TurboBrick Adventures, Part 4: I am David Tracy

"promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
10/09/2018 at 12:00 • Filed to: turbobrick, volvo, 240, 245, turbo, wagon

For a long time I’ve rolled my eyes at David Tracy’s heaps and his various misadventures.

Until I became that guy.

I decided to be Mr. Proactive and go change out the Volvo’s oil. As I waited for the car to cool down on the lift, I noticed a rather glaring patch of rust.

Yes, that’s carpet. No I didn’t check for this because I grew up in California, a state where nearly every car comes apart decades later with zero fuss. I guess some rust is to be expected since this car was used exclusively to go to the beach and all the great SoCal surf spots. It’s still tight as a drum, so I think years of wet bags might have done this?

This isn’t the death knell for this car yet. I know you Midwesterners consider this an average used car, so I’m going to go ahead and use this as a chance to figure out welding. Harbor Freight’s got a killer deal on a flux core welder, so I guess I have all that I need... Time to start piecing together parts. I might just wait for the community college course just so I know I’m doing this right.

Now, what can kill this car is failing the smog. I’ve been giving it an Italian tune up, some Marvel Mystery Oil, and just plain driving it around. It smells cleaner than my Integra GS-R and my dad’s ‘85 Toyota 4x4, both of which passed smog with flying colors.

Yes, it makes boost. Yes, it’s hilarious to hear the turbo spooling up and watch the world around you start to blur.

Do I regret it? Not yet. Let’s find out in two weeks.

DISCUSSION (17)

Tristan > promoted by the color red
10/09/2018 at 12:11

Dude, that's a rusted out POS. I'll come take it off your hands.

Sovande > promoted by the color red
10/09/2018 at 12:11

Glad it’s working out for you! That area is pretty typical for rust in those cars. If you are confident in the cutting and patching process you could easily fix it yourself, unless it’s too big. The other option might be cut out the rust and drop in a patch from the inside using panel adhesive and then rust proof everything. Welding it would not be overly tough, it will just take more time and effort. I like the community college course idea. I wish I had the time to do one.

Have fun!

CompactLuxuryFan > promoted by the color red
10/09/2018 at 12:12

Well, it must have passed smog within the last 90 days, so you should have couple of years there.

promoted by the color red > CompactLuxuryFan
10/09/2018 at 12:15

It didn’t, the guy wasn’t a car guy at all. He paid his mechanic to get it up to spec which meant he threw on a new California-spec cat and the full IPD tune up kit, which is a nice bonus. That’s a good few hundred bucks of work.

Sold it to me as a “parts car” because he didn’t want to deal with getting it smogged...for a $1900 car I can’t say I’m really mad.

promoted by the color red > Sovande
10/09/2018 at 12:20

I think I can do it, it looks like two rectangular patch panels will do the job. Welding is a bit of an unknown since I’ve only tried my hand at it a few times but I have been watching YouTube videos. Looks like something I could do.

I was a little scared of doing body work until I realized I’ve been doing it on a vintage airframe.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > promoted by the color red
10/09/2018 at 12:23

just rivet on a licence plate with some black RVT in their for good measure.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > promoted by the color red
10/09/2018 at 12:27

It’s fine leave it alone!!!

Sovande > promoted by the color red
10/09/2018 at 12:30

Patching should be pretty straight forward. Just a whole bunch of tack welds, really.

facw > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/09/2018 at 12:31

Rivets? They make glue for a reason you know...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > facw
10/09/2018 at 12:35

but rivets look cool.

CompactLuxuryFan > promoted by the color red
10/09/2018 at 13:35

Ah, was not aware of that option. What does that entail as far as title and registration?

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Tristan
10/09/2018 at 15:46

No, I call dibs. I’m probably closer, anyway and need a wagon to drag my 242 GT from SF to KC...

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > promoted by the color red
10/09/2018 at 15:49

K-Jet is witchcraft, as a warning...

If you want it to actually be reliable, seriously consider switching from K-Jet to a more modern EFI setup . Lots of documentation exists on how to Megasquirt these things. 90+ 740s/940s have a better exhaust manifold design, too... Isuzu NPR intercooler and a decent cam should put you up near the high-100s/low 200s on power.

promoted by the color red > CompactLuxuryFan
10/09/2018 at 16:05

It’s a roundabout way of saying I’ll end up registering it as a PNO if I can’t get the smog sorted. Basically a “mechanic’s special” that just happens to be smog’d.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > promoted by the color red
10/27/2018 at 21:10

I’d cut out the rusty part, then put down a chunk of aluminum with a big bead of silicone and some pop rivets. Before the rainy season.

Are you in California still?

promoted by the color red > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/27/2018 at 23:12

Yeah, still in California, but in the high desert-side.

I’m looking to start welding patch panels some time next month.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > promoted by the color red
10/27/2018 at 23:13

Further rust should not be a problem then.