Rehabilitating the T5M

[abscate]

Let me see if I’ve got an old 98 core worth rebuilding

[FireFox31]

Thanks, but that shouldn't be necessary. I might get mine done if I can find a good rebuilder in my area.

[454cid]

... I'll be doing the PCV, so I'll send the intake manifold to a machine shop for soaking, sandblasting, and painting.

Is the intake manifold that corroded? Both mine looked pretty good after pressure washing in car. Lots of people have "sand" blasted intake manifolds, but I'd rather not take the risk on a manifold that isn't in bad shape. I wouldn't want to take the risk of embedded blasting media making it's way into the engine.

[abscate]

I’ve got a gem of an old guy here in Albany who does My rebuilds.

Can you share his name with me? Perhaps he'd accept mine by mail. I would have to install a temporary alternator while mine is being rebuilt, doing the job twice, because I can't leave it at the workshop for that long.

The more sensible approach is that I try a local rebuilder and request 1-2 day turn around. While doing the alternator, I'll be doing the PCV, so I'll send the intake manifold to a machine shop for soaking, sandblasting, and painting. I'm going to try and schedule to request 1-2 day turn around. I can leave the car in the public workspace for that long, I hope.

That, or I install the Bosch and find a junkyard unit to return as a core. Would be a shame if the junkyard one worked but no sense installing an old part when the job is this hard.

Link to Sam at Xcel Auto Electric, Schenectady NY

viewtopic.php?t=101346

[foggydogg]

The alternators on these cars are a fairly mature design, and seem to be pretty bullet proof. If your local PNP has one - especially on a car that has already given up its radiator/fan assmbl'y and falls easily to hand - throw a used one on it, rebuild your core at your leisure, and put some miles on the car for the smiles.

[FireFox31]

The alternator in my 20-year 275k mile V70 lasted that entire time with no actual problems, only my suspicions that it was weak. This 178k mile alternator being dead already surprises me. I'll work something out.

I got my current 2000 V70 air intake cleaned because its inside was coated with oil. The PCV system was working and only slightly choked but somehow oil coated the inside. The machine shop soaked it in degreaser then did their standard practice of blasting and painting it. It looked amazing when complete. Yet... it's falling off the engine block for reasons unknown so hopefully they didn't mess it up. But that's a story for another thread. I'll see how oily the T5M one is when I take it off but want a cleaning appointment set up in case I need it.

[454cid]

I got my current 2000 V70 air intake cleaned because its inside was coated with oil.

That's pretty standard for engines with PCV systems, as far as I know. The intake on my truck is also coated. As long as openings/ports/passages are not blocked, it should not hurt anything. The subject is brought up every so often on the truck forum, I'm on.

The PCV system was working and only slightly choked but somehow oil coated the inside. The machine shop soaked it in degreaser then did their standard practice of blasting and painting it. It looked amazing when complete.

It would be interesting to know what they use. I wouldn't think a machine shop would do anything more than a quick rattle can paint job.

Yet... it's falling off the engine block for reasons unknown so hopefully they didn't mess it up.

That is about what I'd expect for a machine shop paint job, unfortunately.

Have you considered vapor blasting? If your intake is genuinely corroded, you may be able to get close to what Volvo did originally. It would not be exact, but it would look pretty good, and since it's not a coating it would not peel.

[volvolugnut]

While servicing my 2001 T5 PVC system, I cleaned the outside only of the intake manifold using a brass brush and baking soda. It was not really corroded but was discolored. It looks much better now.
volvolugnut

[FireFox31]

I just got a real holiday treat. The previous owner of the T5M called me! Shortly after buying the car, I found his address and wrote him a letter saying that his well-loved car was in good hands and will get fully restored. I invited him to contact me so I could learn more about the car and his time with it. Sure enough, he got in touch.

Things I learned:
He took great care of the car, always having the dealership or a specialist promptly fix problems.
The car was garaged kept for the first 2/3rds of its life.
He never ran the car on the track but gave it tasteful performance upgrades to enjoy it.
He replaced the engine computer with one from TME which came with the exhaust, increasing boost from 10 lbs to 15 lbs, adding 50 HP and improving gas mileage.
He doesn't really have service records but remembered replacing the A/C condenser, ABS computer, vacuum lines, clutch cable bracing, etc.
He had the dealership rebuild the transmission (synchros, etc) at 90k mi and replace the flywheel at 145k mi.
He will give me parts including a performance cat, front slotted rotors, 2 sets of wheels/tires, a cargo cover, and a trunk mat.

It was great to talk to him, passing the torch from his long ownership to me. I'm excited to get the car to stage zero so I can test out these performance modifications. I'll clean up my plan for the rehabilitation work, finish order the parts, then get started.

[abscate]

It’s a Christmas gift that someone so careful got the score of the decade at auction!