Volvo P210 Engine Support Cross Member
 

I need of some advice regarding frame, cross member, suspension.

I’m in the early stages of attempting to resurrect a Duett from 3 badly rusted vehicles.
None of the frames are complete. Of course, they are all missing pieces in the same area.

But before I attempt to stitch/fabricate one good frame, I need to ensure that I have at least one good engine support cross member.

As it turns out, I have one repairable cross member and two totally rusted out members.

The frame I chose to rebuild is from a 1965 P210 with a non-repairable cross member (see picture below)
The engine support cross member from the 1961 duett with a 1.6L engine is in good enough condition to rebuild (see picture below).

Unfortunately, the two cross members are not identical as can be seen in the picture.
I know that the 1961 has a different steering linkage assembly from the 1965, but I’m wondering if a B18 or B20 engine would still fit into the 1961 gross member without any major issues.

Also, the suspension appear to be the same for both years, and I also have the suspension and steering linkages for the 1965 duett.

Any light on this subject or shared experience would be greatly appreciated.

JimK

I have seen the "chassis" out riggers for sale once in a while over here in Holland. I assume the Duett has the same bits as the PV

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I have a PV544 from 1961.

It has a B20 engine fitted (I bought it that way)

I have no idea if the original 1961 cross member is still fitted - but I assume it is. My car originally had a B18.

I have put loads of pictures in a thread on this forum which is linked in my sig below. There might be enough information in there for you to see for yourself. I can also take a few pictures if you really need of the cross member as the engine is still not fitted in the car.

My understanding is that from a "will it fit" situation there is no difference between the B18 and B20. I think it is an easy swap / upgrade / change

Jim;

Welcome to this Forum!

I don't have much PV experience to pass on, except that I recall that 210s had a separate rail frame, and 544s were unibody (and that both have hydraulic pressure sensing Brake Light Switches!) .

As far as those two Crossmembers go, I can't help much, but I would take some careful measurements, to see how different they really are...

Cheers from Connecticut!

Hi, I have a 1965 Duett, which had a rusted out crossmember, which I replaced with one from a B16 engined PV544. You can remove the bracket on the front of the crossmember that is for the steering idler, or leave it in place (as I have) as it doesn't get in the way. You'll have to elongate the holes for the engine mountings, and, if I remember correctly, you will need engine mounting brackets from a B16, or possibly one of each.
Bottom line, it can be done without too much difficulty.
Good Luck, Andy.

Thanks for the support.
MrV on another forum has identified that the cross members are interchangeable, but the engine mounts are not.
The original B16 cross member rubber mounts are closer together than the newer one on my P210 frame.
Solution: use B16 engine mount on B18 & B20 engines

Thanks, Jim K

old fart, thanks for the info.

Which steering linkage do you have? The early one with the idle arm mounted inward or the newer one with steering box and idle arm mounted on the frame?

When I do get to the front suspension assembly, I'm not sure which one I can use. I'm also entertaining a manual rack and pinion if one can be found that fits.

Are you aware of anyone adapting a rack and pinion?

I have the steering box and idler mounted on the frame, as original to my '65 car.
From what I've read, a rack and pinion conversion is not advised, as it sounds simpler than it is.

Thanks Andy.
It appears the steering rack would need to be mounted in front of the suspension. So the steering shaft would probably need a couple of universal joints.

I find the steering is great on my spitfire and TR6, both use a rack.
Linkages are not bad when the ball joints are tight.

As you can see on the frame the passenger side frame mount for the idle arm is broken, so I may only have the older steering linkage as an option.