Westu37's 2004 XC70 build thread......

westu37 · Post by **westu37** » 11 Oct 2020, 20:11

I pulled the trigger and bought my first Volvo. I got myself a 2004 XC70 with a service history of Volvo dealer maintenance to 108k miles including routine oil changes, trans service and t-belt done at 104k. I got it for a fair price and drove it home 10/10/20. I'm a Mechanic by trade so working on the car is no problem for me. I am coming from the standpoint of being a wagon aficionado. I had a 2005 Subaru Outback XT with a 5 speed manual. I wound up buying that car with a blown turbo for wholesale price from a local dealer. New WRX turbo and a custom tune made it a nice sleeper. I wound up lowering that car and going for a more sport wagon setup. I eventually sold that wagon when I had an opportunity to get a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T. Then a few years later I got the itch to get a classic muscle car. I stumbled upon a nice 1967 Ford Galaxie wagon with a BBF 390c.i. engne, auto trans, power steering, power brakes, and AC. So I sold the Challenger to get the wagon. Well, a 50 year old car is a bit of a challenge to use as a daily driver in the Northeast. Now to find a winter beater. I had a budget of a grand, and fount a 1986 Chevy Chevette. (the wagon has working AC but it was rigged to run AC, sacrificing the heat controls) The Chevette had heat, but no AC, manual brakes, manual steering etc. I wound up selling that car a couple of months ago to an enthusiast that will swap out the 70hp 1.6L engine for a small block Chevy engine/drivetrain. I doubled my money for that car and it was the basis for finding a better winter/daily driver. I started looking for another wagon, starting with the Subaru's again, but the draw to the old XT I had was out of a budget of $5k or less and under 150k miles. I've been eyeing the Volvo wagons for a while, so I started using forums like this to do research. After learning about the 5 cyl. engines (and the sound with a cat-back exhaust) I was convinced this was the car to look for. That is the back story to my search for a P2 XC70.

After a check over on a lift and a full scan with an Autel (borrowed from work), It had no codes, drove good, and looked clean underneath.During my road test the fuel level was at 1/8 of a tank. After sighning the paperwork and driving 40 minutes on my 2 hour ride home, I smelled fuel. At the time I had a poorly maintained 02 Ford Explorer in front of me. Soon after they turned off, the smell seemed to go away. But then I smelled it again after the car sat a little at home. Turns out the recall was not done on the fuel pump because it is a PA vehicle. So I pulled the back seats out. Yup wet at the top of the pump assembly. I have the car for less than 24 hours and already working on it. But hey thats car ownership.

So I'm starting this thread as a record of my ownership and as my progression of my modifications/customizing it to my taste. The first order of business is to replace the leaky fuel pump.

Post by **abscate** » 12 Oct 2020, 05:46

Is that Manville NJ?

The dealers there are pretty good to work with. You might get help from them and get recall done for free, worth looking into unless fuel pumps are your thing.

One of our other forum Members is doing exactly that, so stay tuned

Post by **Blacklab467** » 12 Oct 2020, 08:29

That looks like a pretty clean wagon, nice find! I don't know if it would be necessary to replace the fuel pump, probably just the large o-rings need replacing and cleaning out that area. It's a bit of a nasty job getting all the dirt/ road salt/ and whatever else is sitting on top of the fuel tank without getting it into the tank but its doable.

Post by **jonesg** » 12 Oct 2020, 11:45

Usually the white plastic plate cracks, I potted mine with JB weld 3 years ago, problem hasn't returned.

Post by **E Showell** » 12 Oct 2020, 17:27

I've got the special lock ring tool if I don't return it because I don't need it.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 12 Oct 2020, 18:10

westu37 wrote: ↑11 Oct 2020, 20:11

That is also a good looking 60's Ford. Galaxie?
volvolugnut

Post by **abscate** » 12 Oct 2020, 18:26

Milky Way. I think

westu37 · Post by **westu37** » 12 Oct 2020, 19:49

abscate wrote: ↑12 Oct 2020, 05:46 Is that Manville NJ?

The dealers there are pretty good to work with. You might get help from them and get recall done for free, worth looking into unless fuel pumps are your thing.

One of our other forum Members is doing exactly that, so stay tuned

Yes Manville, NJ. I got the car out in PA though from an independent dealer. As-is. To me I'd rather just do the pump. Then it's done, with new o-rings and peace of mind. (BTW the pump kit I got has the tool for the lockring coming with it)

westu37 · Post by **westu37** » 12 Oct 2020, 19:54

volvolugnut wrote: ↑12 Oct 2020, 18:10
westu37 wrote: ↑11 Oct 2020, 20:11
That is also a good looking 60's Ford. Galaxie?
volvolugnut

1967 Galaxie Country sedan 390 with a C6 and power brakes/steering plus AC. I had the idea I can mange it as a daily driver, but some of the body panels are starting to rust through, so no more winter driving until I can get it fixed. (rust in the roof near the drip-rails)

westu37 · Post by **westu37** » 12 Oct 2020, 19:58

abscate wrote: ↑12 Oct 2020, 18:26 Milky Way. I think

Because of the one insurance commercial, My wife and I call her Beige Betty

(at least until I rebuild the engine: from 390 to 445 stroker with a goal of 500+HP)