsche 944 2.5l Na	^^nice! __________________ its true..studies have shown that whining on the internet takes less time than actually taking care of the problem...and taking care of the problem means you don't get anymore sympathy...mommy didn't hug you enough and daddy hit you...you crave the negative attention. or your a drama whore?!

03-23-2005, 10:14 AM	#5
PSI Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Back in MN. Posts: 5,711 Ride: Bangbus!	That is absolutly the most insane thing I've ever seen(love it).I guess the first question I would have to ask is,wouldnt it be easier to take the whole volvo motor and put some forged internals in it and stick that in there?

03-23-2005, 04:08 PM	#8
jeffescortlx Traps at 100mph broken Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Elk River Posts: 769 Ride: 93 Ford Escort	Now hurry up and get this project done so I can go for a test ride! lol :D

03-23-2005, 11:36 PM	#9
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	Test ride? Come on.. once I've got it done you can drive it all you want. It's the least I can do in return for all the assistance you've given. Colin __________________

04-04-2005, 10:25 PM	#10
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	Here's the intake manifold I've been working on. It's made of Escort 1.9 SEFI runners (thanks Jeff!) welded onto the flange/truncated runners from the Volvo.. with a really thick 3.5" pipe on top. I didn't weld the pipe on yet. I'm thinkin it should turn out alright. I'm not quite sure if it will clear the hood... but if it doesn't I guess I'll just have to graft a DSM bump onto it or something. :? Here's the belt alignment now that I got the lower pullies spaced out. Colin __________________ Last edited by Colin; 11-29-2005 at 11:39 PM.

04-05-2005, 10:03 AM	#11
npaulseth MNSC Sig Cowboy Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Eau Claire, Wi Posts: 1,853 Ride: 1992 Eagle Talon AWD Red	I love it. This is by far the coolest thing I've seen in the past two weeks.

04-05-2005, 10:18 AM	#12
b204dr SNAIL POWER Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: North Posts: 1,974 Ride: 2006 MS6	that looks like alot of work- what kind of hp range will it run finished __________________ 2000 civic ex b204dr-stolen : 89 mazda mx6 gt-totalled 95 cx d16y8-sold : 05 accord -sold 05 evo gsr-sold : 94 integra ls-broke 95 integra gsr-dd : 06 ms6 -baby mobile

04-05-2005, 09:26 PM	#13
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	I'd like to see 400 whp, but I'm happy with anything over 300. __________________

04-06-2005, 04:59 AM	#14
Forced-Induction Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South Metro MN Posts: 49 Ride: GTP	That is truly spectacular, and you've done an excellent job with the welding and fabrication. Wickedly Sweet!

04-06-2005, 02:54 PM	#15
jeffescortlx Traps at 100mph broken Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Elk River Posts: 769 Ride: 93 Ford Escort	Look'n good Colin. I think me and you have the same problem, one day we opened are hood, and have'nt been able to get out of the engine bay and stop making more power.

04-06-2005, 03:05 PM	#16
chad1.5litertoaster Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Crystal, MN Posts: 8,492 Ride: 2006 Scion xB Glass Top	300hp, are you gonna put a turbo on that thing?

04-06-2005, 10:08 PM	#17
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	Yeah, but I'm not sure which turbo yet. I'm considering a Holset HY-35W, but I'm not sure if it will be big enough.. kinda want a full T4. I dunno. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look at some compressor maps, check my bank balance, and cry myself to sleep. __________________

04-07-2005, 12:02 AM	#19
tonyk Whats this button do? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: bloomington Posts: 1,517 Ride: 1994 Mazda 626, 2002 Dodge Dakota	that thing is insane. Awesome work. Its incredible what people can do with engines

04-07-2005, 05:44 AM	#20
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	The Holset is comparable to a T3/T4 60 trim... except it's cheaper, lasts longer, spools faster, and is more efficient. So it's not really comparable... but it is better suited to the 2.3T, methinks. But you're right... a smaller turbo like that is going to be more appropriate than a bigass T4 or something. __________________

05-02-2005, 01:57 PM	#21
Jon from Utah Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: apple valley Posts: 7 Ride: 85 1/2 Mustang SVO	go with the holset. also I would like to see this sometime.

05-02-2005, 10:03 PM	#22
Colin Hater Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2003 Location: STC Posts: 3,581 Ride: Merkur, Ruckus, Ninja, Ram	Whoa! An SVO on MNSC! Sweeeeet. Lemme know when you wanna "see it"... I'll call up the rest of the 2.3T mafia and we'll have a turboford meet. __________________

05-03-2005, 10:55 AM	#24
chad1.5litertoaster Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Crystal, MN Posts: 8,492 Ride: 2006 Scion xB Glass Top	Now I have another question. Are you sure the right valves are opening at the right times and that you have the correct valve timing? I mean you do have two different brands of engine there. Maybe I missed something though. The head and block are both from 2.3L motors, right? I don't know, I haven't done any homework on these engines.

05-03-2005, 12:02 PM	#25
POS_NeonTech doesn't drive a neon. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Duluth Posts: 14,366 Ride: A4	Yes, I'm pretty sure the head is from a volvo 2.3l. __________________

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