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1970's & '80s Volvos

220 messages,  Last post on Jan 07, 2008 at 11:20 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volvo 240, Sedan

Messages Page 22 of 22

#211 of 220 1970 Volvo 144S by colloquor

Jan 06, 2008 (6:46 pm)

FWIW . . . here's a relatively recent shot of my 1970 Volvo 144S, 4-speed with many IPD parts. Still a daily driver after all of these years!
 
I know it's been a long time since a post on this thread, so I thought I'd post this.
 

#212 of 220 my car! by stickguy

Jan 06, 2008 (7:44 pm)

Other than the IPD stuff, and it being a '69, that is exactly like the car my foks owned when I learned to drive (they had it from '68 to '79). I learned at the tail end of it's time with us.
 
I still miss that car...

#213 of 220 Re: my car! [stickguy] by colloquor

Jan 06, 2008 (8:01 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 06, 2008 7:44 pm)
When they define tank, I think the Amazon-series (122S), and the 140-series qualify. Structurally, these cars are tanks, and built like it. Thankfully, the mechanicals (engine, suspension, etc.) are not quite stock on this 144S, and it runs very well. Plus, it's so simple to work on, compared to today's rolling computers, that I truly enjoy the work.
 
My younger brother had a '69 144S, but with the B18 (1.8L) engine, and the B/W automatic - it was a real slug, but safe and reliable.

#214 of 220 Re: my car! [colloquor] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 06, 2008 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: colloquor (Jan 06, 2008 8:01 pm)
'69 was a transition year of sorts. The '70 is better I think. You have the short gearshift or the long one?

#215 of 220 Re: my car! [Mr_Shiftright] by colloquor

Jan 06, 2008 (8:31 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 06, 2008 8:24 pm)
Hi Shifty - The long (direct) one. Here's a shot of the dash - Volvo Competition Dept. gauge cluster, and Nardi leather steering wheel. The wheel's leather needs to be re-dyed black, as it's faded over the past 3+ decades.
 

#216 of 220 Re: my car! [colloquor] by hpmctorque

Jan 06, 2008 (8:39 pm)

Nice Volvo! How many miles has your car gone and, aside from the modifications you alluded to, is the engine original?

#217 of 220 Re: my car! [colloquor] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 06, 2008 (8:47 pm)

Replying to: colloquor (Jan 06, 2008 8:31 pm)
Nice front office, very clean and functional. I was just laughing to myself though looking at the fan knob on the far right, wondering how many times it's come off in your hand.
 
I really like 140s, but I hated those biodegradable knobs and the exhaust systems always falling off.
 
Did you get metal timing gears in there? I"m SURE you have an IPD camshaft--the B20 needs camshaft help.
 
These ARE easy cars to work on. I can't think of anything that's really hard to tackle on them. Well I guess banging out those teensy-weensy U-Joints were a hassle. Could they have made them any smaller?

#218 of 220 Re: my car! [hpmctorque] by colloquor

Jan 06, 2008 (9:01 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 06, 2008 8:39 pm)
Not too many . . . only 86,169 original miles on this one. Yes, the engine is original, but not stock, per se. It is the original B20B, but blueprinted, and balanced. The head has had quite a bit of flow work. Instead of the original "C grind" camshaft, it uses a D cam which is still very tractable on the street. It uses HS6 SU carbs with Grose fuel metering valves, instead of the OEM Stromberg CDSE's and uses a 122S aluminum intake manifold and Volvo Competition Dept. tubular headers. Both timing gears are steel - noisier than the steel/fibre combination of the OEM set-up, but much more reliable. And, I am presently changing out the D cam for one of IPD's torque grind cams. Shifty - yes, the original Volvo cams were very soft, and it wasn't unusual for the lobes to be wiped in very few miles.
 
The clutch is a heavy duty Sachs clutch and pressure plate with a lightened IPD flywheel. The engine was kept reasonably close to stock, as the 122S used the D cam, but I got rid of the troublesome Strombergs, and the combined intake/exhaust of the original design. I had tried Weber DCOE's back in the '70s, but went back to the SU's. When properly set up, a good set of SU's are fine.
 
The primary improvements are in the suspension area. The suspension uses shorter, and higher spring rates, IPD coil springs, larger front sway bar, a rear sway bar, and Bilstein competition dampers. Also, a custom IPD air dam is on the front, and driving lights on the front bumper. The wheels are 15" ATS from the '70s, and the tires 185/70VR15.
 
Yes, the knobs do tend to come off in your hand, especially the fan knob. Soft knobs for crash safety - right!!

#219 of 220 Re: my car! [colloquor] by colloquor

Jan 06, 2008 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: colloquor (Jan 06, 2008 9:01 pm)
Here are a couple of other pieces of my Swedish Iron, although from a different origin in Sweden - sorry Volvo owners! Top: 1985 SAAB 900 8-valve, 5-speed; Bottom: 1987 SAAB 900S 16-valve, Borg-Warner 3-speed Automatic (Ugh!) - now my college-age daughter's car).
 

 

 
I guess I'm a Swedish Iron masochist at heart! However, I do have two much newer Asian cars to revert to when needed (when I'm not under the Swede's re-working something). As usual for the average car nut, too many cars, and not enough garage space!

#220 of 220 Re: my car! [colloquor] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 07, 2008 (11:20 am)

Replying to: colloquor (Jan 06, 2008 9:01 pm)
Yes SUs are really good carburetors, much better than the hateful Strombergs and much more efficient and easy to live with than the Webers---which tend to over-fuel the engine and are really fussy to get right. SUs have only 3 moving parts!

Messages Page 22 of 22

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