1990 740GLE 16 Valve “Eve”

Brad

I didn't realise a genuine windscreen was still available. I need to replace the windscreen on one of my 940s. Did you get it through a Volvo dealer?

Clive740

Brad
I didn't realise a genuine windscreen was still available. I need to replace the windscreen on one of my 940s. Did you get it through a Volvo dealer?

I didn’t think I would be able to get one either. But I checked with my local dealer and there were 17 available from Sweden. It wasn’t cheap, but it wasn’t as stupid expensive as I had imagined.

But I still took two months before I decided to take the plunge and order one.

Was it really worth the extra money? Probably not, but it’s in now and I’m happy.

You can’t take your money with you when you die!

Ex850R

Clive740
https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/208245#Comment_208245
I didn’t think I would be able to get one either. But I checked with my local dealer and there were 17 available from Sweden. It wasn’t cheap, but it wasn’t as stupid expensive as I had imagined.
But I still took two months before I decided to take the plunge and order one.
Was it really worth the extra money? Probably not, but it’s in now and I’m happy.
You can’t take your money with you when you die!

Quality Pilkington is much better than copies from elsewhere that pit so quickly from environmental fallout

Brad

Thanks for the information. I'd rather spend the money on the car than leave it for someone else to have fun with. ?

Clive740

What a difference two days in the workshop makes.

Before photos,

Fitted,

New shocks, Sachs on rear, KYB on front, including strut top mounts, dust boots and rubber bump stops.

New Lesjofors factory spec coil springs all round.

New front sway bar bushes and mounting hardware, and sway bar link rods.

New lower ball joints.

I’m going to take the car for a wheel alignment tomorrow, then I’m looking forward to a good drive to enjoy the supple but tight squeak free ride.

I opted not to change the sway bar for thicker bar. I like the factory supple ride and think body roll adds to the appeal of the car. So I found genuine 19mm bushes and hardware from UK.

I only seemed to be able to find bushes for the larger bars in Australia.

The short drive this afternoon felt promising so it will be good to give the car a good drive on some faster twisty roads after the wheel alignment.

While the car was in the workshop it had a new rocker cover gasket to rectify a small oil leak, as part of its routine oil change service.

Some happy driving days ahead!

Brad

Looking good.

Do the Sachs shocks creak? I've got Sachs (super touring I think) on the rear of both of my 940s plus my mum's 740 and they all creak. Bloody annoying.

Clive740

Brad
Looking good.
Do the Sachs shocks creak? I've got Sachs (super touring I think) on the rear of both of my 940s plus my mum's 740 and they all creak. Bloody annoying.

I bloody hope not, that will really annoy me too.

Clive740

I got the wheel alignment done this morning. I was a little concerned when he said the computer doesn’t recognise a Volvo this old, he would have to set the alignment from experience.

Anyway, I took the old girl for a good 60 km round trip and it seems all good.

Everything feels very reassuring, with a lovely relaxing sure footed feel to the ride. Even the poor condition of the roads through Yarramundi couldn’t upset the line of the car.

As for the body roll, the new sway bar bushes and components have transformed the amount of roll from a crazy, it’s going to tip over feeling, to a confident lean into brisk corners. And that’s pretty much exactly what I was hoping for.

Brad, I’m pleased to say, so far there is no creaking. In fact, it’s an almost eerily quiet ride now.

Brad

Lucky about the creaking. I must have gotten ones from a dodgy batch. I can really only hear the creaking at low speeds such as going over speed bumps in car parks.

Clive740

The 740 rego expired recently, so it was time to put it on historic plates. I’ve always hated the look of the small NSW historic plates, especially on cars that were designed to have European size plates. I’ve mounted them on blank euro backing plates then put them in a mounting frame.

It is kind of the look I was imagining, but I’m going to put something either side of the plates in the empty white area. Possibly club or Volvo related badge/stickers.

I’m keen to hear peoples opinion of the look, good or bad!

ramrod

The car looks fantabulous

Though I would lose the tow bar, horrible things can happen if someone hits you hard enough

It happened to a friend with a 940 wagon that had a tow bar, was a write off only due to the impact that was transferred to the body, if no tow bar then the bumper bar would have slightly moved and no other damage would have been suffered

Ex850R

white bit looks terrible

Clive740

Ex850R
white bit looks terrible

Yes, it needs something either side of the plate. I’ve got a few ideas but don’t have anything yet. Unfortunately, the existing mounting holes on the car are spaced wider apart than the plates. So I had to come up with something to mount them on.

I considered a black background, but that just highlights the stupidly small historic plates again.

Most Euro plates in 1990 would have been white background, so I thought I’d try this first. I can always paint them later.

Ex850R

Get EU plates?

Ex850R

Custom plates could be bought surely

Clive740

Ex850R
Custom plates could be bought surely

Not an option on historic rego in NSW.

Clive740

I found this old photo , taken by the previous owner prior to the new paint job. It’s not the best quality photo, but it doesn’t look like it really needed new paint. He said it had some stone chips and a car park dent in the back right guard. You can just make out the crease in photo, just forward from the tail light.

He also wanted to give it the 760 treatment with body coloured bumpers and mirrors. I must admit, it does look better for it.

Clive740

Update on the horrid NSW historic plates.

I’m reasonably happy with this look now.

Clive740

It’s been a while since I updated this thread……..

But the cooling system has now had some love, to replace the 33 year old radiator and hoses.

…….. also treated to new genuine coolant bottle and cap.

……… also control arm stays received full set of new bushes front to rear.

………. also found the only genuine Volvo exhaust kit in Australia?

I snapped it up because it was only a few dollars more than the cost of an aftermarket mild steel system. Not installed yet!

Clive740

I was very proud to come home with two trophies from the Volvo Car Club NSW Show and Shine event.

I’m very passionate about my car and love the time I spend on it, probably best not to think about the money spent.

Totally thrilled with the result.

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