240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

I recently found a Volvo Amazon that had been fitted with a 2-stroke Evinrude V8 marine engine on YouTube called "Rudezon" so it seems 2-strokes are still in use in cars, even if only occasionally!

Dear Santa, I've been good. I know it's a bit early but..................[/QUOTE]

Dear Santa, please add a pair of ear defenders!

https://youtu.be/mrhsUXnodfw

You'll need them!

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Othen

Actually John, I've even been in a Wartburg! A girlfriend at university in Bristol had one - it would have been about 1989 or 90 I suppose.

I still have a 1976 Suzuki B120 2 stroke motorcycle, it has a automatic mixture system with a separate tank (so no premix) but it still leaves that lovely trail of blue smoke :-)

Alan

Eeeek! I’ve just cut a decade off my age, I meant 1979 or 80!!!!!

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Othen

Eeeek! I’ve just cut a decade off my age, I meant 1979 or 80!!!!!

If it was one of the last made, it would have been around 4 or 5 years old at the time - I think that model (the Knight Mk4, which was basically a face-lifted Mk3, which was basically ... ) was launched in 1968. The car continued in the GDR with a VW engine for a number of years, but I don't think that version was ever imported to England. There were (marginally) better cars, like the Lada and Polski-Fiat available by that time!

Regards, John.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

If it was one of the last made, it would have been around 4 or 5 years old at the time - I think that model (the Knight Mk4, which was basically a face-lifted Mk3, which was basically ... ) was launched in 1968. The car continued in the GDR with a VW engine for a number of years, but I don't think that version was ever imported to England. There were (marginally) better cars, like the Lada and Polski-Fiat available by that time!

Regards, John.

Yes, that sounds about right, bear in mind this was student days so a 4 year old car would have been considered almost new.
It was a very primitive motor car, but then most cars were in those days. Even in the 1970s 2 strokes seemed old fashioned in a motor car, Saab had abandoned them a long time previously - although they were still common in motorcycles.
Alan

PS. I found one for sale: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1295248

[Othen]

I'd noticed a very feint clicking sound from the nearside front when moving from forward to reverse gears in the RB. I suspected either a track rod end or a wheel bearing so I jacked up the front end for a better look today.

All the bushes seem good, and the track rod end are both in good condition - the culprit was the wheel bearing. I remember tweaking it up a little just after I bought the RB (so 18 months ago now). Anyway, I tightened the centre nut up to 7 kgf.m, backed it off one flat and re-fitted the split pin. The cup was still full of the machine grease I'd put there previously so I just pushed it back on.

The click has disappeared, so that seems to have solved the problem for the time being at least. I'm slightly concerned that I've adjusted the wheel bearing twice in 5,000 miles though, so I rather suspect that wheel bearing is on its way out. I'll check it again at spring service time (so another 1,000 miles) and probably procure a replacement to fit at that point.

Other than that the RB remains in rude health.

:-)

[Laird Scooby]

Might be worth inspecting the other wheel bearing too Alan, very often if one is beginning to go purely on mileage the other won't be far behind. Chances are you'd be able to buy two together for a better price than two individually and while the front end is in the air for one, swap the other as well. Might need a hydraulic press for it though.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Might be worth inspecting the other wheel bearing too Alan, very often if one is beginning to go purely on mileage the other won't be far behind. Chances are you'd be able to buy two together for a better price than two individually and while the front end is in the air for one, swap the other as well. Might need a hydraulic press for it though.

Suitable bearing kits only seem to be about £15 Dave - when I get some spare time I’ll do a bit of research to make sure I’m looking for the right one.

I don’t think I’ll need a hydraulic press this time Dave.

Alan

[Dippydog]

Had a Wartburg estate back in the mid '70s[I seem to remember it was a '68 registered car]three cylinder two stroke with a separate coil for each cylinder and a freewheel device fitted.Accelerated pretty well off the line I seem to recall but filled the air behind with clouds of blue smoke!

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Dippydog

Had a Wartburg estate back in the mid '70s[I seem to remember it was a '68 registered car]three cylinder two stroke with a separate coil for each cylinder and a freewheel device fitted.Accelerated pretty well off the line I seem to recall but filled the air behind with clouds of blue smoke!

Ah, the freewheel, 'D.d.' ... Unlike the ones fitted to some Rovers of the '50s, which were primarily to enhance fuel economy, those fitted to the Wartburg were intended to prevent oil starvation and possible engine seizure after a long period on the overrun. If you've ever had a small capacity single 2T bike engine nip up and had to whip out the clutch, I'm sure you will appreciate that!

They could be locked out to provide engine braking in hilly districts, but this was not normally recommended. I well remember the vicious understeer that could result when pressing on and then lifting off into a bend ... That, coupled with the OE East German tyres, nearly had me in the ditch more than once - real brown trouser jobs, those cars. The estate was a useful load carrier, though ...

Apologies, Alan, for the continued hijacking of your thread, but I am pleased that the 'R.B.' continues to serve you well. I would expect no less!

Regards, John.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Apologies, Alan, for the continued hijacking of your thread, but I am pleased that the 'R.B.' continues to serve you well. I would expect no less!

Regards, John.

... There is no need to apologise John, this thread has been on many adventurous tangents in the past 18 months and they have all proven worthwhile.

The Wartburg/2 stroke/freewheel/understeer... digression is most welcome.

Alan