1979 Volvo 244DL Beige and low

Hope you don't mind if I post my 'showroom' thread here as its more of a project.

Thought I would make a build thread for my Swedish brick. I bought my 1979 Volvo 244 DL in April this year, and she survived the 7h return rip from Yorkshire to Berkshire (only 4 speed so could go 60mph max on the motorway). How she was when I bought her, at a recent car show.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/image7_zps7efnemt1.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/image7_zps7efnemt1.jpeg" border="0" alt="244 VRT photo image7_zps7efnemt1.jpeg"/></a>

I know the black and white plates are for pre 73 cars but suits it so much better.

Few photos with my mate tom's 2002.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/IMG_5460_zps5fmtdk3x.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/IMG_5460_zps5fmtdk3x.jpg" border="0" alt="244 and 2002 photo IMG_5460_zps5fmtdk3x.jpg"/></a>


<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/image1%202_zpsppqaln3k.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/image1%202_zpsppqaln3k.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image1 2_zpsppqaln3k.jpg"/></a>


Ordered some DC budget coilovers which arrived in August. Fitting them with these clowns.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/image9_zpsfd4z5ku8.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/image9_zpsfd4z5ku8.jpeg" border="0" alt="fitting coilovers photo image9_zpsfd4z5ku8.jpeg"/></a>

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/image11_zpsuf7eqmys.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/image11_zpsuf7eqmys.jpeg" border="0" alt="front coilover on photo image11_zpsuf7eqmys.jpeg"/></a>

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/IMG_6520_zpsjbsa9mfa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/IMG_6520_zpsjbsa9mfa.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6520_zpsjbsa9mfa.jpg"/></a>


Turns out both front struts were different sizes, and I ended up driving to Wales in my golf to collect a later shape hub to remedy this. Longest 8.5h of my life on anonymous welsh motorways. Ordered the smaller 31.8mm bearing from Brookhouse Volvo spares and received it the next day.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/image10_zpsdfwdmwxh.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/image10_zpsdfwdmwxh.png" border="0" alt="wales trip photo image10_zpsdfwdmwxh.png"/></a>


But I had work Saturday and postage wasn't guaranteed then so had no choice. Fitted the other front strut and rears on the sunday.

How she sits now, about 160mm lower all round. Too low at the back, currently waiting for an adjustable panhard rod from DVS Australia which'll arrive within 2 weeks. Then I can be comfortable with the car being this low.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/image2_zpsjurlqlgp.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/image2_zpsjurlqlgp.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image2_zpsjurlqlgp.jpg"/></a>


Ordered a new brake fluid reservoir from an early 245 (as the old one recently cracked) from T J Stone Volvo spares in Hull, arrived next day. Would recommend for any spares, very helpful.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/james_sharp2/media/image15_zps4rptytsn.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/james_sharp2/image15_zps4rptytsn.jpeg" border="0" alt="brake fluid reservoir photo image15_zps4rptytsn.jpeg"/></a>


Will get some banded steelies soon, probably 8J fronts and 10.5J rears once I roll the arches



15 November 2016: Been a while since my last post and since then I've acquired some pontiac firebird trans am GT turbines, which are 15" and 8J all round. They fit nicely with some 5x108 to 5x120 adaptors.







Recent photos: locking wheel nuts, the centre caps and stickers I'm planning, replaced dimmer switch and instrument dash light, up on the ramp













The guys at my local garage waxoyled the underside for ?20, used 4 cans of hammerite aerosol. I got the wheels balanced at a local garage as well.


Planning an engine swap, the 2.3 from the 940 turbo, and a headlight conversion to the older round lights off a pre-79 model in the near future.

When you swap headlights, sell those to some hipster in America.

I like your version of the taillights with the small reverse light.

Cheers, yeh the rear lights are nice on this one. I want to remove the rear bumper at some point though, think its a bit bulky. I've seen a couple 240s with smoothed over bumpers that look better in my opinion. Unsure how hard it would be to do though

Awesome, I always thought those wheels would look cool

Thanks mate, they went on well on the 185/45/15 nankangs, just the right amount of stretch. My main aim now is just for the 5 speed box (overdrive) before anything else, planning on getting an m46 box from a 940

Love it. The wheels are superb, the ride height, how clean it is, excellent.

M46 or M47 (weaker, slightly) is direct fit. newer M46/47/90 have no speedo gear though. GPS/phone as speedometer acceptable for MOT?

Could do M90 too now, then you are only buying a gearbox and clutch once. More work to fit though!

Thanks JW240, I want to go a little lower on the front but volvo don't make a shallow sump so think I'll stay at this height for a while. I've found some pontiac centre caps which are unreal, but unsure if they fit and at ?80 with import from the USA its a bit risky. Thanks for the gearbox advice, will look into it

You're welcome.

maybe a brace like this one I made is nice for protecting the sump?

http://forums.turbobricks.com/showpost.php?p=5237700&postcount=168

Of course you lose some (20mm) ground clearance. Maybe with some more plate it could/should help to dodge stuff the wants to damage the sump. Should be easy to make with mig welder and some square tubing.

sharp2016 said:

Cheers, yeh the rear lights are nice on this one. I want to remove the rear bumper at some point though, think its a bit bulky. I've seen a couple 240s with smoothed over bumpers that look better in my opinion. Unsure how hard it would be to do though

Click to expand...

You can drill the bumper shocks and push it in. I'm pretty sure commandos have em but not sure

BillyMaysHere said:

You can drill the bumper shocks and push it in. I'm pretty sure commandos have em but not sure

Click to expand...

Yep, they do. Seen several collapsed that way.

Shave some weight and convert to the 82-84 'skinny' bumpers. The commandos are hefty. The 82-84 bumpers are much lighter with just an aluminum blade behind the plastic.

I got some Pontiac centre caps which I'll put some photos of when I get my laptop back from home. I ordered an m47 gearbox off a mate of mine off the UK owners club but sadly it has no speedo input as it's a 93 model. So annoying JW240. The bargain price meant I was too quick to buy haha as I got it for ?50 as opposed to ?200 and Its in great condition. And it'll cost ?300 to address this with new sensors etc. I think I'll wait until I get a new engine and gearbox next year. I'm thinking an SR20 for 2018! I know it'll be a lot of time money and frustration but when it's done itlll be unreal

I'm using this thread less, and instagram more. Feel free to follow me @sharp.james

sharp2016 said:

I'm using this thread less, and instagram more. Feel free to follow me @sharp.james

Click to expand...

will do. just need to come up with somewhat elusive and strange user name, then i will join insta.

Update

Sorted pontiac centre caps, round headlight conversion, and lowered the car another cm at the front. Really coming together now. Will be at Players Modified in a hangar spot at Essex on 17 august. Photos on instagram: @sharp.james

I like the body colored commandos on this ride! This thing looks righteous.

Hi guys, my 1979 244DL is reluctantly up for sale as I have nowhere to store it: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283500302503 any questions, feel free to get in touch- my number is on the ebay advert