Dans 88' GLE :)

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Dan91
Posts: 121
Joined: 30 May 2011 12:30 am

Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by Dan91 » 18 Jan 2015 12:23 pm

So some of this might not make perfect sense as i posted it all up on Pistonheads first and it's copy & pasted from there, but hopefully most of it should make sense.

Hello there, I've owned various rubbish/semi interesting cars over the few years I've been driving.

My third car was a 1989 Volvo 340! It was awesome, had 40K Miles on the clock, two previous owners and was brilliant.

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I sold it after a few months because i wanted to tinker with/modify it and i couldn't bring myself to do it to such a clean example, im glad i sold it for that reason and it remained a clean original car but im sad because i really enjoyed the car!

I then owned various other cars over the last 3 or so years, nothing greatly noteworthy, a E46 328i Coupe, a Mk4 Escort Xr3, Two V6 Ford Cougars, An Mk1 MX-55 (Didnt like it, sorry PH!) And many other cheap cars to run about in.


Ever since owning that first 340 i've always had a keen eye on them on eBay and other sites, i came across one 10 minutes away from me in Bath, fresh new auction with 0 bids an no pictures, but described as a one owner car with low miles, I thought it's worth a look since it's so close and the advert probably put a few people off.
Went over to look, very nice chap selling it on behalf of his Father who'd past away a few years ago and wanted his garage back. Said he'd take £500 for it. Deal was done there and then, i went away and came back to pick it up, took it straight to work and it was sat in the yard for a few days while it got an MOT put on it and i taxed it.

26K Miles from new, one owner, lived it's whole life in Bath, GLE spec, top of the range, sunroof, heated leather, electric windows, central locking, the works :D

Pictures of when i got it back to the yard
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After a week it was taxed, MOT'd and Serviced, took my trusty VW Bora workhorse off the road to put up for sale and starting using the Volvo daily :)

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After about 2/3 weeks of using it every day i noticed a few things, it was rather bad on fuel compared to the old one and when i went round roundabouts or corners and got any sort of body-roll (Which is easy to do in these old boats) it would starve on fuel, after a bit of searching and research it would indicate the carb floats need replacing, not uncommon for them to wear out over time and absorb fuel.

So i decided to order some and get around to sorting it myself, how hard can it be?....

I took the car into work so i could use the workshop one Saturday, stripped it down and replaced the floats. Tip of the iceberg doesn't cover it First mistake i made was no just checking the carb over instead of replacing the floats, thinking 'job done' and bolting the bugger back on.

Got it back together and it ran like crap, spent a few hours working it out and realised im an idiot, and there was now a huge air leak coming from the base... crap. Common problem again with the Solex Z10 carbs, the bases warp due to over-tightened bolts. So i made the decision to strip it down myself and give it a bash..

I got the carb into bits, went ahead flatting the base out using wetted sandpaper taped to a flat metal surface, moving the carb in circular motions, behing ally it slowly flattened the base out.

Starting:
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Better:
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Better again:
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Sorted:
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Brilliant, right? The base was sorted and i was chuffed, i'd done it, all by myself! What i did next was an abortion. I put the carb back together in what i thought was the proper fashion, bolted it back on the car and it worked! For a day or so.

Then i spent a week or two diagnosing the million problems i'd caused, choke being terrible/not working, idle being iffy, overfueling etc etc.


I got frustrated in general with the car, decided to try and sell it, then decided that was a mistake and i liked the car i was just arsed off it wasnt working!

I sought more help on the Volvo 340 forums, a chap on there by the name of Mac is a genius with the Solex Z10 and had written many a guide regarding it.
I sent Mac a PM asking him if he fancied taking a look at it if/when he had the time spare if i had it courier'd up to him, he said he'd be happy to, couldn't promise it would be quick but that was fine by me, having somebody such as him take a look and tell me what i went wrong with would be great and i could get it back on the road!

So Monday this week i packed the Carb up and sent it up to Mac, leaving my poor Volvo sat on my drive feeling sad!

Come Tuesday evening i had a reply: (PM copied from the Volvo forums edited as need be)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evening Dan,

Carb arrived today (no "from" or return address but I presume it's from you)

Not sure if you expected this - but here goes ---------

Initial examination shows a moderately clean carburettor but with the following noted defects,

1. Float chamber vent incorrectly adjusted (with a closed throttle the vent should be open by 3mm.

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2. The base insulation block is cracked through (giving an air leak) and has been fitted without a gasket (only what seems to be Blue Hylomar). The secondary (thin) insulation block is not present.

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3. The primary venturi throttle plate sticks partially open,

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Dismantling revealed the further issues,

4. The choke cam tensioning spring is damaged,

5. The choke cam preload sprung ball is missing,

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6. The float height is grossly maladjusted (abuts the roof of the float chamber before sealing needle valve (would cause gross over fueling)

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7. Primary throttle shaft nut non standard.
8. Accelerator pump bleed off vent loose in housing,
9. Primary throttle plate screws loose,
10. Idle mixture CO% adjustment screw - missing - simply not fitted!
11. In-service upgrade never carried out on this carb (changes to float chamber venting, fitting dual spray Acc.pump jet, sealing pump vent).

I've fully dismantled the unit and passed all parts through my cleaning tank,

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I have found replacements for the damaged and missing parts from my stock,

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I shall carry out the rebuild over the next day or so and we can see what difference it all makes.
Could you let me have your postal name and address for returning.

Hope this makes interesting reading - best regards - Mac.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Could not thank him enough, what a brilliant bloke! I was shocked at my own mistakes but i guess that's what happens when you jump in with very limited knowledge on something, i dont regret it however, you learn as you go and im glad i attempted it.

Onto today, i get home from work to another message on the forums:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Dan,

Assembly completed today, missing parts replaced,
Float needle valve found to be a 1.6 - should be a 1.8 - correct 1.8 fitted.

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Carried out service upgrade and fitted dual spray accelerator pump jet, sealed pump chamber vent and fitted a ZY185 primary air emulsion tube.

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Using a gauge to set the float height,

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I have correctly adjusted the pneumatic choke pull off servo and set the choke cam clearance to 2.0mm on closed throttle.
The (replaced) idle mixture screw has been set to a basic "fully in and 2 turns out".
I have supplied new gaskets, both insulation plates, and a carb top to sit cleaner housing gasket.
I have also provided the correct foam seals for the securing bolt heads in the carb top.

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The finished item,

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When fitting the carb make sure the CC breather restrictor is still in place in the pipe between the carb and the "T" piece (replacement sent with carb). If the restrictor is missing you will need to make one - simple plastic plug in pipe with a 1.0mm hole drilled through it (limits the amount of unmetered air the carb can draw from the crankcase.

If you have access to a CO% meter set the idle CO to 1.0 - 1.5% @ 900rpm - if you don't, with a warm engine set the idle to about 500rpm and use the idle CO screw to obtain the fastest, smoothest idle you can - reset the idle speed to 850-900rpm.

Carb will be collected by TNT tomorrow for delivery to you Monday.
Let me know how you get on.

Mac.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheered me up hugely, a genuinely brilliant human being. I'm very much excited to get it back and get it fitted when time permits.

I really cannot say enough to thank Mac, he's a brilliant person over on the 340 forums and always helps people out whether it be guides or going to what i consider to be a lot of effort for somebody like myself who he's never actually met!

And im very happy to see people like this are still about and are giving that sort of support to cars they enjoy driving, i would've lost all faith and energy and sold it otherwise more than likely and then who knows where it have ended up.


I plan to keep this thread updated as i go, my immediate plans for the future are get the carb back on and get it running well again, then continue to enjoy it daily and waft around in retro leathery goodness :) In the future the plans are to maintain it and keep it original.

If you've made it this far i congratulate you, it's a lot of text for an old box of sweedish metal, but i like it and that's what counts.

Dan.

Dan91
Posts: 121
Joined: 30 May 2011 12:30 am

Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by Dan91 » 18 Jan 2015 12:24 pm

Popped over to Halfords this morning and picked up a few bits, decided to give the Volvo a wash since its been sat there looking sad collecting grime.

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Figured while the carb was off i could give the engine bay a clean a bit easier, i bought some gunk spray foam degreaser.

Before:
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Dizzy/etc covered up and spare wheel taken out, also took battery off as i'll take that to work with me this week and give it a full charge.
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Foamy foam: :D
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After:
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Not as clean as i was hoping but i really didnt put that much effort in, i gave it a light spray with the hose, covered it in the foam, let it sit and rinsed off, at some point i will spent a lot longer doing a proper job but for now it's better at least.



Then gave the outside a quick wash, nothing special but got the grime of it being sat there off. Didnt bother with the interior just yet as it's still full of tools/parts.

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Excited to get the back back tomorrow and hopefully put it all back together next weekend and start using it daily again :)



Jobs for the future :
- Drain and flush the cooling system and put fresh coolant in, sometime before summer.
- Sort out surface rust on wheels, or buy new wheels, very temped by a set of ATS Classics.
- Upgrade the speakers without having to cut anything/alter anything on the doorcards etc (A pain apparently as the standard speakers are very shallow)
- Full service, not due for a few thousand miles but i will get it done soon.
- Fully underseal
- Drive, and enjoy :)


Will do my best to keep this updated as i go.

Dan91
Posts: 121
Joined: 30 May 2011 12:30 am

Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by Dan91 » 18 Jan 2015 12:24 pm

So bit of an update, i woke up this morning expecting rain/snow/random acts of god, as thats usually my luck, but it was nice outside and i had all the bits now to put the car back together :)

I didnt get any pictures of the reassembly, sorry! Was focused on not cocking it up :D

Went back together, started up and ran till it was warm, lowered the idle down, adjusted the mixture best i could by ear then set the ideal back to 900rmp :) so far so good!

Then i went to chuck some fuel in and thought why not take it for a drive, i knew a local ish place for some pictures that i found when i was younger while navigating the rally stages of Wiltshire, like a young McRae.... ignore the fact i was in a 1.3L Mk5 Escort and it wasnt infact a rally stage but a nicely maintained country road :( I can pretend!

So yeah, all is good, car is running well and im a happy chappy. Put a big grin on my face getting to waft around in it again, once more i cant thank Mac from V3M Enough, he has helped massively to get it back on the road :) Turns out not everyone out there is an arsehole :D

Anyhow, pictures.

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Also spotted this around the corner, anyone able to work out what it is? ;) It's not faded red, it's actually pink, and it had no front wheels :D
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Oh also, Dial pictures for LeoZ :)
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macplaxton
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by macplaxton » 18 Jan 2015 03:16 pm

He's a top geezer is that Mac!

(must persuade him to do a Solex 32EHSA guide ;) )
72 DAF 44 Estate 78 Volvo 343DL Black BeautyImageImage
82 Volvo 343DL CVTImageImage 88 Volvo 340DL Diesel

MCHUDD
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by MCHUDD » 19 Jan 2015 05:52 pm

Hi mate.
Great looking motor. Love the petrol pumps. Very collectable.
Watch nobody nicks them :lol: :lol: :lol:
Cheers Mark.
sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69 sm69

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bogbasic
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by bogbasic » 19 Jan 2015 08:33 pm

The pink one - I've got the basket...

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....Vauxhall Cavalier Saloon mk1...

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... pretty definite, I think. Playing about with the contrast I can even see the filler cap cover in the right place...
vauxy.jpg
vauxy.jpg (47.06 KiB) Viewed 10343 times
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Dan91
Posts: 121
Joined: 30 May 2011 12:30 am

Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by Dan91 » 20 Jan 2015 04:45 pm

bogbasic wrote:The pink one - I've got the basket...

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....Vauxhall Cavalier Saloon mk1...

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... pretty definite, I think. Playing about with the contrast I can even see the filler cap cover in the right place...
vauxy.jpg

I hate to prove you wrong, but you're technically wrong ;) It's an Ascona.

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Same car in essence though :D

macplaxton
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by macplaxton » 20 Jan 2015 08:16 pm

Dan91 wrote:I hate to prove you wrong, but you're technically wrong ;) It's an Ascona.

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Same car in essence though :D
Well if you're gonna rain on bogbasic's parade, I'll rain on yours! :lol:

That last pic is an Ascona "C", which has a fuel filler flap lower and further back.

If it is an Ascona, then it's a "B" and given the bumpers an early one at that.
72 DAF 44 Estate 78 Volvo 343DL Black BeautyImageImage
82 Volvo 343DL CVTImageImage 88 Volvo 340DL Diesel

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bogbasic
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by bogbasic » 20 Jan 2015 08:34 pm

Well-spotted. That's a nice mark 2 cavalier with the bigger bumpers - went like rockets but the engines fell out. Anyone remember the Belmont?? Astra with a boot ;-0 Hacktually, that generation of Astra made some sort of return as the Daewoo Nexia, if I recall?
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Dan91
Posts: 121
Joined: 30 May 2011 12:30 am

Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by Dan91 » 20 Jan 2015 09:13 pm

macplaxton wrote:
Dan91 wrote:I hate to prove you wrong, but you're technically wrong ;) It's an Ascona.

Image

Same car in essence though :D
Well if you're gonna rain on bogbasic's parade, I'll rain on yours! :lol:

That last pic is an Ascona "C", which has a fuel filler flap lower and further back.

If it is an Ascona, then it's a "B" and given the bumpers an early one at that.
Well played sir, but yeah that was the first picture when i goggle'd ascona :)

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SteveP
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by SteveP » 21 Jan 2015 11:00 pm

Nice work Dan (and Mac!), must be pretty satisfying now you've got it sorted. Pleased you're keeping it, I kept looking at the ad! :lol:
1989 - Volvo 360 GLT
1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
2008 - Volvo S60 SE Lux

Dan91
Posts: 121
Joined: 30 May 2011 12:30 am

Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by Dan91 » 24 Jan 2015 06:49 pm

Cheers for the feedback, unfortunately it's likely to be a boring thread for a while, no big plans other than enjoy it currently :)

I may also try and make it to some shows this year, finances/work dependent.

Drove spot on over the last week to work and back and was great fun. Gave it a clean, polish and wax today. May clean the interior tomorrow.

I'm also considering in the summer when it's warmer to bit by bit take parts off, clean up and pain them, and refit them, replacing what is worn etc along the way. But anything i do get around to doing, will be updated on here :)

Cheers, Dan

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mac
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by mac » 25 Jan 2015 11:06 pm

Looks like problem solved! Glad you're pleased.

All the best - Mac.
88 5door Redline 1.7 52k - 19 XC60 Momentum Pro D4 AWD 17k
1950 pair of legs that don't work very well.

Dan91
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by Dan91 » 07 Mar 2015 02:25 pm

So since the last update, about two months ago I've driven/enjoyed it thoroughly :) Put about 3/4K Miles on it and cant fault it.

Been cleaning it every Saturday morning and just generally looking after it.

While browsing Ebay one night i came across a set of uprated Stainless/Kevlar HT Leads for a 340, no bids and one day left, put a bid in, 99P winning bid +£8 or so postage, less than a tenner for something that is usually £40, Bargain, Got a set of uprated speakers that fitted into the standard front slots with no altering the door card so got them fitted, think they cost around £17 :) Also stuck a new fuel filter on as forgot to get one when i serviced it when i got the car.

Anyhow, a few pictures :)


Saturday morning routine of cleaning it
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Who says RWD is no good in the snow, ;)
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Doing its work duties and helping me clear a load of crap out of the flat.
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New speakers fitted behind the standard covers
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Uprated HT leads :)
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Fresh fuel filter
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Plan is just to continue enjoying it and looking after it, ive had a fair few people say its stupid putting 1-2k miles a month on such a good example of a classic, In my opinion its a car, it's meant to be driven, the fact its a low mileage example was a bonus when i bought it and doesn't at all affect the way i use it, i use it every day and i take care of it, the same as if i had bought a 100k miles car :)

New tyres on the rear to come soon, other than that it needs nothing and ill just upgrade bits here and there as i go.

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bogbasic
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Re: Dans 88' GLE :)

Post by bogbasic » 08 Mar 2015 02:40 pm

Awesome work. Keep it up and with all that kevlar you could make a jacket to help finance the rest of your restoration - I jest /{^¿^}\
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

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