Picked up a new car a couple of weeks ago, thought I'd share.
It's a 75 Volvo 242, which is a very unique car in it's own right. The coupe was only sold until the early 80s, and as a 75, this one still has the older pushrod motor under the hood. This particular car has had a really interesting history, which is amazingly well documented by the pile of paperwork that came with it.
From 83 until some point in the early 90's, this car lived in Europe. It spent time in Greece, Spain, and Great Brittan. I also have repair bills from Germany and Italy. It belonged to someone in the air force, who took the car all over the place. Stateside, it was registered in Sac in 1975, followed by West Virginia, several other California towns, Utah, Texas, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. In other words, it's had more plates on it than a restaurant table.
It's rough, but it did drive itself to work today. I'll probably do some basic repairs and press this car into daily duty until the Edsel is out of the garage and through it's teething phase. With the unique history, I'd like to restore it.
The B20 motor under the hood is a really neat piece itself. Ultra old-school non-crossflow iron 4 banger. Big valves, solid lifters, and a surprising racing pedigree. Not to mention a really neat mechanical injection setup.
I'll get some more pictures, and scan some of the stranger documents from it's European vacation to post up.
that car is slick! nice pickuphell that car has traveled around the world more than most people do.
my mom used to have an old 240. 84 i think. i definitely dig older volvos, and recently decided down the road i want a 242 GT coupe as a project car.
definitely get some more pics and keeps us posted on the progress of what youre doing!
very nice, i have a soft spot for a car with a story, always dug the volvo wagons. more pics
Always liked the older volvo 240s. They are supposed to be really reliable and great ice racers
thats pretty sweet!"It's rough, but it did drive itself to work today."
I want a self driving car!
^^ They were pretty ahead of their time, what can I say?
I have kind of a thing for the 240, especially the OG flathood ones. This is actually the third one I've owned. They are unbelievably well engineered cars. In 1975 this thing came with an integrated roll-over structure, collapsible column, and 4 pot fixed calipers in front, 2 pots in the rear. The axle is a Dana 30. Very tough machines.
This car has some serious vacuum leak issues, which is a big weak point of the CIS injection. It's all mechanical, so vac leaks cause major havoc. Once I straighten that out it will be a pretty reliable car. The valve guides are worn, so it smokes when cold. The valve train is old too so it clatters like a VW. It would drive cross country with some new hoses and tires though.
I'll try and get some pics and scan a few documents tomorrow. I'll have a few daylight hours when I'm not working.
I love 240's. My first car was a 82 244. Im looking for one now for a project. Congratulations.my favorite one
http://forums.turbobricks.com/...09398
Quote, originally posted by Prodigal Son » This car has some serious vacuum leak issues, which is a big weak point of the CIS injection *shudders*
Good luck man. I dig it.
A few more pictures for you guys. Car used to be orange, like there in the pic. I'd really like to paint it that color again. It's pretty loud, but I can blame Volvo so it's ok
The vacuum issues have been resolved. The solution wasn't very tidy, but it will work well enough for now. If you can spot the looped black line in the pic below, that's part of the work-around. That is the fast idle valve and its hoses were screwed. Fuel line can't make the tight OEM bends, but this will work for now. Going to have to see if Volvo still stocks the part.
Here is the heart of the CIS system. VW guys will recognize it, but the 1975 edition is much simpler and alot more durable that the horrible KE-jet it evolved into. This little puppy measures airflow and meters out fuel via the distributor there to a nozzle in each port. Works very well when it's all dialed in, but you have to be willing to learn how to work on it. It has more in common with carburetors than EFI.
Quote, originally posted by Prodigal Son » Here is the heart of the CIS system. VW guys will recognize it
Quote, originally posted by Jomo » *shudders*
God, no wonder you don't like CIS. K-jet came out in 1974, so this car is the very early system. Purely solid state with no electronic control of any kind. Personally, I find it very straightforward to work with. VW missed the boat on k-jet. By the time they adopted it, the smog nazis already screwed it up.
Tell me about it. I had to deal with CIS along with all the CIS-E, EM, Lambda, etc... stuff. That's what I get for being the MKII fan of the group.
Opinions are mixed on the early system too. EFI blows it away every day of the week, so for high performance its not as popular. On stock motors it lasts forever and does a much better job than the twin SUs it replaced.The Porsche guys have had a lot of luck with this thing: http://unwiredtools.com/utcis-pt.asp Which seems to have the "advantages" of CIS-E without the medusa of shitty wiring VW used. Would be interesting on a big bore B20 with a nice head and cam
All that's in the future though. This car is on beater duty while the Edsel is being built.
nice
those cars are tanks.
I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party. -Ron White
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -Thomas Jefferson
I too love old Volvo's. My dad just bought a MINT 87 240 Wagon. Body is in great shape and interior is 9/10.Thanks for making me look at 242's now.
Finally scanned the first of the Volvo's documentation. Here's a few of the more interesting bits.This is an insurance card from Spain, 1988. The small card is for a Volvo shop far, far away. I'm thinking that's maybe stylized Greek? If one of you guys can read it hook it up with a translation.
These are two copies of some authorization form to be parked on the base in Athens. One side is English, the other Greek.
Last one is another piece of insurance paper work in Spanish. Maybe from Spain? Again, if one of you can read it and clue me in I'd appreciate it. The other tag is part of the customs paperwork. Note the point of entry. This car left Europe and ended up in Compton, so it's been through Panama too
The new steering wheel came in the big brown truck yesterday. The wrenches were flying with the quickness after that. Looks much better
Before:
After:
Hawt
those seats are nasty!!!
- James
09 Impreza 2.5i Sedan
hahahahaha this is one of the funniest car i have ever seen...........
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