Installing M40 transmission in PV544A B16B
PV444 and 122 with B16B and possibly PV - B14 should be similar,
Check every thing before you cut, drill or grind!
The M40 has better spacing of gear ratios.
Speed in Gears Chart
Click on thumbnails for larger photos
M4 & M40, The differences
The M40 that fits! - Uses this Bell housing
from PV 544 "B" with B16B
1961 only (544 Chassis #s 295500 – 330099)
(very rare, this is the only one I have ever seen!)
No modifications necessary
(must check input shaft pilot length)
Shorten only pilot end
Do not cut back splines
(check out before you cut as this may not be necessary)
The Template
(use to locate drill holes in case and slot in bell housing)
Rent mine for $10.00 + shipping, $30.00 deposit,
$20.00 less shipping refunded when returned in good condition
You could drill without dismantling transmission, but since
I was overhauling the transmission
it was much easier to handle the bare case
If you do not know the true history and condition of the M40
that you are installing you should tear it down and inspect
all parts as just pulling cover off and looking in
does not give you a good inspection of cluster gear
shaft & needle bearings, input to main shaft roller bearings,
bronze synchronizers or even main ball bearings.
Swedespeed Transmission Overhaul Posting
I have found that the M30 (Three Speed) and the M40 (Four Speed) use the
same transmission case!
The very best Vintage Volvo parts source:
Susquehanna Spares
Joe Lazenby
3725 Elder Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717)921-2644
Must be fly cut 3/16" deep for shift shaft plug clearance
Consider Speedometer hook up and drive ratio, to use M40
Speedometer cable you must use: p# 669020-0
for speedometers with small threads (standard on PV544A),
PV544B should already be M40 equipped .
If you are using a later speedometer head with larger threads use
Speedometer cable : p# 670506-5
M40 use 16T cable gear for 4.10 rear axel ratio, Pt# 380164-4
M40 use 17T cable gear for 4.30 rear axel ratio, Pt# 380166-9
M40 use 18T cable gear for 4.56 rear axel ratio, Pt# 380168-5
Disclaimer!
This information was obtained by actually making conversion to my B16B
PV 544"A", The M40 I used is part# 254249, I think out of a pre 1967 122 ?
Volvo had many versions of this transmission (used in 544, 122, 144 etc.)
and to the best of my research it seems
that they all use the same input shaft (pt# 380136-2),
this is not true for the output shaft as they list at least 2 different splines,
if the donor transmission has the correct flange for your driveshaft
you will probably be OK, if you must change flange from your
old transmission make sure splines are correct!
Large rear spline 1967>
Check rear tail housing to make sure speedometer drive is at correct angle!
You should not consider a M41 (OD) for a B16 PV
as it would not have enough torque to handle the
higher gearing.
A B18-B20 should have a 4.56 - 1 rear axel ratio
when using M41,
I had a B20 - 144 that I installed a M41 with "D" OD
with 4.10 axel gearing and it was much to high,
It was quieter at cruising speed but less economy
and always had to shift down for any acceleration!
EMail Me at: ragingmoose@rocketmail.com
or call: 217-562-4444
My 544 B16B Sport site
Raging Moose Productions