Today, my Volvo became more powerful.

"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
11/14/2013 at 00:09 • Filed to: Volvositelock

For those of you that don't know, I have a 1969 Volvo 144, and a couple days ago I actually learned it is in fact a 144S, but the fender badges had been removed at some point, probably when it was converted to single carb…..anyways. When I bought the car, it was running a single SU HS6. It was gutless. To quote someone else's comment, it couldn't even get out of its own way. I sourced an IPD Weber manifold, that handily came with a very battered looking 32/36 DGV Weber, they were practically given to me by the Volvo shop I take my car to, as they just found them in a box somewhere, a relic of when 140s were more common. (Fun fact, they also put brand new OEM exhaust on my car, it had been in a box in storage for over 30 years) Simultaneously, my friends affluent father learned I had this car, and he has an interest in old cars……he has a Triumph TR3, an Austin 7 Supercharged, and a Lotus 7, that was his first car. He'd bought a brand new 28/36 DCOE Weber to try out on the Lotus, and didn't like it, so he lent it to me to use in lieu of the questionable one I got with the manifold. I ran this for a while, and my car worked well enough, although it was always pretty gutless, never really revved past 3K, topped out around 100km/h, I thought it was just an old motor, Today, I put the old Weber on. Then my more mechanically-inclined friend came over and revved it higher than I had the balls to. I shit you not, my little old Volvo spat flames, it was running that rich. Black smoke everywhere. Long story short, we tuned it as well as we could with the improperly jetted carb, and it now happily revs upwards of 5K! A 45 year old pushrod fully iron tractor motor. Damn thing just wants to keep going, I love it.

If she isn't sold this weekend, i shall be back to let you know how hard it is to rebuild a pair of SU HIF6s that have been stagnant for 20 years….and see how she runs with those.

DISCUSSION (10)

Biostar01 > gmctavish needs more space
11/14/2013 at 00:17

Yay! Old manual Volvo with no airbag. But old Volvo!

Good job. Keep us posted with any further updates.

gmctavish needs more space > Biostar01
11/14/2013 at 00:21

Very manual, everything but the brakes are. But god I love the steering wheel in all its horn-ringed two-spokeness. Thanks, and I will! Unfortunately the next update may be a new car…As much as I love this car, it simply isn't affordable to go to school, non-O/D transmissions, 3k lbs and >90hp does not make for great mpg…..But if I get anything else done I'll be sure to post about her again

oldirtybootz > gmctavish needs more space
11/14/2013 at 00:24

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/697351…

Very cool old Volvo. I love that front end.

gmctavish needs more space > oldirtybootz
11/14/2013 at 00:30

Exactly how I felt, standing in the rain after we wrestled with it for half an hour.

Yeah I love the grille, my favourite of the three 140 fascias

Hoccy > gmctavish needs more space
11/14/2013 at 01:31

Yeah, those B20's are actually quite revvy. Good to hear that it runs better now that it's properly tuned. It's very tempting to put double carburetors on mine, but I'm not sure if it's going to be worth it since it runs rather good now..

Also, I want your front end.

gmctavish needs more space > Hoccy
11/14/2013 at 05:07

I'm putting on dual carbs since I'd like to have it back to stock, and it came with dual SUs. But yeah, I'm happy to find out it is indeed revvy.

I actually have two more grilles like that..albeit in need of paint, and one of a badge I believe. Oh and another pair of headlight surrounds, and a foglight grille….a bit battered, and missing a foglight trim ring, but it is a foglight grille...

505Turbeaux > gmctavish needs more space
11/14/2013 at 08:16

All sorts of love for that whip

Brewman15 > gmctavish needs more space
11/14/2013 at 08:38

Hey!

Don't be making fun of that old iron tractor engine, because 24 years later they stuck it in my 945...but with a turbo!

Very cool Volvos. I've always loved the 140 series and still keep my eyes out for a nice 142 or 145.

gmctavish needs more space > 505Turbeaux
11/15/2013 at 04:26

Thanks! It's gonna be a hard day when I sell her, I love it to death

505Turbeaux > gmctavish needs more space
11/15/2013 at 07:19

wrong coast, wrong country or I would be all over it!