Garths ASSet

[garth]

Hi all,

I have finally bought a 340. She's a 2 door 1400cc 4spd on a carb, with boat like suspension. I travelled upto Warwick from South Wales yesterday to pick it up. Drives like a dream fair play. I was told it only had 36000 on the clock, but then he later admitted to me that the speedo was broke. I'm the 3rd owner, and it sows too. The red paint has faded a little, but the only bit of rust that I can see so far is on the end of the bonnet.



Plans are to keep it standard for the moment, except i'd like to lower her on the front and rear. Has Dai got any front lowering springs? I know where I can get the old gray stones lowering bloks from. I just really need to stiffen it up all round as she's a bit wobbly.

I'm also looking for a set of 4 Weller steelies in 13'' or Minilights in 13''. I know it's what other people do, but I do like the look of them on these cars.

The 1400cc engine is a tad slow, and I'm affraid of reving it when getting a bit sideways. Are the 1700cc lumps better? They're obviously better for power.

So I'm now glad to be a part of the 300 mania.

[jtbo]

Congrats from joining to family

When you push front or rear corner down by help of your body's weight and then release it up, does it go up down up down or just rises up?

My car has new dampers all round and it just rises up, my 240 has shot front dampers and it is very easy to push corner down also it jumps up and down after releasing corner up, I would say at least 3-4 times before it settles.

With new dampers car should not be wobbly, but if you lower car with bad dampers it will be horrible to drive as it hits bump stops and pretends to be a roo instead of car

[kaos]

the 1400cc engine is a revvy little bastard! 7K! is hittable( mind you it screams at you about it)

suspension should bounce a couple of times really if the shocks are good as long as it levels itself out in the process and doesnt stay dipped in a corner or anything you'll be fine.

[garth]

No it just bounces once or twice. I know it's bog standard suspension, so I expect it. I've heard that Land Rover 90 rear shocks fit, and to open up the front leg and put engine oil in. Is this effective? Also some lower and stiffer springs would help too?

[jtbo]

Mine doesn't bounce even once, it just levels to neutral position, also drive is not wobbly at all, it is bit too stiff for long trips.

I have GLT springs and dampers, Gas Monroes at front and I think it was oil Monroes at rear, that is bit longer time ago than those were replaced, but car has not seen even 5000km with those.

Only thing it would use is rear ARB and stiffer front ARB.

But maybe it is because of low mileage, valves in dampers are perhaps rusted shut from no use

[pete-d]

In case you're interested, that car was originally registered in Bradford - that's the home of old style 'HD' registrations as far as I know.

Pete

[garth]

Tidy. I'm well chuffed with it. Got loads I want to do to her.

[garth]

Well today was judgment day, she was due for an mot, a guess what, she only failed by a very smal 2" bit of welding on the sill, horn didn't work, and 2 tires. Horn, Tires sorted before I even got home. Just need to get someone to crank up the mig and do a lil fettling. Not a problem. The tester said he couldn't believe that she was so mint for her age.

Bit gutting really, as i wanted to travel down country to buy a pair of wellers. second bit of guttingness I intended to buy new daps for the front in the form of a0539's anyway. Never mind.

[Bazboy]

good work on the mot, i am dreading my next one even though it shouldn't need too much work done, last one cost me close to 400 quid to get sorted lol.

[garth]

Welding done tomorrow (sunday), then back up to the mot station on tuesday. Wellers in stock the end of october then we'll be looking for a f7p.

[garth]

Welding done, a very good job too. I need to take some photos. Let me find my camera.

[garth]

Just a wee update for the most slow thread. I haven't given up on it, just been trying to build my rally car. I missed the wellers as I lost the internet when I moved out from home. Volvo's doing great, had loads of fun in it, been everywhere, and the snow was absolutely fantastic! I learnt loads of car control in it. Some of you know I have located a F7P with a possible williams bottom end. I don't know yet untill I go look at it which will be next weekend. Further to that, I'm trying to find a rotten 1.7 for spares. I need things like boot lock, bonnet, 5 speed box etc. Money is very tight at the moment, but even so I have enjoyed every minute of it in the standard car. As I use it as my road car, I'll have to wait untill my rally car is mot'd so I can use that if needs be. The volvo can then go in the garage and have work started on it. Got a few plans in my head, nothing massive, just when I've got spare cash and time to do bits on it.

Can I also say what a privilage it is to be part of such a tidy forum with no bullshit. Everyone on here is more than happy to help and give you advice. As I go along what I hope will be a complete project, I will no doubt be turning to you lot for help and guidance. I'll get some pics up as it is soon.

List for the future:-

Respray with new bonnet
Lowered 2" all round with stiffer shocks etc
Nice set of 13"'s (I know a lot of people do this)
More power in the form of the valver

Basically a clean 340 with nothing too drastic. What colours? I thought a nice gloss white would do the trick.

Pleasure

[volvosneverdie]

Cooool man.
Theres nowhere near enough gloss white beasts for my liking.

Very good choice sir.

[Andy P]

Nice car!

One thing to suggest - If/when you get wellers, don't paint them satin black with a red lip - it'll look HORRID! LOL



Andy P

[garth]

Roger Wilko. I do like a set of white wellers, it'll look nice with the car being white. A general note to everyone, keep an eye out for some or even minilites. Anyone know where they can get yellow fog lamps? I'm not the kind of guy who drives around with them on mind.