1974 144 w/B20e

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 20 Oct 2010, 13:21

I just picked up a '74 144 for really cheap to save it from being crushed. it has 250k on the body but only 20k on a rebuilt engine. it was a daily driver till a couple years ago when the owners daughter bought a new car so it didnt get driven much for about a year and then not at all for the next year. the mechanic said that bad fuel from sitting caused the fuel injector pump to get clogged thus it is not running. i haven't tried to start it cause i was going to try and drain the fuel system first and add new fuel but i have no idea how to rebuild an injectin pump or even if thats what it's called.rew

I'll take some pics and post them when i get started but i'll be on here alot seeking help from any and every vintage volvo owner! I dont my way around this car at all like i do the 850.

So any insight or ideas will be much apprecieated and respected!

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 27 Oct 2010, 12:49

Ok... so the engine is a B20f not an e. so it has the K-jet system which is pretty simple and completely mechanical so i dont have to deal with any timing issues. i have taken it all apart and cleaned it and everything seems to be functional. i took out the injectors and they were completely fouled with rust and crap. the gas was golden brown and smelled like varnish and had lots of rust in it. so i dropped the gas tank and it is definately rusted on the inside. its not rusty where the old gas was sitting but teh upper half of the tank is pretty bad. the fuel level sender was also pretty bad.

So I need some advice on where to start with the fuel tank cleaning. i've heard lots of ideas on how to de-rust a tank from shaking gravel or nuts and bolt around in the tank to buying a kit and sealing it off. what would be the best way to cheaply de-rust a tank enough to fill it with fuel and drive it?
Also does anyone know where i could find an in tank fuel pick-up line strainer or filter?

Thanks,
Andrew

mcole003 · Post by **mcole003** » 07 Feb 2011, 00:39

Hello,

If you haven't yet cleaned the gas tank, my suggestion is to use a combination of denatured alcohol and clean gravel (or nuts and bolts). Seal the tank openings and shake it up really vigorously before pouring it all back out. Make sure to pour it out into a disposable container because the varnish will be very sticky.

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 03 Mar 2011, 12:34

I got the gas tank all cleaned and sealed with POR 15 tank sealer. i can get it to turn over but not fire yet. I need to get a battery for it and probably new injectors. Haven't had much time to work on it lately. hopefully over spring break i can get it running. I will update you all when it's fired up!

thanks
andrew

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 04 Mar 2011, 23:40

I got a bee in my bonnet today and finished hooking up the warm up regulator and put a new battery in and just started cranking! after nothing for about 2 min it started to catch a little. i let it rest for awhile and then it started up! it really rough and wouldn't stay running without me pumping the gas but after about 2 minutes it smoothed out and idled nicely until i shut it down about 10 minutes later. I have a leaking line at the WU regulator but overall i'm really excited about this! This is my my first impulse buy and it wasn't running and the mechanics who had it couldn't get it going! I had to clean the whole fuel system but for a $150 car i'm elated that it's worth more than scrap!

Test Drive tomorrow after I fix the fuel leak and clean up the old fuel and oil on the engine.

thanks,
Andrew