Volvo B18 engine explained

Volvo B18 engine
Manufacturer:Volvo
Configuration:Naturally aspirated Inline-4
Predecessor:Volvo B4B engine
Successor:Volvo Redblock Engine
Stroke:802NaN2
Block:Cast iron
Head:Cast iron
Management:Bosch D-Jetronic or K-Jetronic
Fueltype:Gasoline
Oilsystem:Wet sump
Coolingsystem:Water cooled
Power:NaN1NaN1
Compression:8.5:1 – 10.5:1

The B18 is a 1.8 L inline four cylinder overhead valve automobile engine produced by Volvo from 1961 through 1968. A larger 2.0 L derivative called the B20 debuted in 1969.

Despite being a pushrod design, the engines can rev to 6,500 rpm. They are also reputed to be very durable. The world's highest mileage car, a 1966 Volvo P1800S, traveled more than 3039122order=flipNaNorder=flip on its original B18 engine.

B18

The B18 is a 1.8 L overhead valve (OHV) engine with two valves per cylinder. It has five main bearings, two more than the B16.

With a bore of 84.142NaN2 and stroke of 802NaN2, the B18 displaces 17781NaN1. The cylinders are on 105/ split bore centers, where the spacing between cylinders 2 and 3 is wider than that between cylinders 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. The engine was used in Volvo's PV544, P210 Duett, 120 (Amazon), P1800 and 140 series. It could also be found in the L3314 and the Bandvagn 202 military vehicles. The B18 was fitted to many Volvo Penta sterndrive marine propulsion systems. It was also used in the Facel Vega Facel III and the Marcos 1800 GT.

There are four variations of this engine:

DOHC

In 1971 Swedish engineer Gunnar Axelsson developed a DOHC cylinder head for the B18 engine family. This cylinder head was used in competition Volvos for several years. On 1 January 2014 the Grainger & Worrall company announced that they had partnered with Axelsson to reproduce the DOHC head for the B18 engine. Power output of the base engine was expected to be 1901NaN1, while a high-output version developing 2251NaN1 would also be available.

B36

See main article: Volvo B36 engine. In 1952 Volvo unveiled the Volvo Philip concept car powered by a 3.6 litre V8 engine that would later be called the B36. The V8 engine had exactly the same bore and stroke dimensions as the four-cylinder B18, leading some to suggest that the B18 is one-half of the V8. Significant differences between the two engines included the fact that while the V8 engine has crossflow cylinder heads, the four cylinder has a reverse-flow cylinder head. This suggests that the engines are for the most part separate designs.

B20

The 2 L B20 is a bored-out B18 introduced in 1969, with its bore diameter enlarged to 88.91NaN1 and a displacement of 19861NaN1. The design is virtually identical to the earlier B18, thus most parts are functionally interchangeable, albeit with running changes to the manufacture and design of components. The B20 engine was used in the Volvo 120, 1800, 140, C202 and 240 series, and also in the Bofors Haubits FH77 howitzer. A modified version was used in the one-off 1969 Volvo GTZ concept car. The B20 was produced until 1981.

There are five variations of this engine:

The B20E and B20F versions featured larger valves, and intake/exhaust ports and for 1974–1975 switched from electronic D-Jetronic to mechanical K-Jetronic injection.

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

The B20A was revived for use in the C202 from 1977 to 1981.

B30

See main article: Volvo B30 engine. The 30NaN0 six-cylinder B30 is a B20 with two additional cylinders, introduced for the 1969 model for the newly released Volvo 164.

Engine chart

Volvo B18 and B20 engine specifications! Engine! Year! Induction! Power (SAE)! Power (DIN)! Torque (SAE)! Torque (DIN)! Compression
" rowspan="2"B18A1962–1964 Zenith 36VN at 4500 rpm 1010NaN0 at 2800 rpm 8.5:1
1965–1968 ZS 175-CD2-S at 5000 rpm at 4700 rpm1080NaN0 at 3000 rpm 1050NaN0 at 2300 rpm 8.7:1
" rowspan="5"B18B1961–1963 " rowspan="5"2 x SU HS6 at 5500 rpm 1080NaN0 at 4000 rpm 9.5:1
1964–1966 at 5800 rpm 1100NaN0 at 4000 rpm " rowspan="4"10:1
1967–1968 140 " rowspan="3" at 6000 rpm at 5600 rpm" rowspan="3"1120NaN0 at 4000 rpm 1070NaN0 at 3500 rpm
1967–1968 121 122S at 5600 rpm106.50NaN0 at 3500 rpm
1967–1968 1800S at 5600 rpm108.50NaN0 at 3500 rpm
B18C at 2500 rpm
" rowspan="3"B18D1961–1963 " rowspan="3"2 x SU HS6 at 5000 rpm 1050NaN0 at 3500 rpm 8.5:1
1964–1966 at 5400 rpm 1070NaN0 at 3800 rpm " rowspan="3"8.7:1
1967-1968 at 5700 rpm at 5500 rpm 1080NaN0 at 3500 rpm 1050NaN0 at 3200 rpm
B20A1969–1974 ZS 175-CD2-SE at 4800 rpm at 4700 rpm 1190NaN0 at 3000 rpm 1160NaN0 at 2300 rpm
" rowspan="3"B20B1969–1970 2 x 175-CD2-SE " rowspan="2" at 5800 rpm " rowspan="2" at 5500 rpm " rowspan="2"1230NaN0 at 3500 rpm " rowspan="2"1120NaN0 at 3500 rpm 9.5:1
1971-1974 9.3:1
1972–1974 US 2 x SU HIF6 at 5800 rpm 1030NaN0 at 3500 rpm 8.7:1
" rowspan="2" B20D 1969–1971 " rowspan="2"2 x SU HIF6 at 5500 rpm at 5300 rpm " rowspan="2"1230NaN0 at 3000 rpm " rowspan="2"1140NaN0 at 2800 rpm " rowspan="2"9.3:1
1972 at 5500 rpm at 5300 rpm
" rowspan="3"B20E1970–1971 " rowspan="2" at 6000 rpm at 6000 rpm " rowspan="3"1300NaN0 at 3500 rpm " rowspan="3"1230NaN0 at 3500 rpm " rowspan="2"10.5:1
1972–1973 " rowspan="2" at 6000 rpm " rowspan="2" at 6000 rpm
1974 Bosch K-Jetronic10.2:1
" rowspan="4"B20F1972 " rowspan="2" at 6000 rpm 1130NaN0 at 3500 rpm " rowspan="4"8.7:1
1973 at 6000 rpm 1150NaN0 at 3500 rpm
1974 " rowspan="2" at 5500 rpm 1150NaN0 at 2500 rpm
19751 at 6000 rpm 1100NaN0 at 3500 rpm
Note:
1 and 1050NaN0 when equipped with a catalytic converter.

See also

References

External links