Advice on purchasing a 1981 244 DL

battt · Aug 10th, 2018, 19:24

Hi everyone, I’m off to view very tidy looking 244 DL tomorrow.
I have a torslanda which is my daily and very reliable but I’ve been wanting a car that can be more of a project and this one seems to be a very solid base.

Any advice on what to look out for when viewing? It has the B21 with a twin carb and a manual 4 speed without OD. It’s showing 26k on the clock but the current owner only has history back to 2003 so he’s skeptical about that - it’s only covered 7k in the history he does have. It’s got no rust on the arches, the underside is clean and black and shiny.

I’d probably be looking to do an engine swap along with a 5 speed manual, uprated suspension, brakes and what not in the future but is there anything just plain wrong with these cars of this era that might make me want to avoid?

Thanks.

DW42 · Aug 11th, 2018, 01:27

Rust, mostly. 1981 is in the era of biodegradable wiring harnesses on 240s. ClassicSwede sells harnesses.

nu11eaf · Aug 11th, 2018, 19:43

As above, rust is the main killer of old Volvo's, but a lot better than most other makes, but enusure when you test drive it you take it up to full temperature and a run at 70mph or above to see if it holds its temp or starts to overheat, and stop engine and see if it starts ok when hot. They may run perfectly ok all day long at 50mph but start to overheat when pushed, But generally as long as the body and chassis are good you can sort any other problems out. (If you are mechanically minded)

battt · Aug 12th, 2018, 09:57

Thanks folks, I didn’t go for it in the end. Better off focusing the attention and funds on the torslanda.

Aug 10th, 2018, 19:24	#1
battt New Member Last Online: Jan 16th, 2022 11:05 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Oxford	Advice on purchasing a 1981 244 DL Hi everyone, I’m off to view very tidy looking 244 DL tomorrow. I have a torslanda which is my daily and very reliable but I’ve been wanting a car that can be more of a project and this one seems to be a very solid base. Any advice on what to look out for when viewing? It has the B21 with a twin carb and a manual 4 speed without OD. It’s showing 26k on the clock but the current owner only has history back to 2003 so he’s skeptical about that - it’s only covered 7k in the history he does have. It’s got no rust on the arches, the underside is clean and black and shiny. I’d probably be looking to do an engine swap along with a 5 speed manual, uprated suspension, brakes and what not in the future but is there anything just plain wrong with these cars of this era that might make me want to avoid? Thanks.

Aug 11th, 2018, 01:27	#2
DW42 Senior Member Last Online: Oct 9th, 2022 04:41 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Currumbin, Queensland	Rust, mostly. 1981 is in the era of biodegradable wiring harnesses on 240s. ClassicSwede sells harnesses. __________________ Present: 1990 240GL saloon, 1992 240 estate Past: 1988 240GL; 1971 144DL; 1972 145DL

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Aug 11th, 2018, 19:43	#3
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:30 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	As above, rust is the main killer of old Volvo's, but a lot better than most other makes, but enusure when you test drive it you take it up to full temperature and a run at 70mph or above to see if it holds its temp or starts to overheat, and stop engine and see if it starts ok when hot. They may run perfectly ok all day long at 50mph but start to overheat when pushed, But generally as long as the body and chassis are good you can sort any other problems out. (If you are mechanically minded)

Aug 12th, 2018, 09:57	#4
battt New Member Last Online: Jan 16th, 2022 11:05 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Oxford	Thanks folks, I didn’t go for it in the end. Better off focusing the attention and funds on the torslanda.

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