Potential Volvo 340 Owner - Need advice

[TehRin]

Being a young driver I've been searching for one of these (as the insurance is mega cheap - the best deal I've got with my Slowda is 3.5k, 1.8k with a box). You can imagine my excitement when I saw a nice example that was good value, local to me!

I only have a few questions, buying a car of this age.

It's got a 1.7 (carb). Is their anything to watch out for other than the usual on this engine? What about the rest of the car?

Also, I understand the 1.7 puts out about 80bhp out of the box. Other than a good service, is there any other way to get a good amount of cheap power out of the 1.7? Fast cams, carbs (bike carbs)? Don't worry, I'm not going to use it as a drifts**g. Just restore it, possibly GLT spec. Maybe even install a 480 turbo (much work required?).

Also I understand they don't have power-steering, which don't really phase me, but on a car this big does it make tight maneuvers difficult?

Sorry about the bombardment of questions - just curious as I'm considering this car.

Cheers, Ryan

[360beast]

Never owned a 340 so can't comment on most of it, however my 360 doesn't have power steering.
I much prefer it to power steering as at high speeds it feels more direct and has feeling.
When doing tight manouveres no power steering can be a problem but IMO it is still quite easy to turn even when not moving.

Edit: Is it this one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-VOLVO...item4abfaa471a

[TehRin]

Ohh, that's sorted that.

It isn't that one, that'd cost me a bomb to insure - it's a two door. Looks abit too far gone for me to buy?

[360beast]

3 doors are becoming rare and hard to find.

[Joe Harding]

I had a 1.7 once as opposed to four 1.4 models. Never again. Carb base warps, cylinder head gasket (or worse) went. Shocks went. We got shot of it and returned eventually to the trusty, slow, easy to maintain 1.4.

Excellent car otherwise. Body rusts in predicatable spots (over wheel arches, along sills where door holes drain to metal, under front valence).

Best of all, despite no air bags, if you get clobbered in one of these, the offending car, providing its not of the same ilk, will crumple beautifully, whilst you'll be looking at a new bumper (which is a real bumper, not a plastic wraparound.)

Good choice

[TonyS9]

I don't like 1.7s for the same reasons, also weak spark problems. 1.4 is more reliable but don't do many miles. 360 is legendary, engines have virtually no problems and last forever.

Rust will bite later than a Ford Escort, but much earlier than a 940.

The 340s don't really need PS, and of course full lock is good with RWD.

360s are quite different to 340s, although can be converted with effort, its more that just the engine. You're better to start with a 360 and add a 940 turbo engine, of course modifications will be pricey on insurance. 340s you can fit 16V renault engines.

340=Renault engine
360=Volvo Engine

I don't agree they are hard card crashwise. The bumpers work well at low speed but higher speed the chassis will crumple softly to absorb energy. All cars are now design to do this, but modern cars have the benefit of Engineering+medical know-how and are a little stiffer. I think 300s will not survive as high a speed crash as a modern car.

[TehRin]

Cheers fellas!

So I gather the 1.7 is unreliable? Would you say swapping a F7R is a long term project? I'd seriously consider that.

Local 360's are hard to find, I've gathered. :/

[heckflosse]

Originally Posted by TehRin

Being a young driver I've been searching for one of these (as the insurance is mega cheap - the best deal I've got with my Slowda is 3.5k, 1.8k with a box). You can imagine my excitement when I saw a nice example that was good value, local to me!

I only have a few questions, buying a car of this age.

It's got a 1.7 (carb). Is their anything to watch out for other than the usual on this engine? What about the rest of the car?

Also, I understand the 1.7 puts out about 80bhp out of the box. Other than a good service, is there any other way to get a good amount of cheap power out of the 1.7? Fast cams, carbs (bike carbs)? Don't worry, I'm not going to use it as a drifts**g. Just restore it, possibly GLT spec. Maybe even install a 480 turbo (much work required?).

Also I understand they don't have power-steering, which don't really phase me, but on a car this big does it make tight maneuvers difficult?

Sorry about the bombardment of questions - just curious as I'm considering this car.

Cheers, Ryan

Hi Ryan,
I used to work on them when new at a Main dealers.
Faults;
Carbs warp. and are a bit pricey to replace.
Propshafts come un bonded sometimes.
Distributor caps go frequently, core plugs used to corrode, but should have been sorted now.
Wheel cylinders were always weeping.
Rear light bulb holders are truly nasty French tat, remember this was once going to be a DAF, not a "proper" Swedish Volvo ( wait for the brickbats....)
Performance varied according to how doddery the previous owners driving style was, some were really quite lively.
Steering was ok, and they are a very useful hatchback- I collected a Small Block Chevy in one without too much trouble.

If you can get cheap insurance, good for you, a car that is different and useful,easy to fix, and quite rare now.
Not the prettiest thing , but nor is a Prius.
Cheers,
James.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by TehRin

Cheers fellas!

So I gather the 1.7 is unreliable? Would you say swapping a F7R is a long term project? I'd seriously consider that.

Local 360's are hard to find, I've gathered. :/

If you want to do an engine conversion have a look at www.volvo300mania.com you will learn everything you need to know about the F7R/F7P conversion, and a guy on there splices the ECU loom for people, so you won't have to worry about chopping up the loom yourself.

If you want a 360 then keep an eye out on ebay, the for sale section on here, the offers section on V3M and www.carandclassic.co.uk