Uncleknucklez 242 road ripper

[Uncleknucklez]

As of two nights ago, I HAVE AC!!!! I was really nervous that the 1993 R134 system I put in the car would have issues, but Gary offered to vacuum and charge the system, So I swung by his place Wednesday night and we took a lash at it. (Peep that Sportwagon )



The system vacuumed down to 26 inches and sat there for about half an hour with the pump off, so he proceeded to measure out and fill the system with the appropriate amount of refrigerant. We fired up the system, and it cooled for a minute, then warm air out of the vents. After racking our brains and a couple phone calls, we were confident the system worked, and were hoping for air flow issue. Sure enough the heater control valve doesn't turn off all the way, as soon as I clamped the hose shut the vent temps dropped immediately. Success!

This was after a short drive from Harbor Freight at 90 degrees ambiant (to buy this dumb thermometer) I am going to help Gary with a project at his house, and if we have time I'm hoping we can throw the gauges back on to verify everything is G2G.


My new heater control


I also ordered all new silicone heater and radiator hoses, a STS machining SS pass through, and also an Europartshouse heater valve kit (that hasn't arrived yet)


Truthfully, The "build" stage of this car is winding down. I plan to continue finalizing my aluminum door card file, and work through a couple bugs here and there. I would also like to really clean the engine bay, I'm not going crazy shaving and whatnot, but cleaner, fresh paint on some stuff. Also the blower motor is noisier than I would like, and that may need to be changed sooner rather than later. I would like to find some very light window tint to cut some UV and such. But we shall see.

[gsellstr]

Stupid work proxy, pics are blocked.

Just a heads up, might dig around for reviews on the heater valves. I know there's been some of the aftermarkets that are junk. David Saumels does have ones that actually hold up. I was going to mention tomorrow but since you've already ordered...

[Uncleknucklez]

Originally Posted by gsellstr

Stupid work proxy, pics are blocked.

Just a heads up, might dig around for reviews on the heater valves. I know there's been some of the aftermarkets that are junk. David Saumels does have ones that actually hold up. I was going to mention tomorrow but since you've already ordered...

Bummer about the pics, but you were there. lol

I ordered this retrofit valve, hoping this is the last one I will put in this car.

http://europartshouse.com/index.php?...f051653d2d1645

[oldschoolvolvo]

That's a good replacement, no plastic in that valve. I also have that in my car.

[Harlard]

I have had that valve in my car for 4 years. Probably the least troublesome aftermarket part in it.

[gsellstr]

Honestly, I don't follow the 240 valve scene much, 140 is slightly different and I have a NOS valve in the stash anyway. lol

We can definitely throw the gauges on it tomorrow, see how it looks.

[Texas240]

Originally Posted by Uncleknucklez

Bummer about the pics, but you were there. lol

I ordered this retrofit valve, hoping this is the last one I will put in this car.

http://europartshouse.com/index.php?...f051653d2d1645

I might be the only one that finds this valve not so worky worky. With hear complete off and valve closed I still get 140º+ ambient heat out of the vents with blower off.

[122power]

if you really want to get rid of the residue heat inside you need a 4 port heater valve, or maybe a 3 port. I would put it in the engine bay. This way the coolant doesnt dead head and can still flow. Ive seen some on the 90's suburbans with rear heat and can install a switch to have it open close via engine vacuum. I was going to do this to my 245 but never got around to it. There is a lot heat that comes in even though its closed.

[Uncleknucklez]

I haven't done the hoses yet, it's too damn hot out to even wash this thing.

I did pick up a roof rack for my bicycle last night and met a cool Volvo guy in the process. Drove from Sac to Livermore roughly 2 hours, and drove over the Altamont Pass, 100 degree outside temps, A/C cranked, the car never missed a beat. Thanks Mark!






Vent temps still ripping at 100 degree ambient Envirosafe ftw!

[gsellstr]

Glad to hear it's still rocking Chris! Brought the wagon back to town monday after work, same deal, getting around 45* from the vents with the fan turned up high.

[Uncleknucklez]

Originally Posted by gsellstr

Glad to hear it's still rocking Chris! Brought the wagon back to town monday after work, same deal, getting around 45* from the vents with the fan turned up high.

Nice man, The best thing that I did was re-wire the 940 two speed relay, the Saab temp switch now controls the high speed, and the AC pressure switch controls the low. Seems to be alright for now.

[Duder]

Originally Posted by Uncleknucklez

I also ordered all new silicone heater and radiator hoses, a STS machining SS pass through, and also an Europartshouse heater valve kit (that hasn't arrived yet)

I bought very similar silicone 940T hoses for my 242+B230FT, and had a persistent leak at the lower radiator hose (right at the radiator). I thought it was due to overtorquing the hose clamp so I got pissed at it and replaced it with an OE Volvo rubber 940T hose. But now that leaks too in the same place. Either my radiator is tweaked or the hose won't seat properly due to the way I had to cut and shorten it to make it fit the 240. Just a heads up, and wondering if you have had any issues there.

I'm still envious of your working AC...nice job getting that sorted out.

[Uncleknucklez]

Originally Posted by Duder

I bought very similar silicone 940T hoses for my 242+B230FT, and had a persistent leak at the lower radiator hose (right at the radiator). I thought it was due to overtorquing the hose clamp so I got pissed at it and replaced it with an OE Volvo rubber 940T hose. But now that leaks too in the same place. Either my radiator is tweaked or the hose won't seat properly due to the way I had to cut and shorten it to make it fit the 240. Just a heads up, and wondering if you have had any issues there.

I'm still envious of your working AC...nice job getting that sorted out.

Oh boy

I have yet to dive into the hoses, water is my nemesis, I don't even work on plumbing in my home. I am really not looking forward to this, but I am looking forward to a flush and refill.

I will keep an eye on the lower hose for sure, mine currently weeps around that area every once in a while as it is.

[122power]

Sometimes if you have the plastic radiator it has a small crack on the base of the neck by the tanks.

[Duder]

Originally Posted by 122power

Sometimes if you have the plastic radiator it has a small crack on the base of the neck by the tanks.

Good tip. Mine is a brass 3-row 240 radiator, but I suppose I should check it for cracks or damage at this point.

[LC4CARL]

Chicks dig cold A/C.

[DET17]

Originally Posted by Uncleknucklez

Nice man, The best thing that I did was re-wire the 940 two speed relay, the Saab temp switch now controls the high speed, and the AC pressure switch controls the low. Seems to be alright for now.

SAAB tee in the suction (return) hose? What switch did you use, the 82*C or the 92*C?

I just made the same change to my 940, but I triggered (grounded) the low speed fan.... left the high speed as designed on the 9s, AC condenser high pressure. I can already see the gains for around town / traffic.... the low speed fan would seemingly never come on sitting in the garage during tuning sessions.... now it cycles regularly, more like a SAAB 900.

"I am also loving this 242"......

[Uncleknucklez]

Originally Posted by DET17

SAAB tee in the suction (return) hose? What switch did you use, the 82*C or the 92*C?

I just made the same change to my 940, but I triggered (grounded) the low speed fan.... left the high speed as designed on the 9s, AC condenser high pressure. I can already see the gains for around town / traffic.... the low speed fan would seemingly never come on sitting in the garage during tuning sessions.... now it cycles regularly, more like a SAAB 900.

"I am also loving this 242"......

T is in the lower suction side, 82* switch, 87* thermostat, seems to cycle fine, temp is consistent 9 o’clock on the gauge with the bypass.

I contemplated wiring it back to the ecu like the factory, but my research lead me to believe it would run warmer than what I have. Which I don’t want.

[Uncleknucklez]

This past Friday night I changed out all of the heater and radiator hoses for silicone pieces from IPD and DO88. I also changed the heater valve to a Europartshouse conversion, as well as a stainless pass through from STS machining.

PICS!

(my neighbor asked me if the hood ever closed )
















Afterwards I buttoned her up and took it for a spin. So far so good!
While I dove into this, I also changed from the older intake with the cold start to a late model without, as well as ditched the EGR system and plugged the exhaust manifold with an oil pan bolt from the HELP section in Oreilly's (M18x1.5 is the correct thread pitch for the exhaust if you remove the adapter that is also in there).

TBH, I'm running out of things I want to do to this, and that feels good. Wasted Spark is next on the list.

[gsellstr]

Then you'll need another project man. lol

[Uncleknucklez]

Originally Posted by gsellstr

Then you'll need another project man. lol

Ugh, That 745 in the bay is really calling my name. I'd love to have that car and work on my paint and body skills. I already started preliminary discussions with the Mrs. we shall see...

[SquareD]

So good. IMO you didn't overshoot what the platform's sweet spot is, you just took what makes these cars great and cranked it up. Well done man.

Originally Posted by Uncleknucklez

Ugh, That 745 in the bay is really calling my name.

Yesss, do eet!

[Uncleknucklez]

Originally Posted by SquareD

So good. IMO you didn't overshoot what the platform's sweet spot is, you just took what makes these cars great and cranked it up. Well done man.

Thank you for the kind words!

In other news, last night I cut up my brand new aluminum door cards to install JBL 6.5" component speaker system with crossovers. Totally worth it.

[Uncleknucklez]

OH! The clutch slips

[soclosenotnear]

Originally Posted by Uncleknucklez

OH! The clutch slips

Its been doing it more?