canyoneagle
Striving for mediocrity
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
Hi, after selling my '90 740 Turbo wagon last year, I've been missing the Volvo love.
In the past few months I've started a new job that is only a few miles from home, so I've been searching for a cheap and reliable car to use as my DD. A few weeks ago an orange '79 245 popped onto the local Craigslist. I looked at it and bought it that day.
The car looks like it is in decent overall condition - the orange paint is dull, but the car is mostly rust free (the only spot I have seen is the driver's side buttcheek) and I think the paint will buff out nicely.
The car runs pretty rough, but there is no sign of smoke or other potential nastiness.
The M46 seems to be in good shape with what feels to be a fresh(ish) clutch. The OD seems to be OK.
So I have launched into an initial round of work to get it into basic daily driving condition, but I would like to make this a long term project - resto mod.
The initial round involves:
I got started last weekend with tearing out the old in preparation for installing the new. I hope to have it back on the road this weekend.
Pics coming soon! This is merely a placekeeper for now.
My wife and I are closing on a house at the end of the month, so I don't have a workshop until then.
HUGE gratitude to fellow TB'er impolvo for allowing me to use his space
In the past few months I've started a new job that is only a few miles from home, so I've been searching for a cheap and reliable car to use as my DD. A few weeks ago an orange '79 245 popped onto the local Craigslist. I looked at it and bought it that day.
The car looks like it is in decent overall condition - the orange paint is dull, but the car is mostly rust free (the only spot I have seen is the driver's side buttcheek) and I think the paint will buff out nicely.
The car runs pretty rough, but there is no sign of smoke or other potential nastiness.
The M46 seems to be in good shape with what feels to be a fresh(ish) clutch. The OD seems to be OK.
So I have launched into an initial round of work to get it into basic daily driving condition, but I would like to make this a long term project - resto mod.
The initial round involves:
- Exhaust: original system is shot. Installing new 2.25" (IPD) and cat delete. The original section behind the cat was full of small holes, so I've had a new piece fabbed locally.
- Cooling: Also shot. New radiator, hoses, water pump and thermostat are going in.
- Fuel system: after checking locally to see if anyone could test/clean the mechanical injectors (I don't have a test bench) I found it cheaper to just buy new injectors. I'll install a new filter as well. The accumulator, mid pump, tank pump and filter will be another project for the not too distant future.
- Ignition New coil (Bosch Blue), wires (IPD), rotor/cap, and plugs are going in this weekend.
- Electrical I put one of Philski's 100A Denso's in the car last weekend. Gotta love the proximity to the oil filter . New alt ground and some re-work elsewhere should suffice for now.
- General maintenance I've replaced the oil in the diff, tranny and engine, and am installing a new timing belt + alt/ps belts. The front seals all look good for now. I have new ones but will hold off on installing them at the moment. I've installed a new O2 sensor (cheap and easy) and flame trap / hoses. I'll replace all of the vacuum lines while I'm at it.
- Fun stuff IPD had Hella H4's on sale so I have 4 shiny objects to install. I plan to do the relay mod to alleviate overloading the headlight switch. I like the look of the quad rounds, so no 7" conversion is envisioned.
I got started last weekend with tearing out the old in preparation for installing the new. I hope to have it back on the road this weekend.
Pics coming soon! This is merely a placekeeper for now.
My wife and I are closing on a house at the end of the month, so I don't have a workshop until then.
HUGE gratitude to fellow TB'er impolvo for allowing me to use his space
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