I guess I’m going to call him “Leo”

Post by **foggydogg** » 18 Jul 2023, 18:31

Interesting there ended up being a pushrod problem once you got it running. When I showed you the trick using the starter motor in first gear to load it on the tow dolly it seemed to have good compression in all four holes, but your feeling about a stuck valve seems reasonable.
Glad you're making good progress.

Post by **DonnVa** » 18 Jul 2023, 20:10

foggydogg wrote: ↑18 Jul 2023, 18:31 Interesting there ended up being a pushrod problem once you got it running. When I showed you the trick using the starter motor in first gear to load it on the tow dolly it seemed to have good compression in all four holes, but your feeling about a stuck valve seems reasonable.
Glad you're making good progress.

The intake and the valves including the inside of the valve guides were coated with a black goo. It may not have been goo before I started running it, but it turned to goo then solidified. The intake valve on #3 was stuck solid in its guide and dislodged its rod from the rocker and the rod bent slightly. None of the valve stem seals had springs in the top groove of them. Anyway, it was no big deal and I had fun doing it. I made the decision to replace all the rods instead of just one. New valve stem seals, gaskets, head bolts and a whole lot of cleaning. I got to know the engine vey well and it’s running very smooth right now. It wasn’t expensive, like $275 or so. No complaints from me. I’ve been doing a lot of little things lately. Engine oil and transmission oil changed X2, diff fluid changed, grease fittings greased and etc.. I’ve taken it out on a few 10 mile + drives shaken things down. Steering is tight and the brakes are rock solid now.

Post by **foggydogg** » 19 Jul 2023, 06:22

Nicely done. Leo did the engine decades ago, so it was likely due for valve stem seals for old age anyway. As I suggested before, I would stick with stock valve clearances; I used .016 and .018 on my 1800.
As I mentioned, I had put a fresh gasket on the diff. cover and changed the gear grease when I got it; I don't remember if I ever changed the oil in the transmission, so good move there. I never torqued the rear wheels; I'm sure you checked that already.
It looks like you made the charging wire a little more tidy, it was on my list...
The stinking corn oil in our gas doesn't do old cars any favors; even though I used Stabil, the poor thing still sat for a couple years, and there aren't any gas stations around here that sell UnCorn fuel.
I don't recall if the the top of the gas tank can be accessed through the trunk to deal with the pickup issue.
When I figured out the mirror was electric, I actually laughed out loud. Old Leo was quite the character.

Post by **foggydogg** » 19 Jul 2023, 06:25

Brewery is gone, and the car is on a new adventure. Smooth sailing, Don.

: 122 at 16 mile.jpg (171.44 KiB) Viewed 675 times

Post by **DonnVa** » 19 Jul 2023, 19:52

foggydogg wrote: ↑19 Jul 2023, 06:22 Nicely done. Leo did the engine decades ago, so it was likely due for valve stem seals for old age anyway. As I suggested before, I would stick with stock valve clearances; I used .016 and .018 on my 1800.
As I mentioned, I had put a fresh gasket on the diff. cover and changed the gear grease when I got it; I don't remember if I ever changed the oil in the transmission, so good move there. I never torqued the rear wheels; I'm sure you checked that already.
It looks like you made the charging wire a little more tidy, it was on my list...
The stinking corn oil in our gas doesn't do old cars any favors; even though I used Stabil, the poor thing still sat for a couple years, and there aren't any gas stations around here that sell UnCorn fuel.
I don't recall if the the top of the gas tank can be accessed through the trunk to deal with the pickup issue.
When I figured out the mirror was electric, I actually laughed out loud. Old Leo was quite the character.

Yeah, it took me a week or two to find out that the mirror was powered. I’m sure I’ll find a few more Easter eggs.

I replaced the tie rod ends and the front shocks this evening and went out for a drive. I was going to do the rear shocks, but it’s so hot in the garage.

Post by **DonnVa** » 28 Jul 2023, 05:44

I had a clicking noise coming from the differential. I took apart the diff carrier assembly and noticed that the thrust washers for the side gears (axle gears) were warped. I replaced those thrust washers and the ones for the smaller planetary gears, along with the larger pivot pin. I spider gears are still a little loose from wear, but now move smoothly without clicking. Those parts are basically the only ones you can get anymore.

I just started working on dyeing the interior. It’s in decent shape and see no need in spending 1600 bucks to replace it when there are other things of need I could throw money at. Anyway, I could not get a Volvo red dye so I had to go with the closest I could find, which is a Jaguar Mars Red. I’ve only started on the front seats and it’s surprisingly close in color.

Post by **scot850** » 28 Jul 2023, 19:29

Give it a couple of years and you may find the colors match even better! Looks good.

Neil.

Post by **DonnVa** » 01 Aug 2023, 05:25

I bought enough dye to do the whole car. I’ve done the rear seat now. I took the door cards off to dye them and re-do the cards themselves. I found Leo’s signature and date that I’m assuming is when he made new door panels.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 01 Aug 2023, 13:18

I made some door cards like this for one of my older 240 Volvos. I used 1/8 inch Masonite sheet and carefully cut the profile and all the holes. The plastic sheet on the inside needs to be without holes to keep the card dry.
volvolugnut

Post by **BlackBart** » 01 Aug 2023, 13:36

Could you coat the replacement board with a clear sealer both sides to prevent it from getting wet?

I guess I’m going to call him “Leo”

Re: I guess I’m going to call him “Leo”