New plugs and volts gauge

Yesterday was a day of doing stuff on the 240.

I wanted to do an oil and filter change but couldn't get the sump plug off, so will try again next weekend using a different spanner.

But I did replace the spark plugs, leads, distributor cap (rotor button was jammed on, so I left it), and I added a genuine Volvo volts gauge as well. I ran out of daylight to finish it, so it will also get done next weekend. Just need to connect it to the fuse and cable tie up the wire.

Here's the pix:

The new volts gauge in place

Ratchet handle and plug socket along with the new distributor cap, plugs, leads and rotor button

A very dirty number one spark plug. Number 2 was similar, but 3 and 4 were reasonably clean

Photos of the 1992 240

Well here's the photos of the new brick. Cost $1500.

When the previous owner doesn't look after his car

Well my old mechanic in Sydney went over the 240, and found more than $1200 in repairs to be done. This made me think twice about whether the 86 was worth working on further, especially with the hail damage and rust spot and buggered interior. Anyway out of curiosity I looked on eBay to see what was about, and found a 92 240 sedan.

Yesterday I went and looked at it and bought it for $1500. Very good price. The body has a few scrapes and dings, as you'd expect for a 17 year old car, but interior is almost like new, and the rest of the car is in pretty good shape. It does need some new shocks and trailing arm bushes for the back, but not a lot of effort elsewhere.

The new 240 was built in October 1992, which is one of the very last of the cars to be built. It's silver, with blue woven interior. Has airbag and electric left mirror. Has factory security system and air conditioning as well.

I will post a few pix in a few days.

Today I fitted my Virgo rims with the new tyres to the 1992 today, and tidied up some trim in the boot and replaced the left indicator lens on the front with one that didn't have a stone crack in it.

So now I have the 92, my red 86 model is up for sale, looking for about $500 for it. Message me if you want more information.

Some of the service done!

Started the service on the 240 with my cousin Mick today. I of course left the Haynes manual at home, so we didnt get as far as we wouldve liked. But the car is running better with new spark plugs, oil and filter. Also replaced a very dirty air filter as well.

Will start the driving and fog lights tomorrow morning.

Mick found an interesting rust spot under the gutter trim on the rightside near the quarter glass.

New fog light switch installed

I couldn't help myself this morning before work - I had to put the fog light switch in the dash.

Anyway here's a photo of it there with all the others.

Now onto actually hooking up the lights and doing the service the car so desperately needs.

New toy arrived in the post today!

My factory 240 fog light switch arrived in the mail from the US today. Looks almost like new too. Will click it into the dash tomorrow in preparation for the installation of the lights.

Got more of the parts for the service today, but feel I got royally ripped off with the pricing for the thermostat and air filter.

Buying bits for the service

I am doing a big service on the 240 on the weekend with my cousin Mick, so I went to Repco today to pick up the bits I needed to do the work. Got most of what I wanted, but ran into some issues.

First, I was able to walk away today with the following:

• Oil Filter
• Spark Plugs
• Distributor Cap
• Anti Freeze / Anti Boil
• Engine Oil
• Fan, A/C and Power Steering Belts

But I had to order in the following:

• Thermostat and rubber o-ring
• Automatic transmission fluid
• Rotor Button

I couldn't get these items though:

• Radiator expansion tank hose
• Top & Bottom Radiator Hoses
• Fuel Filter
• Thermostat housing gasket
• Sump plug gasket
• Transmission filter and gasket

The hoses, thermostat housing gasket and sump plug gasket were not available to order and the rest will have to wait till I am under the car to match the models, as there's 2 choices for each. I haven't resorted to ordering from Volvo yet, but may end up doing that if I can't get what I need.