Sunday funday update
New brake pads are finally installed. New hub is installed. New quick struts installed. Brake lines not installed. Nor the thermostat.
Oh and I finally installed my Snabb short shifter.
Looks great but more importantly the car shifts like a manual should. Crisp and precise. No more vaguely hunting for gears. It stays in place too which is a big plus. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MODIFICATION.
Another cool this is I found out first hand that Volvo really did prewire every car for every option. Here's the underside of my center console
I looked under my seats and they are all wired up as well. I wonder if I could just pop in the switches and have front and rear heated seats...
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Herman and Operation 30MPG
- callahanoffroad
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:25 pm
- Year and Model: 1995 850
- Location: St. Louis Missouri
- Has thanked: 16 times
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Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
Author, Chef, and Shade Tree Mechanic
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
- ZionXIX
- Posts: 687
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- Year and Model: 1996 850 Turbo S/W
- Location: Texas
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Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
I wish my turbo was wired for a passenger power seat. I pulled carpet, opened the wiring loom....nothing. Thought about wiring it to the seat heater wires.
- callahanoffroad
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:25 pm
- Year and Model: 1995 850
- Location: St. Louis Missouri
- Has thanked: 16 times
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Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
A power passenger seat would be really nice!
Author, Chef, and Shade Tree Mechanic
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
- callahanoffroad
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:25 pm
- Year and Model: 1995 850
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- Has thanked: 16 times
- Been thanked: 44 times
Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
Few things have happened over the last month. New brakes, new radiator fan, and new brake lines.
Also with my new gig at Instacart there's been a lot of this happening:
Thinking I might want to invest in some overload springs this fall!
My orders for groceries take up my entire car. I have to either get a larger car or figure out a better way to use the vertical space, like shelving.
I'll be servicing the PCV system again this fall, so I have that to look forward to.
Also with my new gig at Instacart there's been a lot of this happening:
Thinking I might want to invest in some overload springs this fall!

My orders for groceries take up my entire car. I have to either get a larger car or figure out a better way to use the vertical space, like shelving.
I'll be servicing the PCV system again this fall, so I have that to look forward to.

Author, Chef, and Shade Tree Mechanic
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
- greg850r
- Posts: 275
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Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
If you have not cut anything yet, don't. I've had this exact problem plenty of times and heat has never failed to solve it. I put the brass tip on my torch as the cutting tip is too much. Heat on the female part. It will melt the rubber line in short order, but if you have line wrenches it should come loose before the fittings ever glow. Your brake fluid will be trash of course, but a complete fluid replacement is never a bad idea on a car this old.callahanoffroad wrote: ↑Mon Jul 01, 2019 8:34 pm
I also replaced the brake pads while I was in there and attempted to replace the brake lines but the brake lines are seized at the connection between the flexible hose and the hard line. Looks like I'll have to cut the hard lines and reflange them with some fresh nuts. I will be honest I hate making flanges. I failed a few times as a kid and they still make me nervous. Time to read up on this.![]()
05 Cross Country wagon
99 C70 Convertible
96 850R wagon
96 850T wagon
96 850 GLT 5spd N/A sedan
97 850R 5spd sedan
66 GTO 421SD 4spd
67 GTO 455 T400
02 Powerstroke 4x4
85 Yota 4x4
24' 454 Challenger
07 Softail Custom
02 Sportster Custom
Parts cars not included
99 C70 Convertible
96 850R wagon
96 850T wagon
96 850 GLT 5spd N/A sedan
97 850R 5spd sedan
66 GTO 421SD 4spd
67 GTO 455 T400
02 Powerstroke 4x4
85 Yota 4x4
24' 454 Challenger
07 Softail Custom
02 Sportster Custom
Parts cars not included
- callahanoffroad
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:25 pm
- Year and Model: 1995 850
- Location: St. Louis Missouri
- Has thanked: 16 times
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Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
Thanks for the tip Greg!greg850r wrote: ↑Mon Aug 05, 2019 4:54 amIf you have not cut anything yet, don't. I've had this exact problem plenty of times and heat has never failed to solve it. I put the brass tip on my torch as the cutting tip is too much. Heat on the female part. It will melt the rubber line in short order, but if you have line wrenches it should come loose before the fittings ever glow. Your brake fluid will be trash of course, but a complete fluid replacement is never a bad idea on a car this old.callahanoffroad wrote: ↑Mon Jul 01, 2019 8:34 pm
I also replaced the brake pads while I was in there and attempted to replace the brake lines but the brake lines are seized at the connection between the flexible hose and the hard line. Looks like I'll have to cut the hard lines and reflange them with some fresh nuts. I will be honest I hate making flanges. I failed a few times as a kid and they still make me nervous. Time to read up on this.![]()
And thanks again for the fan.

If you ever need to unload one of those sweet turbos let me know

Author, Chef, and Shade Tree Mechanic
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
- callahanoffroad
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:25 pm
- Year and Model: 1995 850
- Location: St. Louis Missouri
- Has thanked: 16 times
- Been thanked: 44 times
Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG

Author, Chef, and Shade Tree Mechanic
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
- abscate
- MVS Moderator
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Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
Let’s get you some IPD HD springs
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 BMW
Link to Maintenance record thread
Link To Volvo Glossary
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 BMW
Link to Maintenance record thread
Link To Volvo Glossary
-
- Posts: 341
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Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
What a great thread. I just found it this morning and spent most of it ignoring the kids while I caught up on The Herman Chronicles.
Abscate, have you tried the Lesjöfors HD springs? I put them on the Silver Bullet (‘00 V70 n/a MT) and absolutely love them. When I return the engine bar, we should swap rides to compare, though I do love that iPD blue.
Abscate, have you tried the Lesjöfors HD springs? I put them on the Silver Bullet (‘00 V70 n/a MT) and absolutely love them. When I return the engine bar, we should swap rides to compare, though I do love that iPD blue.

2004 XC90 AWD
2000 V70, base, MT, 'The Silver Bullet'
1998 V70, base, AT, 'Blue Steel'
1998 V70 T5, AT, project
1999 V70 XC AWD, AT (RIP)
1998 S70 T5, AT (RIP)
2000 V70, base, MT, 'The Silver Bullet'
1998 V70, base, AT, 'Blue Steel'
1998 V70 T5, AT, project
1999 V70 XC AWD, AT (RIP)
1998 S70 T5, AT (RIP)
- callahanoffroad
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:25 pm
- Year and Model: 1995 850
- Location: St. Louis Missouri
- Has thanked: 16 times
- Been thanked: 44 times
Re: Herman and Operation 30MPG
Quick end of summer update. Aside from putting too much weight in Herman lately, he's been running great. Almost to 240,000 already. Oil consumption is staying at 1qt per 1000 miles. No blue smoke during startup yet.
Went ahead and replaced my vacuum lines again as the Fuel Pressure Regulator's vacuum line went wonky. That's a strange feeling when driving. It's like the fuel pump was going out during hard acceleration. You'd start accelerating and then the power would cut out suddenly, and then come back. It was a very jerky experience. But, after replacing the swollen hose, the acceleration is back to normal consistent acceleration. Fuel mileage was affected as well. Lost about 1-2 mpg. Luckily I have an extra FPR if the one on the car now goes bad.
But aside from that funny little hiccup everything is going smoothly. Hoping to see at least 50,000 more miles!
Went ahead and replaced my vacuum lines again as the Fuel Pressure Regulator's vacuum line went wonky. That's a strange feeling when driving. It's like the fuel pump was going out during hard acceleration. You'd start accelerating and then the power would cut out suddenly, and then come back. It was a very jerky experience. But, after replacing the swollen hose, the acceleration is back to normal consistent acceleration. Fuel mileage was affected as well. Lost about 1-2 mpg. Luckily I have an extra FPR if the one on the car now goes bad.
But aside from that funny little hiccup everything is going smoothly. Hoping to see at least 50,000 more miles!
Author, Chef, and Shade Tree Mechanic
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393
1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000
Founder of: CookingForChemo.Org
Read my Silly Comic Book at: therealpizzabros.com/
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