Hello from new member from Dublin

Post by **macplaxton** » 09 Feb 2008 03:40 am

Hi all.

My name is Rich and I own a DAF 66. I've also owned a Volvo 240 estate and had the pleasure to borrow on occasionally a friend's 340. Unfortunately he's had to replace it (by order of his OH) with a Golf

I've consider getting a 340 variomatic to add to the stable, but I'm not sure if my OH would tolerate it

The other consideration is forthcoming import tax changes which may make it prohibitive.

Anyway, I hope to pop by from time to time to share and exchange variomatic knowledge.

Cheers

Post by **filthyjohn** » 09 Feb 2008 04:00 am

Welcome to the forum!
Lets see some pictures of your DAF then, rare beasts indeed. If you need any knowledge about variomatics, you've come to the right place, there are some members who are extremely well acquainted with all the elastic band gubbins.

Post by **classicswede** » 09 Feb 2008 01:45 pm

My dad has a few volvo 66's that look like they are going to end up being broken. I also have so odd new bits and bobs if you need anything. I'm only a short boat trip away from you

Post by **foggyjames** » 09 Feb 2008 01:53 pm

Welcome! CVT knowledge is always particularly welcome.

cheers

James

Post by **macplaxton** » 09 Feb 2008 08:40 pm

Here's the car that should have gone to the scrap yard:

(Picture as purchased)

(Picture July 2007)
I bought it for £120 with 7 months MOT back in Nov 2004, but it was a complete shed and was run into the ground by me. It then spent 2 years or so off the road. Since then I had some boot floor surgery and sills done, completely renewed the brakes and overhauled the transmission. It still looks a complete shed, but at least it's a roadworthy one now. I'm currently doing a head gasket job on it and had the head overhauled. Hopefully in the next few years I can throw some more obscene amounts of money at it and turn my attention to the upper bodywork.

It was exported by me from the UK in June 2007.

Post by **foggyjames** » 09 Feb 2008 08:56 pm

That looks familiar...

cheers

James

Post by **Chris_C** » 09 Feb 2008 09:23 pm

I'd got damn attached to that green car, I'm glad they are rare, else I think I'd have one by now!!!

Post by **filthyjohn** » 09 Feb 2008 10:43 pm

Loving the tatty faded yellowness, don't waste money on a respray whatever you do. I agree Chris, if they were more readily available I'd probably have a few by now

Post by **trabitom99** » 09 Feb 2008 11:47 pm

I agree with John, leaving the exterior as it is is a good option! A bit of patina can look great on an old car

Tom

Post by **macplaxton** » 10 Feb 2008 12:07 am

Much as I'd like to leave it, a load of cellulose went on the rear half of it and sills after repairs. Other non-structural holes were (temporarily) fibre-glassed up and painted with some yellow Smoothrite. If I do respray it when all the panels that need repairing are repaired. It'll be done with the rest of the tin of cellulose I have and with a bit of deliberate orange peel for that authentic factory look. Modern paints don't look right.

Restoration shall not destroy the "lived in" look.

Post by **filthyjohn** » 10 Feb 2008 12:22 am

Excellent! Modern two pack paint doesn't give that period look, and I personally love the lived-in feel, like an old pair of trusty jeans.

Post by **classicswede** » 10 Feb 2008 12:04 pm

macplaxton wrote: It'll be done with the rest of the tin of cellulose I have and with a bit of deliberate orange peel for that authentic factory look. Modern paints don't look right.

Restoration shall not destroy the "lived in" look.

The 66's had a fairly smooth paint finish compared to modern cars. You will not get much of an orange peel look with celly paint as it need to be aplied very thinly and flows out very well. 2 pack does give the orange peel look but with good aplication etc can be made perfectly flat.

Post by **petefarrell360** » 12 Feb 2008 02:00 am

Excellent stuff indeed! I have a 340 CVT and love it for how different it is, such a misunderstood and unliked transmission, but it works so well, if only the revs were a little lower at speed! When maintained properly and looked after it is very reliable as I'm sure you know. I think I too would own a 66 by now if I wasn't involved too deeply with the 300's and they were easier to find.

It's certainly been interesting learning how the CVT system works, as before I owned one it was very difficult to understand. However I've learnt from doing the work, Andy and myself replaced the clutch in mine as the first job. We've since done another in another car and we were much quicker and clued up as to what we were doing and the problems to look out for.

Pete

Post by **classicswede** » 12 Feb 2008 01:54 pm

I love teh CVT and like autos in general but the power they sap is a no for me. I quite fancy a 66 with CVT but my mind always starts wandering - 2.3 turbo manual box slammed roof chop, I'd better stop there. Luckily for teh 66 population I doubdt it will ever happen. If only I could have a car and not modify it