240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Othen]

Having chatted it through with Luke I don't think I'll fit the AW71 gearbox before shipping the RB to its new home. Whilst I've already planned the sub-project and it would have been fun to complete the RB story, I'm not a professional mechanic and I'd be constantly worried that I'd got something wrong. If it was my motor car I'd notice anything untoward and would be able to fix it - but with a new owner 270 miles away it would trouble my conscience. Many thanks to Luke for his considered advice.

The RB is still running-in really, so trailering it to the Borders seems most sensible. I've checked everything out with a local trailer hire company from Oundle and can get what I need for £120/2 days. Bob and I will probably make an overnight trip of it some time this month. I'll look for a nice, dog-friendly hotel near Selkirk.

I still have a few things to do in order to get the AW71 ready, the first one was taking it off the engine (this morn's job). It only look about an hour - a lot easier on the back of my 3/4T trailer:

The flex plate bolts are a bit fiddle to get at - it is handy to have a 17mm ratchet ring spanner:



Once they are off then there are just half a dozen bolts holding the bell housing on, it all came apart easily - but remember to slide a jemmy down between the flex plate and the torque converter so it doesn't fall off (this was definitely easier with it out of the motor car):



... once it was off I wired over the torque converter.

I have a spare one of these, so I might as well weld a couple of tabs on the front so the new owner can just drill a couple of holes and it will be ready to hold the gearbox on the RB:



... I'll prepare the cooling lines with the push-fit connectors I bought as well.

This afternoon I'll take the oil pan off and have a look at the filter - I'm pretty sure it is the fairly coarse gauze type on this 'box, and so will just need a rinse in some kerosene. I think I have a spare gasket somewhere.

I'll put a Tesco's bag over the open end and give it a pressure wash, but that is it for the AW71. I'll look out for half a pallet to strap it to and it will be ready to go.

What I will do for the new owner is write him some detailed instructions on swapping the gearboxes: changing over the rear extensions (I'll include the bush and rear seal in a bag), fitting the cross member, cooling lines, prop shaft and shifter.

I should have it all ready for transit in a day or two.

I need to think of something to do with this beastie:



... I'll strip the external stuff off, change the 4 seals and the cam belt and give it a patch paint and brush up. After that I'll strap it to the other half of the AW71's pallet and either sell it or store it for another project...

... we'll see.

Another lovely day in paradise.

:-)

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by Othen

Having chatted it through with Luke I don't think I'll fit the AW71 gearbox before shipping the RB to its new home. Whilst I've already planned the sub-project and it would have been fun to complete the RB story, I'm not a professional mechanic and I'd be constantly worried that I'd got something wrong. If it was my motor car I'd notice anything untoward and would be able to fix it - but with a new owner 270 miles away it would trouble my conscience. Many thanks to Luke for his considered advice.

The RB is still running-in really, so trailering it to the Borders seems most sensible. I've checked everything out with a local trailer hire company from Oundle and can get what I need for £120/2 days. Bob and I will probably make an overnight trip of it some time this month. I'll look for a nice, dog-friendly hotel near Selkirk.

I still have a few things to do in order to get the AW71 ready, the first one was taking it off the engine (this morn's job). It only look about an hour - a lot easier on the back of my 3/4T trailer:

The flex plate bolts are a bit fiddle to get at - it is handy to have a 17mm ratchet ring spanner:



Once they are off then there are just half a dozen bolts holding the bell housing on, it all came apart easily - but remember to slide a jemmy down between the flex plate and the torque converter so it doesn't fall off (this was definitely easier with it out of the motor car):



... once it was off I wired over the torque converter.

I have a spare one of these, so I might as well weld a couple of tabs on the front so the new owner can just drill a couple of holes and it will be ready to hold the gearbox on the RB:



... I'll prepare the cooling lines with the push-fit connectors I bought as well.

This afternoon I'll take the oil pan off and have a look at the filter - I'm pretty sure it is the fairly coarse gauze type on this 'box, and so will just need a rinse in some kerosene. I think I have a spare gasket somewhere.

I'll put a Tesco's bag over the open end and give it a pressure wash, but that is it for the AW71. I'll look out for half a pallet to strap it to and it will be ready to go.

What I will do for the new owner is write him some detailed instructions on swapping the gearboxes: changing over the rear extensions (I'll include the bush and rear seal in a bag), fitting the cross member, cooling lines, prop shaft and shifter.

I should have it all ready for transit in a day or two.

I need to think of something to do with this beastie:



... I'll strip the external stuff off, change the 4 seals and the cam belt and give it a patch paint and brush up. After that I'll strap it to the other half of the AW71's pallet and either sell it or store it for another project...

... we'll see.

Another lovely day in paradise.

:-)

I can understand your decision not to do the box swap. As you say working on your own motor is a big difference from one that’s on longer yours. Could have some consequences you could do without, despite the good intent.

Steady pootle, nice enjoyable trip!👍

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

I can understand your decision not to do the box swap. As you say working on your own motor is a big difference from one that’s on longer yours. Could have some consequences you could do without, despite the good intent.

Steady pootle, nice enjoyable trip!👍

Thank you Andrew. I was sorely tempted to complete the RB story and fit the gearbox; I would have enjoyed that and I have pages of notes in my estimates book. Luke (much more of a professional mechanic) and I chatted it through and he was dead right: I'd have been worried I had not done something up properly for months. If it had still been my own motor car it would have been easy to commission, check and then check again. Anyway, I think that is the right decision, but I'll do whatever I can to prepare the ground for the Scot.

Again having thought through it - trailering the motor car up to Selkirk makes most sense. I can take Bob with me (he will love it) and we'll have a nice trip to a lovely part of our country. I'm thinking 22/23 August might be a good time for that trip (I'll have to check with Bob's PA to make sure he is available).

Another lovely day in paradise.

:-)

[Moomoo]

Bob’s PA, 😂 , love it!

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

Bob’s PA, 😂 , love it!

Millicent (Bob's PA):

[Othen]

The AW71 is ready for transit. I took the oil pan off and everything looked pretty good: the residual ATF was still redish and the magnet in the sum hadn't attracted too many friends. I decided to remove the filter and give it a clean, on reflection this was probably a mistake as it was pretty clean anyway, and it takes ages to get all the bits of gasket off. Anyway, I gave it a blow through with the air line, a wash in some kerosene, then made up a pretty neat gasket (the leather stamps are really good for making neat bolt holes):



Everything looked good inside, no obvious sludge or metal particles:



... and finally a wash and brush up:



Another lovely day in paradise.

:-)

[360beast]

The end of an era, brings a tear to my eye.

Now about that 760 turbo

[Othen]

Originally Posted by 360beast

The end of an era, brings a tear to my eye.

Now about that 760 turbo

… no estates, no turbos… :-)

[Steve 940]

Ah, but what about an Amazon Estate with a Supercharger, no turbo😀

Next project, just saying.....

Cheers
Steve

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Ah, but what about an Amazon Estate with a Supercharger, no turbo😀

Next project, just saying.....

Cheers
Steve

It is still an estate - and why would an Amazon need any more than 90HP?

:-)