Description

Volvo Penta TAD940VE, TAD941VE, TAD942VE, TAD943VE, TAD950VE 2006 Parts Catalog

Mike Callahan here. I’ve seen too many mechanics order a cylinder head gasket that doesn’t fit because they relied on some PDF copy that was scanned wrong or a third-party site that swapped part numbers. That’s not a problem you get with the factory Volvo Penta Parts Catalog for the TAD940VE, TAD941VE, TAD942VE, TAD943VE, and TAD950VE. 214 pages, direct from the OEM, with every part broken down by serial number range. No aftermarket filler. This is what I keep on the shop tablet when I’ve got a TAD940VE on the stand and need to know which valve spring collet goes on the 3-groove valve.

Why This Parts Catalog Beats Aftermarket Alternatives

Aftermarket parts catalogs usually copy the original once, and the copies get blurry or combine different supersessions into one line. Volvo Penta releases these with serial number splits – you’ll see different cylinder head assemblies depending on whether your engine is before or after SN 15996. Page 1 shows the head illustration for the earlier range; page 4 picks up the later series with different part numbers for the valves, guides, and cap plugs. That level of detail is what keeps you from ordering the wrong seat insert. The catalog is organized by engine model and then by system group, so you can flip to the cylinder head section (Group 21) and pick exactly what you need. No guessing, no cross-database lookup that spits out a superseded number you have to double-check.

Cylinder Head Section: Real Part Numbers for TAD940VE to TAD950VE

Group 21 in this catalog is worth the price of admission alone. You get exploded diagrams with callouts, then a parts list with REF numbers, PART NO., QTY, DESCRIPTION, and NOTES. For TAD940VE, TAD941VE, TAD942VE, TAD943VE up to SN 15995, the cylinder head exchange unit is 3803656. For SN 15996 onward, it’s 3803937 – a different casting. The valve guides change from 3183283 to 20817645. The intake valve seat goes from 20459643 to 20555102. If you try to mix those parts across serial breaks, you’ll have a problem. This catalog tells you exactly which O-ring (3165747 vs 20536487) and which valve stem seal fits your engine. I’ve had apprentices try to use the earlier exhaust valve (8148069) on a later head – doesn’t work. The catalog’s note says which valve has 1 groove or 3 grooves. That’s the kind of thing that saves you a return trip to the parts counter.

214 Pages of Exploded Views and Part Lists

The catalog covers the entire engine – not just cylinder head. You get Groups like 10 (Engine block), 11 (Crankshaft), 15 (Fuel system), 18 (Turbo), 21 (Cylinder head), 30 (Lubrication), 40 (Cooling), and so on. Each group has a section number, and the bottom of every page shows the update date (these were finalized 29 JUN 2006) and the Volvo Penta drawing number. Pages are numbered by group – the cylinder head section alone runs several pages. When you’re on the shop floor and the customer wants a part number right now, you don’t want to scroll through an index. You want a printed or searchable PDF with clear part numbers. That’s what this is. The document is 214 pages total, and every page carries the Volvo Penta logo and the model range it applies to (TAD940/941/942/943/950/951/952VE). The 951 and 952 variants share the same illustrations but are not the primary focus of this catalog – still, if you have a 950VE, the head section applies. Also check out the Volvo Penta VN, 630, 670, 780, 600 Series Parts Catalog – 24-Page OEM if you need smaller industrial engines.

What This Catalog Does NOT Cover

Let’s be clear: this is a parts catalog, not a service manual. It won’t tell you how to remove the cylinder head or what torque to apply to the head bolts. If you need torque specs and assembly sequences, you want the factory repair manual. But if you’re overhauling a TAD942VE and need to know the correct piston ring set or the part number for the rocker arm shaft (8148088 – same for all serial ranges), this catalog is your source. I’ve seen guys buy a generic “diesel engine parts list” off the internet and end up with a box of parts that don’t fit. That’s not a problem here. The part numbers come from Volvo Penta, and the catalog shows when a part was superseded. For example, the de-carbonizing kit (3807681) is listed under Group 99 – if you’re doing a top-end rebuild, you’ll need that kit. Don’t guess; use the catalog. Also worth considering if you work on other Volvo Penta series: Volvo Penta TAD1241VE TAD1242VE TWD1240VE Parts Catalog OEM and Volvo Penta TAD1250VE Series Parts Catalog.

Who Needs This Catalog?

Fleet mechanics who maintain multiple TAD940-950VE engines in generators or marine applications. DIY owners with a TAD941VE in a work boat who want to order the correct valve stem seal without paying a dealer markup. Anyone who’s ever ordered a part twice because the first one didn’t match. The catalog is not for beginners who are just looking for basic specs – it’s for people who need to buy the exact part and trust it will fit. If you’re rebuilding a cylinder head on a 2006 TAD950VE, you flip to page 1, find the part number, order it, and move on. I’ve used this catalog myself to cross-reference parts when a customer brought in an engine with a swapped serial number plate. The SN breaks in this catalog saved me from ordering the wrong head gasket. If you want to understand how modern diesel engines are built, read this Wikipedia article on diesel engines for background on the common-rail architecture these engines use. For a deeper dive into the combustion cycle, check this Wikipedia article on diesel engines. But for part numbers, stick to the factory catalog.

Does this catalog list torque specifications?

No. This is a parts catalog, not a service manual. It lists part numbers and quantities only.

How do I know which part number applies to my engine?

Look at the serial number on your engine data plate. The catalog has serial number breaks for each section – for example, cylinder head parts differ before and after SN 15996. Find your engine model (TAD940VE, etc.) and match the serial number range. The table of contents groups by engine family, then within each group the parts are listed with the applicable SN range in the heading. If your engine falls between two ranges, use the later range parts (the catalog notes supersession). When in doubt, cross-reference the part number with a dealer, but the catalog gives you the first layer of accuracy. I keep a printed copy in the shop because it’s faster than any online portal.

If you’re tired of chasing wrong part numbers and want a straight factory reference, Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals. This catalog prints cleanly, searchable PDF, no watermarks. Get the correct parts the first time.