My first Volvo! A long wanted 145!

[WPR678B]

Originally Posted by Tattyoldvan

any more progress, want to see it driving around the area soon!

Yes, but not as much as i would like! I have been a bit slow at updating this thread and my connection is not very good at the mo so picture uploading is painful, but i will see what i can do later......
I have also had other commitments recently that have kept me away from it but fear not, i want it on the road before the end of January (other cars mot time) so i will be pushing on as and when i am able!

[WPR678B]

A couple of pictures of poor quality (mobile phone!). I have now finished the wheel wells and the back half of the arches.
Just the drivers side arch front to repair and then onto the drivers front corner.
I have the front bumper off ready and some of the bolts out of the front wing and valance as they both need to come off for repair if i can find no replacements soon ;o)
The exhaust looked new as all the stickers etc were still on it, but when i tried to remove it it just fell to bits! I knew it was blowing, but thought i could save it, but alas not!
Anyone have any input as to replacement systems?
I have seen the ads for the stainless system (i intend to keep the car!) but any first hand experience of them? Quality, noise, cracking etc?

[Snowman]

When my original system fell off, I got hold of a Simons Sport System from Brookhouse, that was in mild steel. I've since replaced it with a bespoke stainless system that was made and fitted in Bristol. That does without the two 90 degree turns after the axle and now comes out dead straight on the right as you look at the car from the rear. I did that to miss a fuel tank guard.

Nice thing with stainless is that supposedly, it's done for good. Mine made up from scratch with two silencers was about £300 from memory, sounds so much better as well!

[WPR678B]

More pictures (taken on my phone again so excuse the quality please!) of todays progress.
Not a lot got done as i'm on "light duties" after a minor op to ensure i don't need a 7 seat conversion for the 145 if you get my drift! ;o)
I removed the front wing and grille and spent most of the day cleaning off underseal and fabricating repair panels for the front valance as the most of it is very good and just the ends need repair so i am going to fix it due to the absence of a replacement!
I will probably also repair the pictured front wing as once again it is really good where its not rusty, but where it is gone its pretty bad with plenty of pin holes as i hope the pictures show.
Don't get me wrong, i would always prefer to repair an original panel than fit a replacement, its just that it is so time consuming getting it "right"!

[john h]

Well if you're used to doing Morris Minors, that Volvo's pretty much "as new"!

The structural areas look quite good. Have you had a close look at the chassis rails? It is worth dropping the cross member. Mine were good everywhere, except they were holed where mud and moisture gets trapped between the cross-member and the rail.



Yeah, that front valance should repair nicely.

Do you need to cut and weld around the bonnet hinge mounts? It's hard to tell how deep that rust is on the photo. Unusual if it doesn't need a repair there - that's a favourite place for them to go.

Keep up the good work and I hope you get over the snip soon!

John

[WPR678B]

Thanks for the heads up on the chassis rails, i will give them a good checking over as i must admit i haven't ventured that far in yet for a good poke around!
The hinge mount has some holing but nothing terminal! The other side was worse and that repaired up ok so i'm hoping this side will be a doddle.
I do feel honoured to have such a structually solid and original car and as you rightly say John, compared to some of the Minors i've worked on it is as good as new!!

[WPR678B]

Well a little more progress today! Had to service the Minor pick up before i could start on the Volvo!
I have offered up the New Old Stock front wing that arrived in the week and used this as a template for the bottom edge of the front valance as both the original wing and valance were so far gone on the bottom front corners that i had no reference to go by!
Now i've done it, i'm beginning to wonder if its right or not!
If anyone can post a picture up of the original shape of this joint that would be great as the more i look at it, the more i'm sure its not right but it will have to do for now!
I also cleaned up the surface rust on the inner wing and plugged a couple of pin holes.
The bonnet hinge area is shown more clearly in these pictures and although amazingly good, there is a section i need to do. I have given it all a quick coat of etch primer to protect it from the damp until next week!

[940_Turbo]

New unmolested front panel

[WPR678B]

Thanks for that. Is there any chance of a picture of it looking down on it, or if it was mounted on the car, looking from a rabbits eye view seconds before impact?

[940_Turbo]

Originally Posted by WPR678B

Thanks for that. Is there any chance of a picture of it looking down on it, or if it was mounted on the car, looking from a rabbits eye view seconds before impact?

Sure, it'll take me a day or two, but I'll photograph it for you next week.