Volvo B30 engine

Last updated
Volvo B30
1975 Volvo 164E hood open.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Volvo
Production1969–1975
Layout
Configuration Inline-6
Displacement 3.0 L; 181.8 cu in (2,979 cc)
Cylinder bore 88.9 mm (3.5 in)
Piston stroke 80 mm (3.15 in)
Cylinder block material Cast iron
Cylinder head materialCast iron
Valvetrain OHV
Compression ratio 7.5:1, 8.7:1, 9.3:1, 10.0:1
RPM range
Idle speed 900 rpm [1]
Combustion
Fuel system
Management Bosch D-Jetronic
Fuel type Petrol
Oil system Wet sump
Cooling system Water-cooled
Output
Power output
  • 95 hp (70.8 kW) at 5000 (min)
  • 175 hp (130.5 kW) at 5800 (max)
Torque output
  • 105 lb⋅ft (142 N⋅m) at 3000 (min)
  • 178 lb⋅ft (241 N⋅m) at 2500 (max)

The B30 is an inline-six automotive petrol engine produced by Volvo starting in 1968. It was used primarily in the Volvo 164 sedan from 1969 through 1975. The engine also appeared in military, marine, industrial, agricultural, and powercraft applications.

Contents

History

In March 1958 Volvo launched Project 358 to design a new large model with Chief Designer Jan Wilsgaard taking the lead. [2] The original plan for this car was to use the V8 engine that had been developed for the Volvo Philip concept car of 1952. That engine, which was later called the B36, was rejected in favour of a new inline six. The engine for Project 358 was developed by adding two cylinders to the existing B18, resulting in a six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2.7 litres. [3] [4] Project B358 did not go into production, but most of the early work done on it was revived when development began on the 164, including the six cylinder engine.

Bore and stroke for the 164's engine were based on the larger B20 inline four, resulting in an engine displacing 3.0 litres. Due to their common heritage, many components are shared between the B20 and B30, including pistons, connecting rods, valves and valve-train parts. [5]

The B30A was used in the Marcos GT from 1969 to 1972 [6] and the Volvo C303 from 1974 to 1984. The B30 from the 164 was also used in the 1970 Volvo GTZ 3000 concept car.

Marine application versions of the B30 were sold by Volvo's Penta division. These engines carried designations AQ 95, AQ 165A and AQ 170A, B, or C. They were equipped with three down-draught carburettors. [7] and P type camshaft.

Technical detail

Like the B20 that it was developed from, the B30 has a cast iron block and cylinder head. The single camshaft is in the block, and operates the two overhead valves per cylinder through pushrods and rocker arms.

Cylinder bore and piston stroke is 88.9 mm × 80 mm (3.50 in × 3.15 in), giving a total displacement of 3.0 L; 181.8 cu in (2,979 cc). The B30/B30A version used twin 175CD2SE constant-depression Zenith-Stromberg carburettors. [8] Both the B30E and B30F used the D-Jetronic fuel injection system from Bosch.

There are three major variations of this engine: [1]

EngineYearInductionPowerTorqueCamshaftCompressionNotes
B30A19692 Zenith-Stromberg carburettor
175-CD2-SE
145 hp (108.1 kW)
at 5500 rpm
163 lb⋅ft (221 N⋅m)
at 3000 rpm
C9.3:1Originally called the B30, this version was renamed B30A with the introduction of the B30E and B30F.
1970
1971
1972145 hp (108.1 kW)
at 5000 rpm
197295 hp (70.8 kW)
at 5000 rpm
105 lb⋅ft (142 N⋅m)
at 3000 rpm
7.5:1Low-compression version built for the marine boats
1972120 hp (89.5 kW)
at 5000 rpm
142 lb⋅ft (193 N⋅m)
at 3000 rpm
8.7:1Low-compression version built for the US market.
1975-84125 hp (93.2 kW)
at 4250 rpm
162 lb⋅ft (220 N⋅m)
at 2800 rpm
9.3:1Volvo C303/C304/C306 civilian versions
117 hp (87.2 kW)
at 4000 rpm(1)
152 lb⋅ft (206 N⋅m)
at 2500 rpm(1)
AVolvo C303/C304/C306 military versions
B30E(2)1972Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection175 hp (130.5 kW)
at 5800 rpm
178 lb⋅ft (241 N⋅m)
at 2500 rpm
C10.0:1
1973
1974
1975
B30F(2)1972-73138 hp (102.9 kW)
at 5500 rpm
154 lb⋅ft (209 N⋅m)
at 3500 rpm
C8.7:1Developed for lower emissions.
1974145 hp (108.1 kW)
at 5500 rpm
160 lb⋅ft (217 N⋅m)
at 2500 rpm
1975130 hp (96.9 kW)
at 5500 rpm
150 lb⋅ft (203 N⋅m)
at 3500 rpm
Notes:
(1) Outputs lower than civilian versions due to use of A-camshaft.
(2) The B30E and B30F versions featured larger valves and intake/exhaust ports.

In 1974 the number of bolts holding the flywheel increased from 6 to 8 and the size of the connecting rods was increased.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Volvo Engine Specifications" (PDF). 360.haubits.net/VolvoRacing.se.
  2. "A Volvo Moment: Project 358 with a shape that lived on". www.volvocars.com. 7 October 2016.
  3. Martin, Murilee (October 5, 2017). "Stretched-Out Engine of the Week: Volvo B30 straight-six". autoweek.com.
  4. "Sixes from Volvo - A smooth 80 year affair". www.media.volvocars.com. Mar 17, 2009.
  5. "Volvos sexa - en pigg åttioåring" [Volvo's six - a vigorous eighty-year-old]. www.bilsport.se (in Swedish). 2009-03-18.
  6. "3 Litre Volvo ..." www.rory.uk.com. 2013.
  7. Type Designations
  8. Petrány, Máté (23 August 2018). "Volvo's First Luxury Sedan Just Turned 50". www.roadandtrack.com.

Further reading