My old Volvo

[parklife87]

I first posted on this forum last week, as i was looking to purchase a 340 1.7 or a 360. I said i would be looking over the next couple of months however, i can be fairly impatient when i decide i want something! Anyway, a couple of days, a couple of ebay bids, and a 400 mile round trip later, i have a 340 1.7 GLE sat on the drive, and a less than happy missus (apparently its too soon for jokes )

I was really pleased with the car, it is in really good condition (bar dents in two doors!) The interior is perfect, i cant find any rust, the engine bay is immaculate and everything works

Shes done 83000 miles and i drove it 200 to get it home (RAC on speed dial ) and didnt miss a beat.

so, now i have it back here are my plans;

First things first, a good service
Change oil
filters
Spark plugs
and so on

Then a good tidy up
I have dents in the two passenger side doors which will need replacing so i shall be on the look out on here
there's a slight leak in the sunroof that needs some attention
I want to paint the bumpers, grill and mirrors black
will definitely be lowering to a couple of inches
some nice show alloys
Wouldn't mind a cheeky spoiler for it too!

While im doing this, i will be on the lookout for a 1.7 turbo to swap in. it something i want to do when things get a bit warmer so im in no rush at the moment. I have never actually done this before, however i do know a fair bit about cars and have a few friends that have swapped engines in the past. Hopefully this should go ok.

in the mean time, does anyone have any further suggestions to get the most out of the standard engine?

I only have the pictures from the ebay listing at the moment but i will post some more when i get chance.

Thanks

Luke

[SteveP]

Well bought! That was quick

I do have a pair of good passenger doors (will have to check that someone else hasn't got dibs on them though) They are in silver though so would need repainting.

[Chris_C]

I had half an eye on that one, didn't look bad apart from the doors. Don't forget the dizzy cap and arm, they are pretty much a 12month service item.

Bits from a 440 KP engine will give you another 10 ponies, but hardly worth it if you are looking to do an engine swap.

[volvosneverdie]

Looks canny dude.
Aye, a good service is a good start for getting the best out of the car.
But a swaps the best way to wrangle more horses.

[parklife87]

possibly interested in the doors. I would prefer them from the same colour car but let me know if they become available, thanks.

Dizzy cap and arm already on my to do list. Work will commence this weekend (weather depending!)

I am really pleased with the car, especially as I only paid £225

The swap is definitely on the cards. This isnt my main car. I have my pride and joy (Honda Civic) as my work horse so im in no particular rush to get this car done. Its a project that I want to be done properly and would like to swap the engine when warmer. Plus that gives me time to search for the best engine.

[Chris_C]

Worth noting there are 2 versions of the 1.7T, both have there for's and against's. Set of 400 green books is handy when making the choice tbh, which are available on t'internet (most likely 480 europe, but think I found more somewhere else once)

[parklife87]

Worth noting there are 2 versions of the 1.7T, both have there for's and against's. Set of 400 green books is handy when making the choice tbh, which are available on t'internet (most likely 480 europe, but think I found more somewhere else once)

ah, thanks for the info. i was not aware that there were two! I believe further research is required


How much do you thing i should look to pay? I will be looking in the usual places, ebay, autotrader, pistonheads and the occasional trip to the local scrappy

[volvosneverdie]

Worth noting there are 2 versions of the 1.7T, both have there for's and against's. Set of 400 green books is handy when making the choice tbh, which are available on t'internet (most likely 480 europe, but think I found more somewhere else once)

ah, thanks for the info. i was not aware that there were two! I believe further research is required


How much do you thing i should look to pay? I will be looking in the usual places, ebay, autotrader, pistonheads and the occasional trip to the local scrappy

Ebay turn quite a few Turbo engines. Valvers too. Ive been looking activly for more than a year and there seem to be common.
Pricey though. And always very far away (the law of sod). Once you factor in shipping, or collection money, youre usually best off in person at a local scrappy (if you can wait/get lucky).
How much to pay? As little as possible.

[Chris_C]

Pay is all up in the air atm. The 480 boys seem even more stressed about their cars getting broken than we do about 300's getting tramped, yet their "scene" is nothing like as active and has gone downhill in the last few years. However, 480 prices seem to be higher than ever, and engines have been going for a silly amount at times.

I'd look out for 440 and 460 turbos, they rust as well as a 300, so get a knackered one with a days MOT left and not likely to pass another without a stupid amount of work, drive it home and strip it will probably be your cheapest option. To save yourself hassle get a manual rather than an auto otherwise you'll be hunting for flywheels. There are at least 3 UK B18FT projects as well as one euro ones that are known about, mine and Husky's have enough pictures to show you where you need to go. The third is on driftworks but seemed a hell of a bodge, then again it's roadworthy and mine isn't

[parklife87]

Pay is all up in the air atm. The 480 boys seem even more stressed about their cars getting broken than we do about 300's getting tramped, yet their "scene" is nothing like as active and has gone downhill in the last few years. However, 480 prices seem to be higher than ever, and engines have been going for a silly amount at times.

I'd look out for 440 and 460 turbos, they rust as well as a 300, so get a knackered one with a days MOT left and not likely to pass another without a stupid amount of work, drive it home and strip it will probably be your cheapest option. To save yourself hassle get a manual rather than an auto otherwise you'll be hunting for flywheels. There are at least 3 UK B18FT projects as well as one euro ones that are known about, mine and Husky's have enough pictures to show you where you need to go. The third is on driftworks but seemed a hell of a bodge, then again it's roadworthy and mine isn't

Thanks for the info. I shall just keep searching until i find one, as i say, no rush!

Iv been reading quite a few posts on this forum and it seems as though it wont be too much of a task. I really want to get her in mint condition though before hand.

[MCHUDD]

Hi mate.
You got a lot off car there for little money. Good luck with the conversion.
Cheers Mark.

[parklife87]

hey guys

long time no post! Iv not had any spare time due to work, but today i thought a little tlc was in order.

Gave her a nice little service, changed a few bits and gave her a clean. Then thought it was time for a run!

1.5 miles later i was pushing her off the road

Straight the way it seemed to be an electrical issue. Checked the distributor cap and noticed it was a bit past its best
I also checked to see if there was a spark, which there was however it didnt look great so iv been trying to get a few parts.

Iv just got a new roto arm. Im after a distributor cap and a coil pack. Any one know the best place to go for the parts?

Thanks in advance

Luke

[parklife87]

I have managed to get the parts from ECP. Hopefully will have them by the weekend to fit them and get her on the road again!

My next job is to replace the brakes. Iv found a few bits on FleaBay but wanted to double check on here first. Will the following discs fit a 1.7? There a great price so i will be extremely pleased if i can use these.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Thanks

Luke

[Speedy88]

Yes they will fit, go nuts.

[parklife87]

cheers mate, dont mind if i do!