Hello to you too (if you meant me that is )!

I don't actually own a 66, I have a 55. Well sort of: it's actually a modified 46, but with the 4 cylinder engine and made to look like a 55.
It also features a B14 engine and a V343 manual gearbox. Basically it drives like a 340 manual only 250 Kg lighter.

But anyway: i checked my parts book, and I'm afraid to say that you're right shimon340: the parts number vary.
Durableswedish: if you can't find a new gasket set: email info@dafhobby.nl, they have a b130 headgasket set (It basically includes any gasket that's on your head) and will probably ship to where you are. They're Dutch though, so you'll have to pay in hard currency (NO dollars ).

hi there!

thanks for your reply! ah shame... I'll have to get some B13 head sets as spares separate to the 340 stuff.

55... very nice! I always think it is a shame volvo didnt keep making the 66 coupe as well as the estate and saloon. the 55 usually has the 1.1 4 cylinder water cooled unit? Interesting the B14 66s but having a manual is extra cool. I thought of doing that when I was offered a 66 which had been sat in an orchard for 7 years unstarted. I thought a manual 66 would be interesting! however, the restoration work of the other cars took my time instead!!

May I ask which country you are in? Holland? UK?

The Daf 46 is interesting as volvo kept making the 46 badged as a Daf even after they bought Daf in 75 (76??) The daf 66 was reengineered by volvo. Seems they didnt do much to the 46. I've got a volvo /daf 46 parts manual published by volvo in 1976 I think. The volvo built 46s are pretty rare to find.

the daf club of Holland is great for parts and also have some 343 stuff too. Toon, their parts chap, used to work for Daf parts so knows many part numbers by heart!
Danny (Dafhobby) is a great chap and very helpful too.

look forward to hearing from you

Shimon

I'm in Holland; in the UK any DAF is as rare as hen's teeth, so modifying an original car in the UK would be a shame. Around here there's plenty.

Yes, a 55 has a 1.1 version of the B130 and B14 engines, packing a hefty 45 HP punch. My car was based on a 46, because it had the rounded front wings like a 55, but the underpinnings of the 66 (with the de Dion axle and leaf springs). Also, 46's are dirt cheap here.
A manual gearbox conversion is easier to carry out on a 66 (just change the engine, clutch and gearbox), but I think a 55 looks better .
But yeah, the manual box rocks. It's much nippier than normal variomatics. Gets better mileage too.

I thought you had to be a member of the club to buy parts from the DCN: dafhobby is the only one i think that's open to everyone. And Toon is scary: he really does know ALL the parts numbers.

Regarding the manual swap...I take it you just fit the 340 box and manual bellhousing, then shorten the prop shaft to fit?

Very cool

cheers

James

And shorten the gear linkage at a guess... which would be the less fun part

Sounds an awesome car, I'd love a go at sticking a 1.7 in one, super go-kart!

Well, it's basically a 343 gearbox with different mounts, attached to a shortened prop. I think it uses a CVT bellhousing with manual innards, because the manual bellhouse won't clear the firewall. I'll try to get some pics up soon.

It's very much the same car as a 340 in terms of general layout and workings: the main technical difference is the torsion bar front suspension.
So it also features the engine slung out in front of the front wheels: any plans for engine swaps are going to be for very light engines (Suzuki swift GTI engine, or a K series). Would make a awesome drift car tho, although it's maybe a bit too light.

I'm on the hunt for a head rebuld kit...the only one i've found is from NL for $150USD. You guys said that 1289 (1.3L) engine is in all the little renaults over there, do you have a parts store that can get a head rebuild kit for a reasonable price? Over here we have chain parts stores that have parts pretty cheap, is there something like that in the UK? can someone see if they can get a 1.3L head rebuild kit for me? that would be very useful!

Tried UK eBay, Collan?

cheers

James

yeah, lots for the 1.4, no head kits for the 1.3 though
edit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0216782075 that looks like it from the US...$100 is about as much as the NL one though...

hi

you've reminded me to go hunting for some 1.3 rebuilt kits for a volvo 66. Ive got on needing an engine rebuild so that sort of thing will come in useful....havent found any yet but the renault 12 etc search is useful

you might enjoy this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zorKQiwIGg

my dad forwarded that to me friday

the volvo 66 was made from 75 to 84 although in thr UK imports stopped in 78 or 79. The one in thsat video is a dutch one and the seats are 340 esque....the early one have solid head restraints.

if the rain holds off, Im installing a new vacuum pipe and rubber tubing for the secondary units tomorrow...and a fuel tank. hopefully that car can then go to the volvo show..

seems there are a number of volvo 66 vids on youtube now.

happy watching

good luck with the 66!

keep us posted here please with your progress!!

where was your car originally imported from?

kind regard

shimon

inspiration for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUW5F05D ... re=related

very cool.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8Azqtom ... re=related

good news! I found an engine gasket kit from a guy in California for $60USD shipped to me I'm working on removing a broken head stud to fix the nasty vacuum leak. I noticed the transmission is leaking something too. what is the main gasket that usually leaks on the vario? I think its coming from the box between the pullies, I need to blast it with a hose to see exactly where it's coming from. I just sent an e-mail to Danny because his web page says he's got rebuilt calipers and wheel cylinders. The brakes on the 66Gl SUCK! They are the only thing keeping me from driving the car around. I've got a guy here in town that made me a SS braided rear brake line, I need to get some money so he can make the fronts for me too. Once the calipers and stuff come in, hopefully the brakes will be sorted out and I can drive it around.

On a side note, is there a "big" auto parts store over there in UK/Europe that has parts for cars for sale? Here in the US we have a bunch of them. They can get parts for most common cars. Just wondering if anyone can look and try and see if they can get parts for my car that I don't have to ship from Holland...

We don't have stores like you guys do....and especially not for old stuff. eBay is usually the best source, worryingly...

cheers

James

where do you get tune-up parts or replacement new parts then? dealerships?

For replacement parts, I usually go either to my local parts shop, to Volvo, or order online. This place

http://www.autoteile-shopping.de/default.asp?lang=en

can be fairly slow with their deliveries, but they're a good source for cross-referencing parts, and seeing which aftermarket parts suit your car. They list the '76 Volvo 66 as well ...

Tom