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Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 20 Nov 2014 10:49 am
by cms206
Hi folks,

Another newbie here from just outside Glasgow; done Volvos more or less since I started driving and my eighth one arrived last week; a 5-door 1983 340GL 1.4 manual. It's a bit scabby but initial inspection reveals three bits of rust which are upsetting - one hole at the base of the offside B pillar, the battery tray and a small bleb in the door shut of the nearside rear door. Other issues include a broken door hinge, torn drivers seat back, very stiff gear selection and binding brakes and a lack of spark.

Mechanically it's a 68k mile 1.4DL with 4-speed manual transmission and it was supplied new by Westfield Volvo of Greenock on March 17th 1983.

It's been resident of a garage in Pollokshaws since February 1997 when it was parked up. My neighbour who works in a local car breakers gave me the nod about it and negotiations took place, ultimately resulting in me being sent a photo of it sat outside my house. It seems a pretty original old crate if giffered up and fingers crossed the sodding thing'll run again.

I'm basically here because the lads on the Autoshite forums reckoned you guys were top bananas. For those who are on flickr or Autoshite I'm cms206 on there too.

A few pics for perusal - I know threads are useless without pictures. Excuse the quality please, I'll update better when it's been dragged up to the workshop.


Cheers!

Andy

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 20 Nov 2014 12:10 pm
by MCHUDD
Hi mate and welcome.
I have an 81 and an 83 here in in Belfast. Great cars. You should be able
to put that back on the road soon. Great looking spare wheel :lol:
Cheers Mark.
sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 20 Nov 2014 02:08 pm
by bogbasic
Hello, yes, its a nice-looking car - those pale blue ones are pretty.

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 20 Nov 2014 11:16 pm
by macplaxton
Hello and welcome Andy. sm4

Unfortunately my white one got a bit bent, but it'll be back again soon. In the meantime I'll have to sort out my BX when I'm over your direction probably around Christmas.

If you're not fussed about originality, would you say no to some decent seats from a later car if I can fit them in car somehow?

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 23 Nov 2014 06:50 pm
by cms206
Thanks for the welcome guys!
macplaxton wrote:Hello and welcome Andy. sm4

Unfortunately my white one got a bit bent, but it'll be back again soon. In the meantime I'll have to sort out my BX when I'm over your direction probably around Christmas.

If you're not fussed about originality, would you say no to some decent seats from a later car if I can fit them in car somehow?

Yeah I saw Abby... not so good man. Looked a sore one. I'd never say no to bits, obviously I'd like to keep it as original as possible but ultimately it's a grubby car so needs must.


In other news... it's still not running! The HT kinglead seems to be made of unobtainium, it's a Bougicord 403 item but even Bosch haven't managed to get me a correct set (340 1.7 ones don't fit!). Other than that it's just the long road to recommissioning.


Cheers guys!


Andy

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 23 Nov 2014 08:12 pm
by macplaxton
There's nothing special about that HT lead. I'll measure Abby's as your car is a points one isn't it? (Coil by rad?)

That's the "continuous development" conundrum where parts change all the time. Aftermarket catalogues can't keep up with it and are frequently wrong. Coils have moved all over the place: Dead early and it's on the side of the block, then it was moved to the passenger side bulkhead, then it went the side of the rad and then the Renix unit came along. Same with the vacuum valve on the Varios. Can think of at least three places it has been off the top of my head....

Anyway, when did car accessories shops stop having racks with single HT leads on them in incrementally longer lengths?

I'll work it how I'll get these seats in the car. At least it can look a bit more respectable until the correct sort of covers turn up. First I need solve fitting my old Paddy Hopkirk rack to a Honda Jazz :oops: . I think I just need some longer clamps for it (and find a replacement rubber pad, lost the fecker). Then the roofbox can go on.

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 23 Nov 2014 08:26 pm
by cms206
macplaxton wrote:There's nothing special about that HT lead. I'll measure Abby's as your car is a points one isn't it? (Coil by rad?)

That's the "continuous development" conundrum where parts change all the time. Aftermarket catalogues can't keep up with it and are frequently wrong. Coils have moved all over the place: Dead early and it's on the side of the block, then it was moved to the passenger side bulkhead, then it went the side of the rad and then the Renix unit came along. Same with the vacuum valve on the Varios. Can think of at least three places it has been off the top of my head....

Anyway, when did car accessories shops stop having racks with single HT leads on them in incrementally longer lengths?

I'll work it how I'll get these seats in the car. At least it can look a bit more respectable until the correct sort of covers turn up. First I need solve fitting my old Paddy Hopkirk rack to a Honda Jazz :oops: . I think I just need some longer clamps for it (and find a replacement rubber pad, lost the fecker). Then the roofbox can go on.

Sure is a points one, coil by the radiator; it's a weird setup, both ends are the same but every king lead I've had so far either fits at one end or not at all (two very thin ends, maybe 10mm total across; the lead I need has quite wide ends so to speak, maybe 18mm or so?).


If the seats don't fit don't worry about it, it's never likely to be minty fresh but no holes is better than ripped seats!

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 23 Nov 2014 08:34 pm
by macplaxton
cms206 wrote:If the seats don't fit don't worry about it
I won't, but I'm quite good at packing things in...you have a PM.

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 12:07 pm
by MCHUDD
Hi mate.
That roof box can hold lots of goodies :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Cheers Mark.
sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 09:53 pm
by SteveP
Ah I posted up on your thread on AS. I thought it might be running by now? ;) :lol:

Re: Newbie from Glasgow

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 10:36 am
by cms206
SteveP wrote:Ah I posted up on your thread on AS. I thought it might be running by now? ;) :lol:

Not yet! Had a busy week moving my brother in law up from Exeter so I've only managed to spend a couple of hours or so on it so far; not sure how far I'll get as my best mate of many years passed away aged 29 on Saturday morning so everything's gone mad :(

Not giving up yet... !