Hi all, quite some years ago, contrary to common sense, I purchased a non-runner 85 wagon that was in bits. B230E out, and head removed. It was dragged back to my parents property in rural Tas, and slow progress was made due to location, work, family, and a certain 2013 catastrophic bushfire event back at the family home. At the time I was restoring my 1970 1800E, a 68 VE Valiant, and daily driving a 63 AH Sprite, lost them all sadly. We rebuilt and I partially restored a 66 122S, then moved to the north of the state. Sold that and moved on to a 72 1800E restoration, which is well underway. Being closer to the parents, have recently revisited getting the old wagon mobile again. Thought I would share a few photos for interest sake, but also to make it real, and maybe give me a nudge and something to look back on every few years!

Nice. Are you planning on doing the engine wiring loom while you're at it?

    Good stuff. What's the wagon need to make 'er run?

    I'm in the middle of Project Big Red at present - also an '85 B230E K-Jet, but a 244 with M46.

      Roinik

      Nice. Are you planning on doing the engine wiring loom while you're at it?

      Maybe? I've read this era can be problematic? Last time I looked into it a few years ago, seemed the Dave Barton replacement was the way to go?

        Major Ledfoot

        Good stuff. What's the wagon need to make 'er run?

        I'm in the middle of Project Big Red at present - also an '85 B230E K-Jet, but a 244 with M46.

        I'm hoping a fuel system tidy up may be enough? Injectors soaking ATM, and some extra bits from @Roinik will be useful. She had a head rebuild a few years ago, but unfortunately wasn't put straight into service, so I'm prepared for brakes, diff, etc. Once running, the entire bottom lip of the tailgate hatch needs rust repair or replacement. I'd hope to slowly progress the project towards daily driving, but I'm realistic and patient :)

        I'd love to check out Project Big Red! Especially being a sibling year K-jet :)

            I can new wiring harnesses locally and cheaper

              ramrod

              I can new wiring harnesses locally and cheaper

              Good to know, I might be in the market for one sooner or later :)

                I make wiring harnesses too, I've done a few 85 240 B230E ones.

                VolDan

                https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/189713#Comment_189713

                I'm hoping a fuel system tidy up may be enough? Injectors soaking ATM, and some extra bits from @Roinik will be useful. She had a head rebuild a few years ago, but unfortunately wasn't put straight into service, so I'm prepared for brakes, diff, etc. Once running, the entire bottom lip of the tailgate hatch needs rust repair or replacement. I'd hope to slowly progress the project towards daily driving, but I'm realistic and patient :)

                I'd love to check out Project Big Red! Especially being a sibling year K-jet :)

                I have a bit of surplus K-Jet gear from the 242GT (The GoaT) which threw a leg out of bed about 30 kays from Devonport when I was bringing it home. The GoaT is getting LH 2.4 because K-Jet is just too romantic for me., and Big Red's K-Jet is running without issues (so far...) despite being parked for many years, so I'm not sure just yet if I'll need it. I also have a diff / rear end from a lowish mileage 78 244 that I'm not sure what to do with, so it's totally surplus.

                You may need to check the fuel tank's insides and get it cleaned - I got Radiators Plus in Shamrock St (next to Hungary Jacks) to purge the tank of its horrors and it's come up brilliantly, that was $350 well spent IMHO.

                Happy to be an extra pair of arms and legs and give you a hand if needed.

                    Major Ledfoot

                    https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/189715#Comment_189715

                    I have a bit of surplus K-Jet gear from the 242GT (The GoaT) which threw a leg out of bed about 30 kays from Devonport when I was bringing it home. The GoaT is getting LH 2.4 because K-Jet is just too romantic for me., and Big Red's K-Jet is running without issues (so far...) despite being parked for many years, so I'm not sure just yet if I'll need it. I also have a diff / rear end from a lowish mileage 78 244 that I'm not sure what to do with, so it's totally surplus.

                    You may need to check the fuel tank's insides and get it cleaned - I got Radiators Plus in Shamrock St (next to Hungary Jacks) to purge the tank of its horrors and it's come up brilliantly, that was $350 well spent IMHO.

                    Happy to be an extra pair of arms and legs and give you a hand if needed.

                    Thanks for the recommendation. Have a few tanks, cores, and radiators that need some love.

                    And thanks for the offer of help! Will pm you :)

                      5 days later

                      Cold start, AAV, and injectors cleaned up and back in, but one job leads to another. Suspect starter has been sitting too long, along with the rest of the car!

                      Started dismantling the starter on the bench at home. Got everything apart except the main case. Applied a penetrant, heat, and time, to the large screws, and still managed to break 2 driver bits trying to crack. Reassembled and dropped off at local auto-elec for a quote! Hopefully it's redeemable.

                      9 days later

                      Starter motor rebuild complete, ready to reinstall tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

                      She is looking good and good to see they rebuilt your original starter instead of selling you a new one. Not may people rebuild anything anymore

                      You need a good impact screwdriver set to remove the solenoid screws and sometimes also for the body screws. I haven't used this since I was an apprentice but its why I have it to rebuild starters as the screws are always UNBELIEVABLY tight as you found out

                        TL_V70

                        She is looking good and good to see they rebuilt your original starter instead of selling you a new one. Not may people rebuild anything anymore

                        You need a good impact screwdriver set to remove the solenoid screws and sometimes also for the body screws. I haven't used this since I was an apprentice but its why I have it to rebuild starters as the screws are always UNBELIEVABLY tight as you found out

                        https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/440/30867MK0II84.jpg

                        WHAt brand is that?

                          TL_V70

                          She is looking good and good to see they rebuilt your original starter instead of selling you a new one. Not may people rebuild anything anymore

                          You need a good impact screwdriver set to remove the solenoid screws and sometimes also for the body screws. I haven't used this since I was an apprentice but its why I have it to rebuild starters as the screws are always UNBELIEVABLY tight as you found out

                          https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/440/30867MK0II84.jpg

                          Thanks Lloydy!

                          Really appreciate your feedback. I was on the fence. I hate replacing what can be repaired. With my limited experience in this area though, i'd quickly exceeded my own hourly rate, I needed to get it done properly. I could probably have bought 2x cheap ebay units for the same money, but what a horrible thought! As it turned out, needed a new drive. If i'm able to move on to the next stage, I'll be happy with the outlay.

                          Your impact driver set looks the business! Thanks for sharing, I'll be sure not to try again so ill-equipped :)

                            @Ex850R its A Snap on impact set. I went through a couple of cheap ones as an apprentice and broke them then bit the bullet and got a snap on one never had an issue with it and if you break the bits they replace them FREE!. And just think @VolDan your supporting local business and local apprentices?

                            Starter works brilliantly now. It's brought a few other minor issues to the fore though!

                            Bit tricky to see from this photo, but fuel leak at the Kjet distributor (I think) and water leak at dodgy hose clamp at firewall heater core junction. Ironically, didn’t leak before I topped up! Bahaha! Unfortunately ran out of time again..

                            21 days later

                            Finally got back to the wagon this morning with just enough time to pull the intake manifold and kjet.

                            PCV seems not to have sealed properly at the o-rings or internal baffle failed, oil everywhere.

                            Another potential suspected fuel location around throttle body. All back home for cleanup and inspection.

                            Not much closer, but any progress is good with so much else going on.

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