740

Introduced in early 1984, the 740 arrived roughly two years after the 760 made its debut. It was intended to be the lower-end version of the original 760. Volvo's plan for the 740 was for it to be a mid-size car that offered more performance, style, and luxury than the 200 series. The 740 was also produced as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon. However, before you tinker with your 740 make sure you have a Volvo 740 repair manual to get the job done right.

For 1985, an intercooled version of the 2 L turbo engine (B200ET) was produced for markets such as Italy, where larger engines were heavily taxed. This unit produced 158 hp at 5500 rpm. A 16-valve version of the larger B230 engine was introduced in 1989, and was called the B234. It was Volvo's first multi-valve engine. 1990 saw the 740 receive a slight restyling. The 740 remained unchanged for the most part for the 1992 model year.

In 1990, mechanical improvements to the 740 series were made. The B200 and B230 engines were given larger 13 mm (0.5 in) connecting rods. The 740 Turbo switched to a Mitsubishi TD04 series from the Garrett T3-series turbocharger. The electronic fuel injection system was updated from Bosch LH-Jetronic 2.2 to 2.4. And by 1993, the final model year for the 740, the mechanical engine cooling fan was replaced with an electric fan.

In late 1991, Volvo offered a sedan and wagon badged the 740 SE to buyers. The 740 SE was the same as the 740 Turbo, but had many more features, such as leather seats and a power sunroof, as standard equipment. The 740 SE, along with the 740 Turbo sedan, was discontinued for 1992.

Despite the fact that the hayday of the Volvo 740 is over, don’t let that fool you into thinking they aren’t still around. They’re out there. So, remember if you ever need help servicing your 740, having a Volvo 740 service manual can make the job go smoother.