240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Just a thought Alan, perhaps change the bulb in it for an LED and a big enough resistor so it only give "mood lighting" rather than "in yer face brightness"?

Bob might like to see where he's putting his paws after an after-dark walkies!

The light above the rear ash tray problem is fixed: the problem was a duff (new) bulb. It works fine in the 'P' and lights on positions now.

[Othen]

The interior light 10 second delay relay showed up in the mail today (a week late). It was trivial to fit, just 4 wires:



I took a permanent 12v feed from the back of the radio, ran an earth return and cut into the wire leading to the driver's door switch, then used two of these little solder/heat shrink connectors to splice the other two wires into it:



... all very straightforward:



The only minor irritation was that the relay didn't come with a bracket to secure it, so I neatly zip tied it near the steering column:



It works fine, and gives a useful 10 second delay to find the ignition key after closing the door. Good value at £15 delivered I thought.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

I'm not sure on the headlights you've got Alan but i've done a few Rover ones in my time and they have a rubber gasket in a groove in the housing and the lens sits in the groove, retained by big C shaped clips that hold onto a ridge on the glass and the housing.

However, it can be tricky and any slight misjudgement can result in a broken lens (i speak from bitter experience!) but the chances are the dust cover round the bulb(s) is or has been missing.

If it's there now, remove it and park it facing the sun to dry the moisture and let it evaporate off - replace the dust cover before sundown though so as it cools, it doesn't pull colder, moist air back in and create more condensation.

Many thanks Dave.
Alan

[Othen]

See below (fat fingers typing problem).

[Othen]

The Royal Barge has sprung a little oil leak (or perhaps I've only just noticed it?). It isn't much, a few drops overnight.

The leak seems to be coming from the camshaft cover, on the right side, as you may see here:



I can't help thinking the PO probably knew of it, because I've found two replacement gaskets in the spares box:



They appear to be identical, but one says it is for a B19A, 1986cc motor, the other is for a B21A 2316cc engine. Now, my car has a B21A 2127cc, does anyone know whether these gaskets will fit? It would appear (at first glance) that Volvo didn't change the gasket for several decades, and fitted it to a number of 4 cylinder cars. The two gaskets I have certainly look like they are exactly the same as this one for a B21A:

https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/payen-7438120.html

If someone would let me know whether one of these gaskets will suit I'll get it fitted in the next few days (I'm not exactly doing anything else at the moment).

Alan

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

The Royal Barge has sprung a little oil leak (or perhaps I've only just noticed it?). It isn't much, a few drops overnight.

The leak seems to be coming from the camshaft cover, on the right side, as you may see here:



I can't help thinking the PO probably knew of it, because I've found two replacement gaskets in the spares box:



They appear to be identical, but one says it is for a B19A, 1986cc motor, the other is for a B21A 2316cc engine. Now, my car has a B21A 2127cc, does anyone know whether these gaskets will fit? It would appear (at first glance) that Volvo didn't change the gasket for several decades, and fitted it to a number of 4 cylinder cars. The two gaskets I have certainly look like they are exactly the same as this one for a B21A:

https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/payen-7438120.html

If someone would let me know whether one of these gaskets will suit I'll get it fitted in the next few days (I'm not exactly doing anything else at the moment).

Alan

They should be identical Alan, the acid test is remove the likely one (B21A) from the packaging and lay it on top of the less likely one. If there are no discrepancies or some that won't make any difference or could be amputated with a scalpel if necessary then they'll both fit.

Don't over-tighten the cover and before you fit the new gasket (after removing the old one) check the rocker cover isn't distorted by laying it on top of the head. It appears that you have the pressed steel rocker cover so any distortion can be reduced with your panel beating skills.

Some people suggest a thin bead of RTV on the mating face of the rocker cover and another on the head, fit the cover and let it sit purely on its own weight for 10 minutes or so then add the nuts, tightening them evenly and progressively to the recommended torque (no tighter as that distorts the cover) and it should give you leak-free service.

Obviously the surfaces need to be clean and degreased for it to work best but should keep you busy for half an hour and a nice excuse to take Bob for an extended walk after as you can now only give him one walk a day.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

They should be identical Alan, the acid test is remove the likely one (B21A) from the packaging and lay it on top of the less likely one. If there are no discrepancies or some that won't make any difference or could be amputated with a scalpel if necessary then they'll both fit.

Don't over-tighten the cover and before you fit the new gasket (after removing the old one) check the rocker cover isn't distorted by laying it on top of the head. It appears that you have the pressed steel rocker cover so any distortion can be reduced with your panel beating skills.

Some people suggest a thin bead of RTV on the mating face of the rocker cover and another on the head, fit the cover and let it sit purely on its own weight for 10 minutes or so then add the nuts, tightening them evenly and progressively to the recommended torque (no tighter as that distorts the cover) and it should give you leak-free service.

Obviously the surfaces need to be clean and degreased for it to work best but should keep you busy for half an hour and a nice excuse to take Bob for an extended walk after as you can now only give him one walk a day.

Many thanks Dave, that is very reassuring.

I think the parts are identical, I did a search on eBay for the BGA RK4310 part # and found it fits all the 4 cylinder cars made for about 2 decades - including the 1980 B21A.

Many thanks for the fitting tips.

Bob (and Monty, a dog belonging to one of my neighbuors) have just been for our walk, so I don't have much more I can do this afternoon than throw him a ball in the yard, so I might as well fill half an hour changing the gasket.

Alan

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

Bob (and Monty, a dog belonging to one of my neighbuors) have just been for our walk, so I don't have much more I can do this afternoon than throw him a ball in the yard, so I might as well fill half an hour changing the gasket.

Alan

These are great fun Alan and you can even pick the ball up with the muzzle of the gun :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dog-Ball-...r/113745085649

When Bob drops the ball near your feet just lean over from your patio chair with the gun (pull back the spring handle first though) and put the muzzle of the gun over the ball - it reloads it too! Then aim and fire! Goes about 30ft with a good one, a bit of slicone spray lube works wonders on the mechanism to give it some extra oomph as well!

[CosmicBike]

I like the interior light fix, have to say it's one of those annoying little things that just doesn't happen on modern cars, so I think I'll do the same.
Also loving the dog ball launcher, on the shopping list to keep my pair occupied.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

These are great fun Alan and you can even pick the ball up with the muzzle of the gun :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dog-Ball-...r/113745085649

When Bob drops the ball near your feet just lean over from your patio chair with the gun (pull back the spring handle first though) and put the muzzle of the gun over the ball - it reloads it too! Then aim and fire! Goes about 30ft with a good one, a bit of slicone spray lube works wonders on the mechanism to give it some extra oomph as well!

Excellent Dave! I'll order one for Bob this eve.