1987 244 Volvo revival

[volvolugnut]

I have owned this white with blue cloth interior 244 since about 1997. It has sat unused for several years after a fuel tank gunk issue. My wife really likes this car and has pressured me to get it running again and rejoin the available fleet.
Last fall I got the cleaned up fuel tank installed. The main fuel pump was bad and replaced.
I had borrowed the fuel pressure regulator for my 1983 245 and had to swap them again.
Last fall, I found the fuel injectors were clogged up and tried to clean them. I was making some progress cleaning but got renewed urging to get the car running.
I ordered remanufactured injectors from FCP Euro at a good price. They have good ratings from other buyers.
I added some Marvel Mystery oil to each cylinder through the injector holes. I thought it would help any stuck rings.
The battery from my truck got a fresh charge and installed in the 244.
Yesterday I installed the injectors and after some fumbling around got fuel to the fuel header at the engine.
A timing light confirmed the coil is firing consistently now. It did not have consistent firing at first attempts.
I removed and cleaned the spark plugs which were oily and this made consistent firing.
I also checked the ground for the in tank fuel pump and the power connections. I suspected the fuel pump replay may not be functional and tried a jumper wire. These changes gave me fuel flow at the loosened fuel rail.
At this point I got ignition for a few seconds during several start attempts. But each time it would stall and not continue running.
The afternoon was gone and I will continue efforts when it warms again in a few days.
volvolugnut

[BlackBart]

Keep at it, you're close!

(It was -11F here this morning - Betty the Volvo won't start)

[volvolugnut]

29 F degrees warmer here than there this morning with some sleet. Friday MAY be the next day for outdoor Volvo work here.
volvolugnut

[volvolugnut]

I was able to work on the 240 some today. While installing my make shift fuel pressure gauge, I found I had missed one of the fuel injector ground wires to the fuel rail mount. I also cleaned the oily spark plugs again. After reassembly, fuel pressure reached 34-36 PSI. A few more cranks and IT STARTED RUNNING! Pretty smooth. No strange noises or behavior. No warning lights (except for the bulb failure because a brake light holder is removed). The radio make a loud crackle whenever the volume knob is turned. And the speedometer jumps around when placed in gear.
Overall a greatly successful day.
volvolugnut

[volvolugnut]

Another nice weather day for Volvo revival. I removed the fuel pressure gauge, and started the car to warm up. Engine started immediately. I replaced the brake light bulb holder and added a new 1057 bulb. No more bulb out warning light. I tried to replace the wiper blades, but found none of my stash of blades fit. I drained oil and replaced the filter. I cleaned most of the oily crud from the engine splash pan while it was off. I tightened the fuel return hose, but I think I will need to trim the end of the hose to fully stop the leak at that point. The fuel pump relay was remounted in it's place above the passenger footwell and the cover panel replaced.
I found the record note book for this car and found a note that this car had the engine replaced at about 150K with used engine of 90K. Car was purchased in Florida in fall of 1986. By 1991 it was in Oklahoma. Current mileage about 216K.
volvolugnut

[volvolugnut]

A couple more afternoon repair efforts completed. I swapped the wiper arm and blades from my 1983 245 to the 244. They are not great, but they won't scratch the windshield. I cut the end off the fuel return line and it appears to have stopped leaking. I added power steering and auto trans fluid. I got the tag and insurance up to date for less than $100.
The car now starts and runs well and I have driven it a couple miles. There seems to be noise at the rear axle - maybe bad shocks? The tires are about legal drinking age so will need attention.
This is not a modern car with smooth, quiet operation. But it is responsive and can turn on a dime.
volvolugnut

[BlackBart]

We really liked our 245. It was the intercooled turbo so fairly quick for a 240. We'd have kept it except an elderly gent with creeping dementia plowed into it at the curb in front of our house and then drove away somehow with fluids dumping out of his car. He, his son, and the Police knocked on our door a couple of hours later after they connected the dots.

[volvolugnut]

We really liked our 245. It was the intercooled turbo so fairly quick for a 240. We'd have kept it except an elderly gent with creeping dementia plowed into it at the curb in front of our house and then drove away somehow with fluids dumping out of his car. He, his son, and the Police knocked on our door a couple of hours later after they connected the dots.

Ouch.
volvolugnut

[volvolugnut]

Yesterday I drove the 244 about 10 miles. A new problem showed up - the turn signals flash in the dash in double time. Generally this means a bulb is out. I have swapped the front tires but not the rear tires. I need to get the rear tires swapped before I have a blow out. I got a spare in the car now, but it is also old. I need to flush all the brake lines. I am sure the brake fluid can't be good.
Yesterday I also had a double vision. Another white 244 drove up my drive. It was a local guy that I met years ago when I bought his son's 242 Volvo. He was looking for parts. He told a sad tale of his son's V70 manual that was recently totaled by a truck in OKC.
volvolugnut

[WGFP]

We found the bulbs spec'd in the catalog at local shop were too high voltage and caused the spastic blinking. We ordered a set of proper bulbs from ipd and that fixed it.