Volvo Progress...

"liquid_popcorn" (liquid-popcorn)
02/17/2014 at 20:39 • Filed to: volvo, parking lot mechanic

New headlights and surrounds installed! Some wiring on the left was missing insulation, so brights won't work until I redo that tomorrow. New chrome trim strip arrives tomorrow, and I'll be roadtripping to Salem NC Thursday morning to pick up a flathood, amber corners, and some other goodies.

Pretty excited! Next step is new exhaust (hoping to get one that I can keep for when I add the turbo, so that may take a while to get), tires/wheels so I can upgrade brakes and suspension, and some round fogs because I think they're cool as hell.

DISCUSSION (20)

Suby555 > liquid_popcorn
02/17/2014 at 20:41

Mmmm more pics please. Have more details of the build? I do love me some volvos

D > liquid_popcorn
02/17/2014 at 20:43

Ooh, a Volvo project. My kind of project.

oldestyoungn > liquid_popcorn
02/17/2014 at 20:47

That almost looks like Polestar paint.

Hasty > liquid_popcorn
02/17/2014 at 20:49

Grindintosecond > liquid_popcorn
02/17/2014 at 20:58

What year? 75? Looks like early corner lights.

liquid_popcorn > Grindintosecond
02/18/2014 at 08:45

1983, but as I'm just learning about Volvos I'm not sure how many parts are original. No major changes yet, just some basic maintenance, repaired leaky exhaust, brake pads etc. The front end swap from quad rectangles to single rounds was my first foray into the build, accelerated by hitting a deer. Hah.

Amber corners happening Thursday, along with a flathood.

liquid_popcorn > Suby555
02/18/2014 at 08:49

Haha, I'll take more Thursday after I swap the hood and clean it.

Haven't done much with it yet, just maintenance - planned build is below though.

New exhaust (leaks near muffler), probably 3in so it'll still work when I get a turbo.

Suspension - ipd lowering springs and sways, new struts/shocks since these are tired

Larger wheels to accomodate RX7 brake swap

Swap from AW70 to AW71 trans with accumulator mod

G80 (maybe? still researching) turbo + related manifold and such

New engine bits as I learn what I need for the redblock

Eventually, would like to get it repainted; clearcoat on the roof and trunk is terrible, and I need to remove one of the trim strips because it's busy looking. It'll need to be filled and painted to cover the holes for the clips.

I also want to redo the interior, partially because I suspect I may need new floor pans. That may happen later this summer, but go fast bits go in first.

Who knows what else I'll do, haha. Right now I'm mostly researching and scheduling times to talk to Volvo pros to figure out what's the best approach. Never built a car before, so I want to do it right.

Brewman15 > liquid_popcorn
02/18/2014 at 08:50

Looking good. Always loved the early 240s. Round headlights are much better than the quads on the later models.

liquid_popcorn > D
02/18/2014 at 08:51

Haha, thanks. I almost decided to ditch it and go E28/E30, but hitting a deer made the decision for me since I swapped it to the front end I liked better. Decided since I was spending money I may as well keep it. I do like it, it's just painfully slow right now and I won't have the money to make it fun for a bit.

liquid_popcorn > oldestyoungn
02/18/2014 at 08:52

Haha, it looks a bit more baby blue in person, unfortunately. That was just after the sun came up (sofuckingcold), so the light favored the car. Thinking of repainting it black, though - still unsure on that.

liquid_popcorn > Brewman15
02/18/2014 at 08:52

Hell yes. Mine is actually an 83, but I hated the quad rectangles so I swapped it. Much improved, I think.

Suby555 > liquid_popcorn
02/18/2014 at 14:11

Sounds like a great plan you have there!
Definitely keep oppo updated as it progresses!

liquid_popcorn > Suby555
02/18/2014 at 14:59

Thanks! I definitely will! Once I get the flathood and amber corners picked up Thursday I'll create a tag for it and upload some new photos.

D > liquid_popcorn
02/18/2014 at 15:15

So it sounds like swapping newer headlight/grills assemblies for older ones isn't very hard on the 240? Other than needing a new hood, did you need to do anything else special or did the parts bolt right in?

Eventually I would like to get some sort of 740 project going and I know that the quad-rectangle lights are so much better than the ones from the 90's.

liquid_popcorn > D
02/18/2014 at 15:20

It was super easy; the cutouts are already lined up, so it's just a matter of making sure the wiring harnesses are correct (low and ground spades need to be swapped), then screwing in the lights and snapping in the surrounds and grille. The hood shouldn't be bad either, although I'm thinking of adding a gas strut or two since the old spring hinges are going on me, haha.

With harnesses it took maybe 35 minutes in the freezing bitter cold.

D > liquid_popcorn
02/18/2014 at 15:23

35 minutes? So it should only take me two hours, not bad :D

That's good to hear though, I imagine it's the same deal for the 700. I'm sure people do it all the time so I'll have to read up on it.

liquid_popcorn > D
02/18/2014 at 15:25

Haha, I'm sure you'll be able to do better than that! Maybe 2 hours with frequent beer breaks.

Turbobricks, although it is full of trolls on the fb page, is actually full of crazy helpful people on their main website. They also sell parts on the cheap and are cool to deal with. I bought my parts from RedwoodChair; he's fantastic.

D > liquid_popcorn
02/18/2014 at 16:19

Of all the Volvo forums I've ended up on from google searches, Turbobricks definitely looks like the best. *raises glass* Here's hoping to me actually scoring a turbo so I can hold my head up over there!

liquid_popcorn > D
02/18/2014 at 16:33

Haha, right? Mine is currently n/a, so a turbo is on the list of projects for this summer.

liquid_popcorn > D
02/18/2014 at 16:33

Also I love how relatively cheap volvo parts are compared to my VW. It's the best.