Installation Guide Volvo B234F 16v turbo manifold

Installation Guide Volvo B234F 16v turbo manifold

Ando Engineering Exhaust Manifold Installation Guide

1. Preparation

This manifold is designed to fit the factory B234F 16-valve cylinder head, which uses 9xM8 exhaust studs.
Due to the age of these engines, we strongly recommend replacing all exhaust studs and nuts with OEM or OEM-spec components.
Clean the mating surface thoroughly, and check the cylinder head flange with a straight edge to ensure it's true. Resurfacing is recommended if there is any visible warping.

2. Stud Fitment and Modification

When using replacement studs, be aware that lengths may vary.

In our test fit, we found that three studs required trimming:

  • The top row, second stud from the front

  • The two lower studs at the front of the engine

These studs should protrude 20mm from the exhaust flange face for proper nut engagement and adequate manifold clearance (see photos for reference).

 

3. Handling During Installation

If you are test-fitting the manifold during fabrication (e.g. building your downpipe), we recommend placing thick masking tape on both the cylinder head flange and the turbo flange to protect against scratches during repeated removal and installation.

4. Gasket and Hardware Recommendations

Always install a new, high-quality exhaust gasket. These gaskets are not designed to be reused.
Use OEM or OEM-spec exhaust Studs and Nuts for best results.

We recommend using M8 stainless Nord-Lock washers. These allow you to torque the nuts to spec while mechanically locking them in place, helping to prevent loosening from vibration and heat cycling.

5. Downpipe and Exhaust Considerations

It is critical to include a flexible bellow in your exhaust system as soon as practical after the downpipe. This reduces strain on the manifold caused by engine movement and thermal expansion.

We recommend using flexible joints:

  • On the wastegate return (if recirculating)

  • On the downpipe between the turbo and the rest of the exhaust system

This manifold was developed in a right-hand drive Volvo 240, where space is limited due to the steering linkage. A simpler downpipe route may be possible in your application, but flex sections still remain essential for long-term durability.

In our case, the exhaust system is hard-mounted to the gearbox bell housing. It's important to consider how much weight or stress is applied to the downpipe in your installation. Anything you can do to reduce force in this area is critical for long-term Reliability.

6. Enjoy the Process

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