240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

Thank you John,

It looks like my very rough calculation of gear ratios was a long way out, no matter, 2700RPM at 70MPH waould be lovely.

The conversion to the AW71 box looks to have a few problems, this article is quite good (it is for a 260 but I suspect most the issues would be the same):

https://forums.tbforums.com/showthread.php?t=332124

I see your point about a manual conversion John, but to make it worthwhile it would have to be to a 5 speeder, which I suspect would have similar problems to the AW71. I quite like an auto box (my other cars are both 6 speed manuals, so I like driving something different in the RB).

As I said to Dave above, I’m at a fork in the road with the RB project. I can either modernise it (4 speed auto, plus... where would I stop) or I tinker with it as I have done so far but keep the car more or less standard (maybe I spend some money on a respray to make it look nice instead?).

The good thing is the RB is running nicely with the new head, the ignition, fuel and cooling systems all sorted, so I don’t need to make any hasty decision because something has failed.

This isn’t really a cost issue - I’m happy to invest a couple of grand in the RB project.

Stay safe,

Alan

Crikey, i took ages typing my last reply! Good find on that Turbobricks thread, useful to know my suspicions about swapping the rear extension housing (tailcone as he calls it) to sort the speedo were correct.

That makes life easier in many respects. As for the selector lever and his mods, there might be a better way, i'll re-read it tomorrow and see what i come up with.

As for "Where do you stop"? Well that's easy - when you're happy that it does what you want it to. I haven't mentioned stuffing quadruple motorbike carbs on instead of the twin choke Weber but i daresay it's crossed your mind!

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Sorry, Alan, I wasn't suggesting for one moment that you convert TO a manual! Far from it, I was thinking more that you may be able to pick up a good auto box from someone who has already carried that conversion and been unable to sell the auto box that they had removed.

Regards, John.

I do happen to know of one that will become available in the not too distant future, possible with the propshaft too.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

I do happen to know of one that will become available in the not too distant future, possible with the propshaft too.

Do you think that we might persuade Alan on this one then, 'L.S.'? J.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Do you think that we might persuade Alan on this one then, 'L.S.'? J.

I hope so John, it will transform the RB into something that can cope with motorways much more easily and also make A road cruising at 55-60mph much more pleasant too.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Sorry, Alan, I wasn't suggesting for one moment that you convert TO a manual! Far from it, I was thinking more that you may be able to pick up a good auto box from someone who has already carried that conversion and been unable to sell the auto box that they had removed.

Regards, John.

Ahhhh! The penny has dropped!

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Crikey, i took ages typing my last reply! Good find on that Turbobricks thread, useful to know my suspicions about swapping the rear extension housing (tailcone as he calls it) to sort the speedo were correct.

That makes life easier in many respects. As for the selector lever and his mods, there might be a better way, i'll re-read it tomorrow and see what i come up with.

As for "Where do you stop"? Well that's easy - when you're happy that it does what you want it to. I haven't mentioned stuffing quadruple motorbike carbs on instead of the twin choke Weber but i daresay it's crossed your mind!

Many thanks for the previous one re your Rover Dave, that has come out really nicely.

You have some really good points about the RB. I'm fortunate in that nothing needs to be changed quickly: I have all the parts, they are all working and fitted in the right place (well, now they are). It is fun car that I like and enjoy, I wasn't for a moment suggesting I'll sell it (Dan will do that when he winds up my estate), and certainly wasn't thinking of a 700 (the 240 is the car I want - for the nostalgia).

The radiator changes: yes, that is a separate issue from the auto box, it makes sense anyway. I have a shopping list of parts (due to you Dave, many thanks) that I'll get assembled ready and probably fit during the winter break (I'll probably SORN the RB Nov-Mar, so it will give me a little job to do). By the way Corby Hose & Hydraulics didn't come up with better solution, so the plumbing fittings will be just fine). Again the original transmission cooling system seems to be working fine, so I'm not in a desperate rush to fix it.

I liked the Turbobricks article - and it was good news about the speedo drive. I'm thinking the main seal will need changing sometime anyway (changing to 20W50 has cured the weep it had, but these things rarely fix themselves completely in the longer term). The transmission will have to come off one day - maybe this year's winter break, maybe winter 2021/2. If I decide to go the AW70/71 way then that would be a sensible time to do it. I'll read the article again today Dave.

Two weeks ago I thought I had a big problem with the RB (exhaust gas in the coolant) - but that is completely fixed for well under £200 and a couple of days of my time. Now I'm enjoying the RB the way Mr Volvo made it 40 years ago (and I can see what he meant). I agree completely that 3750RPM was completely acceptable 40 years ago because all autos did that - but it isn't any more.

I'm weighing all this up (in the Army: appreciating the situation) - fortunately for me the RB is fine and a fun car in the meantime, not pushing me into a corner via an impending mechanical failure.

Stay safe,

Alan

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

I do happen to know of one that will become available in the not too distant future, possible with the propshaft too.

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Do you think that we might persuade Alan on this one then, 'L.S.'? J.

You two really and an excellent source of both knowledge and inspiration. Without this forum (and in particular you two, and some others that have assisted from time to time) I'd still be muddling around trying to get the Royal Barge to run properly and maybe bodging things the way the PO did.

Many thanks, the RB is in a good place.

Stay safe,

Alan

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

By the way Corby Hose & Hydraulics didn't come up with better solution, so the plumbing fittings will be just fine). Again the original transmission cooling system seems to be working fine, so I'm not in a desperate rush to fix it.

I liked the Turbobricks article - and it was good news about the speedo drive. I'm thinking the main seal will need changing sometime anyway (changing to 20W50 has cured the weep it had, but these things rarely fix themselves completely in the longer term). The transmission will have to come off one day - maybe this year's winter break, maybe winter 2021/2. If I decide to go the AW70/71 way then that would be a sensible time to do it.

I agree completely that 3750RPM was completely acceptable 40 years ago because all autos did that - but it isn't any more.


Alan

Plumbing fittings? They're bona fide hydraulic fittings i found Alan, can also be used for pneumatics and gas.

I was going to suggest that when you changed the gearbox, for the extra 6 bolts, take the drive plate (automatics version of a flywheel) off the crank and renew the rear crank seal.

Back in 1980, most 2.0 manuals ran about 20mph/1000rpm so 70mph equated to 3500rpm so 3750rpm in an auto wouldn't have been out of the way at all. In fact most autos up to about 3.0 did as well.

I know of a few exceptions but once you got above 3.0, things changed dramatically, 25 and even 30mph/1000rpm were the norm. A 4.2 Jag for example would have been doing 112.5mph @ 3750rpm and an SD1 V8 would have been doing 93.5mph at the same engine speed.

It was seen as a luxury thing to have relaxed cruising, now it's seen as an economy thing so manufacturers followed that idea and many owners of classics ranging from the smallest to the biggest have retro-fitted 4-speed overdrive autos. It's very popular in the Stag fraternity i believe, using the ZF 4HP22 from the later Range Rovers and similar. Volvo also used the same box on the 740 so that might be an option instead of the AW70/71 but for preference, the AW70 or 71 would be better.

[Stephen Edwin]

Originally Posted by laird scooby

plumbing fittings?

Nice reply ...

Now. I gave the superbly relevant suggestion of checking for anything even better. Otherwise Othen might have had an ongoing niggle as to what might have been.

BUT. For the avoidance of doubt. I would not deride David's proposed fittings.



Comrade Stephen Edwin




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[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

Nice reply ...

Now. I gave the superbly relevant suggestion of checking for anything even better.


Comrade Stephen Edwin

Yes but only after i'd already provided the link to the hydraulic fittings!