Here is the build thread for my new project.
I switched careers in 2009 in absolute disgust and as a bit of therapy I undertook a project, restoring a 1979 Holden VB Commodore. That project is more or less complete, and has been for some time. Its a trophy winner, taken it to some very big car shows, its done all that can be done regarding a classic car.
I finished my teaching degree and was appointed to teach in Cowra at the high school. Its been hard to leave family etc behind; after 4-5 months I had the urge to tackle something else to take my mind off stresses and challenges of my new career. So I found this on carsales. Wasn't specifically after a Volvo, but the price seemed right and wasn't too far away.
I rang the guy a couple of times, thought about it. Condition seemed ok, so I went with a friend to look at it. Looked ok, drove ok, so I negotiated a price of $800. Drove it home, and the next day set about tidying it up. First thing was to give it a polish and remove a layer of really badly mismatched paint down the side of the car via wet sanding. As you can see, I went a little too far.....
The next day car went for a pink slip and a set of new tyres. Failed due to broken engine mount. I ordered a new one from Repco, and replaced it. Passed pink slip. I then got a quote to get the Air-Con fixed. Got an estimate of $2500 for a new system, apparently the old one was shot. Budget already blown. I then ummed and ahhed about what to do. Sell it? Wreckers? Or, go all out and completely restore it.....I decided to restore it. Decided I would tap into some money and go all-out. Got a quote done for a respray. Only one shop in town was willing to do it, so I went with them. Has a bit of rust under back window, shop will take care of that.....
Next weekend I was back in Orange. Took the car with me. Went to a wreckers and found a complete 244 with all the trim parts that I needed, and only for $70!!
I have run a compression check (all cylinders reading 160-170psi!!), and since then I have changed the oil and filter, air filter, plugs, and have put some stabiliser in the diff oil to stop the diff whining. I have also replaced the broken antenna. AC was fixed, and came in well under estimate :)
Next items to do before xmas include replacing the coolant and radiator hoses (if parts arrive...), replacing all the trim items I bought, and redoing the fuel filter (I broke the one I had, so old one is back on...). I have also ordered new HT leads, dizzy cap and rotor, and in the new year before it goes to the paint shop I'll do the timing belt and change the brake fluid.
Issues that need seeing to -
* Cassette player not working - considering a new head unit.
* Wheel respray - I'll do this myself.
* respray wiper assembly
* clean out the cobwebs and general filth underneath
* new rubber bushings on the power steering pump
* Dash cracked - get it re-covered
* Various new rubbers
* fix cracks in windscreen
I'm sure I find more that needs doing on a car that cost $800 and has covered 415,000km.......