buying an 87 760 GLE sedan

[shegarty]

Hi there folks - I'm in the market for a new volvo after toasting the top end of my 850. I already own a 90 740 wagon and came across a one owner 87 760 sedan (151k km) that I am contemplating for $1700cdn. I am not very familiar with the V6 of this era or any of the quirks of the 760 model. Does anyone have any recommendations aside from the usual regular maintenance schedules, visual inspection, test drive and maintenance records? Thanks in advance.

[jimmy57]

The B280 V6 that car is a solid motor. The front cover gasket and front crank seal can leak with age. Maybe that has been addressed already.

[precopster]

Not certain if this '87 year is multipoint injected as we had an '85 Jetronic which guzzled fuel and had various issues. Stay away from the non multipoint engine; if the distributor is at the front it's the later engine. Routine items such as water pump are a time consuming ordeal necessitating removal of the entire intake manifold.

These Douvrin engines were gutsy in the bottom rev ranges though lacking in top end power with around only 150hp. Take care with heater hoses drying out and cracking due to one of the exhaust banks generating much heat as it passes around the top of the bell housing to meet the other side. Transmission is standard AW-71 so very solid. Hope this helps.

[jimmy57]

1987 was the first year for the B280F with LH Jetronic fuel and EZK ignition. This much updated engine replaced the earlier CI B28 which ended for Volvo in 1986.

[shegarty]

Thanks for all the info folks. I'm still waiting on the seller to get back to me, hopefully it hasn't sold already