My 245 (An Intro, of Sorts...)

MoCounselor · May 31, 2015

So, this hasn't been updated in awhile, but here's what is new w/the 245:

Stereo install is complete other than making a different box for my footwell-mounted subwoofer. Black trim has been resprayed with Duplicolor bumper trim paint (just the bumper covers themselves, not the lower door cladding,) lower trim has been removed and will be going to a friend's bodyshop shortly to get the holes welded/metal work done, and primed with a white primer for now.

Pics as it sits right now:

What's next? Spacers/adapters should show up tomorrow to convert it from 5x108 to 5x120. Then in a couple of weeks, these will be delivered from a friend:

I scored the set of 4 for $150!!! 16x7" Borbet Type E's!!! They are a 40mm offset, but the adapters I have coming will put them right at a 20mm offset, and then I'll determine if I want to go with a wider rear adapter to space it out a bit more. Now, the big question: 215/55-16 or 205/55-16? for tires?

crazy240 · Jun 1, 2015

I ride on falcon 205/55/16 on Gemini wheels.
Really nice fit and comfort. Speedo is dead on.

Old Iron · Jun 1, 2015

Why just primer?

Danyul · Jun 2, 2015

brendon_ak said:
I thought 89 was the first year for LH2.4 and EZK?

MoCounselor · Jun 2, 2015

Just primer for now because the whole car is going to be resprayed eventually, but I'm not sure if it's going to stay polar white or not. So, the white primer is a compromise to get the newly metal worked/welded holes protected and not stick out as much as grey primer would.

MoCounselor · Jun 2, 2015

Crazy240, do you have a pic of your car that shows the tires from the side? I'm curious how tall a 205/55-16 looks.

Thanks!

SquareD · Jun 2, 2015

My 945 has Conti DWs in 205 55 16. That's an OEM tire size for 940s with 16" hydras and 850/S70 turbos with 16" Perfos and Columbas.

iI ordered 215 55 16s the first time around and they were too much tire, it'd be even worse on a 240 IMO.

Old Iron · Jun 2, 2015

MoCounselor said:
Just primer for now because the whole car is going to be resprayed eventually, but I'm not sure if it's going to stay polar white or not. So, the white primer is a compromise to get the newly metal worked/welded holes protected and not stick out as much as grey primer would.

Gotcha, make a plan and get it done though! Hate to see it live the rest of its life out with just primer.

MoCounselor · Jun 2, 2015

That definitely won't happen. Just gotta keep things somewhat inexpensive, as I've got a year of grad school left and don't want to dip into the savings for "unnecessary" expenses.

SquareD · Jun 3, 2015

MoCounselor said:
Just primer for now because the whole car is going to be resprayed eventually, but I'm not sure if it's going to stay polar white or not. So, the white primer is a compromise to get the newly metal worked/welded holes protected and not stick out as much as grey primer would.

Why not just wait to do it right? Is it rusty or something? You just want to get rid of the belt line trim? If you cleaned it up and painted the trim and put it back on it would look great until you had the time and money to finish whatever you want to do with it. If you leave it in primer it'll look like crap and if you get tired of it your resale value will take a huge hit over even decent condition factory paint.

MoCounselor · Jun 3, 2015

There is some rust coming up on the driver's rear wheel arch. Besides, I just really like the look of the car better without all of the flat grey trim on it. To me, that is the tipping point where the car goes from looking like a classic car, to just an old 80's car. As far as getting tired of it, this car won't be going anywhere. I grew up in a family with several 240's in it and looked for quite awhile before finding the one that I bought. The car is paid for and I have NO intention of selling it. Ever.

MoCounselor · Jun 25, 2015

So, wheel happenings have been afoot over the past two weeks.

I picked up these back on the 12th:

16x7.5", 5x120 with spacers. Plans were to refinish them and put them on the 245 with 205/50's. Tires were ordered and showed up today. However, something else happened today as well:

A full set of Trans Am gta wheels with spacers, which have been my first choice wheel ever since following Rogue Status' build. They need refinished, which I'll be starting shortly, but I am EXTREMELY excited to have my 1st choice wheel for the wagon, FINALLY.

Borbet's will most likely be hanging around and eventually go on my Miata with spacers/adapters once it gets flared, as I think they possibly look better on it than on teh brick:

MoCounselor · Jun 25, 2015

OH, I'm still debating on the finish for the gta's, but I'm pondering going in the vein of the old Porsche Fuchs rsr wheels, or the modified Singer Porsche look, ala this:

amerbritcan · Jun 26, 2015

^yes to that. Also yes to borbets on the Miata. They look perfect.

red740t · Jun 26, 2015

I want to know more about the UFO in the background

brendon_ak · Jun 27, 2015

Just mount up some Fuchs, that's what I did.

MoCounselor · Jun 27, 2015

Brendon,

I've seen your build and LOVE the Fuchs on the car! Cool choice, and not very common at all on a Volvo!

-Ben

MoCounselor · Jun 27, 2015

Wheel refinishing started today on the car:

Supplies

What all four GTA wheels look like initially

Paint stripper doing it's thing

Better, but not quite there yet...

Oh, and as a side-bar, I'm baffled by how the original owner of the car that I got these wheels and spacers off of (not my buddy who I bought them from, but the guy he bought the car from,) didn't notice this. There are some scary people out there!!

brendon_ak · Jun 29, 2015

daaaaaaamn, how could you not notice that while torquing down the studs????

Wheels look good after initial strip, I like the black on the sides of the spokes but leaving the front bare.

MoCounselor · Jul 11, 2015

And the wheel refinishing marches on... Here are some pics of today's progress on the lip of the first one I'm tackling...

Before (had hit the lip with 100 grit to remove what I thought was clear coat, only to realize that they weren't cleared, just really, really dull and oxidized..)

After 320, 400, 600, and 800 grit (forgot to snap a few pics obviously)

After 1000 grit

After 1200 grit

After 1500 grit

After 2000 grit

A side-by-side of one that has been hit with the 100 grit versus the one in progress (still need to hit it with brown tripoli compound, white rouge, mothers aluminum, and then wax to protect it)

My 245 (An Intro, of Sorts...)

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