242 GT register

[ogamer777]

1979 B23E BW55 VIN: 2428M1161875

Aussie car through and through. Rare auto conversion upon import to Australia. Slick top.

[bgpzfm142]

Picked up an orphan, hereby christened Rudie by me, but known by Mother Volvo as
2428 M 1 162392
Location (now) = Launceston, Tasmania (along with my other GT)



Rudie is missing some parts, and has other parts which no 242GT should ever have - like, a 160 head. And an LPG conversion. And 244 seats which don't fold back.



But see this ID plate, which has 242-844-5182-46 on it?



That bolded '8' indicates it's supposed to be a BW55 - which were fitted by Volvo Australia or dealers for those buyers who didn't like 3 pedals, and so they also modified the plate from a '2' to an '8' - but Rudie has 3 pedals and M46 semi-fitted! (Semi-fitted as in ... front tailshaft section missing)

Yes; Rudie is RUDE. And he needs to be fully un-rudened.

[John242Ti]

^Is the block still a B23, or did they just swap in a B21A or a B21E from the 244 that everything seems to have come from? Re: the 160 head, all North American GTs came with them, but then again, those cars had the lowly B21F. Lambda-Sond on US cars, nothing on Canadian cars.

[LC4CARL]

I think I need a GT...

[bgpzfm142]

Originally Posted by John242Ti

^Is the block still a B23, or did they just swap in a B21A or a B21E from the 244 that everything seems to have come from?

Good question. The engine number isn't really visible, so an answer will require more investigation. The PO has plugged the K-Jet injector holes, so the head has likely been sourced from a B21E.

AFAIK, OZ market GTs got the 405 head with high compression B23E K-Jet engines and an H cam.

[John242Ti]

Originally Posted by bgpzfm142

Good question. The engine number isn't really visible, so an answer will require more investigation. The PO has plugged the K-Jet injector holes, so the head has likely been sourced from a B21E.

AFAIK, OZ market GTs got the 405 head with high compression B23E K-Jet engines and an H cam.

Volvo did finally improve the engine part number engraving in 1983, when they started using a dot matrix, instead of punching thin numbers into the side of the block, just below the head.



Yup, Ethan's car is so equipped. Same engine as what you'd find in a Swedish version, just with a longer throttle cable to reach the pedal in its RHD location. The more desirable B23E, too, since forged internals, whereas the 1981-84 B23E had cast pistons, but at least a forged crank for most of its production. Had one of the Canadian 1981 engines in an '81 242DL for a while. So, K cam with Pulsair. I did delete the EGR parts, mainly since the exhaust manifold nuts were seized on the headpipe, so I had to reuse the Lambda-Sond B21F manifold on the 405 head.

[bgpzfm142]

Originally Posted by John242Ti

Volvo did finally improve the engine part number engraving in 1983, when they started using a dot matrix, instead of punching thin numbers into the side of the block, just below the head.

These numbers (which only became visible when the inlet manifold and the whole LPG carburetor mess was removed) are not dot matrix ones. I thought I'd have to look up the engine prefix in the parts book, but it wasn't necessary; under all that strange koolaid, there was something proudly embossed on the block:

Volvo B21

Oh dear.

An LPG conversion equates to about 10% loss of power, and this dude puts in smaller engine with less power than OE?

Seems poor ol' Rudie has ended up more molested than one of Cardinal Pell's alter boys. And I thought the LPG tank in the boot (sorry, trunk) was the only thing which didn't belong there....

Project Rudie should make for an interesting build thread eventually.

[John242Ti]

LS swap time, sounds like. Since it's already kinda bastardized, might as well join the LS crowd...

[bgpzfm142]

Originally Posted by John242Ti

LS swap time, sounds like. Since it's already kinda bastardized, might as well join the LS crowd...

Nah, the Commodore already has a factory-fitted LS 5.7*, so I'm already satisfied in the GM V8 department.

An 8V B230F+t with a 531, JVAB rods, CP pistons, and MS3 or similar may putter along nicely. I already have a spare L-block B230F with a 531 on it, plus a spare 90+, which need a home.

[John242Ti]

There you go... That would fit the bill.

-J

[Bready]

Originally Posted by Volvo0815

Finally was able to travel to sweden and photograph the lost GTs


1979 2.3L off the road since 2000, VIN: 2428M1147749








1979 2.3L VIN: 2428M1147766

To the right in the picture with the front facing the camera





1978 2.1L off the road since 1995, VIN: 2424L1135755






I have photographs from 2016 from a friend which shows the cars still in saveable condition, but now unfortunately they are all completely destroyed by vandals.


Btw
50: Volvo0815: 1978 VIN:2424L1 128289 - Sweden
is in Switzerland not sweden



-Volvo0815

Saddest post in history

[bgpzfm142]

Thought I'd ask here first -

Would there be much interest, from those here present, in getting some reproduction rear vent window seals made? I mean like the unobtanium 676923 and 676924 Tätningslists? I've just open a dialogue with a place that does custom car rubbers, and he may ask about numbers. I need 3 for my cars (the GT, the recently acquired Rudie, and the acquired-a-long-time-ago-but-still-to-start-a-project-thread 142).

[John242Ti]

^Probably. Even though mine is a turbo and not a GT, it'd be nice to have fresh quarter glass seals.

[Forg]

Hmmm, mine seem to be pretty decent … but depending on cost, I might stick my hand up for a set of spares. But it does depend on the emmachizzit.

You've got a W427?!

[bgpzfm142]

Originally Posted by Forg

You've got a W427?!

Nope, I made a mistake.

[alschnertz]

Geeze, that last one (...755) looks like it's been sitting at the bottom of a lake since 1995.

[Forg]

Originally Posted by bgpzfm142

Nope, I made a mistake.

Way to cold-spoon me!

[DWBF1]

Checking in! Just starting a full restoration on VC 24245 M 1 158416. You can follow the progress here.

[Flying Brick Performance]

So, I will post a pic over the week, but I’ve got a 1979 242GT in Perth, Australia.

Pretty sure it is 2428 M1 155558.

I also know of another 3 that another guy has here in Perth. If you want to have a look at his progress, follow Loud Projects on Instagram. His is a full ground up rebuild for a daily driver and advertising piece for his business.

Mine is getting the 16v, twin 45 DCOE Weber’s. Another ground up rebuild (just a little too much rust in horrible places), but will be built to do historic “Around the Houses” racing here in Western Australia. You can follow my build on Instagram (Flying Brick Performance) and if you Google Albany ‘Round the Houses, you’ll find a link to the racing.

I’ll see if I can get his VIN numbers and maybe some pics as well.

[GerwinVdw9]

All these lost GTs are quite hurtful to see.
Do you know what the story behind this car graveyard is?

[RichGT]

Once upon a time, blah blah rust, the end! Don’t let it be you, oh no.

[Moyni]

We saved this one from its forest grave near the Chesapeake bay for $400. Its currently on its way to Poland for a full restoration by its new owner. M46 car, was able to get a extra set of seats and a bunch of other goodies from a local guy to send with it.

[RichGT]

Need those headlight surrounds! Doesn't look bad. Warsaw 1, Chesapeake 0

[Moyni]

Originally Posted by RichGT

Need those headlight surrounds! Doesn't look bad. Warsaw 1, Chesapeake 0

Oh its bad. The entire underside of the car is straight up RUST. Not a little, but like "wow this car is barely safe to move" bad.

[RichGT]

so what was the point in shipping to Polska?