I got the chance to head to Wollongong to my cousin's place, which is where the tank is parked until I've made it good enough to take to get it registered in the ACT.
As mentioned previously he cleaned the engine bay up for me.
Thanks to @Bennigee I ended up with some sweet tail lights to go onto it, which I installed on Sunday. Only the right hand one needed a new circuit strip, and I had a good one spare from the old broken and faded lights that were originally on the car.
I had to fix some small rust spots under / behind the lights, but it was a case of scraping off the loose bits, soaking it in rust converter, then priming and painting. I supposed I could've used bog as well to smooth out the one under the right tail light, but it's hidden by the light, and I figured it wasn't worth the effort. I can always take the light out later and redo it if I change my mind.
I will considering bogging and sanding the little hole where the boot rubber sits, but for now it's had the same treatment as the other spots.
I had a good visit to Pick A Part in Dapto
daptopickapart.com.au/ who always have a good stock of Volvo's to choose from. Though somebody got there well before I did. That said I walked away with a radio mounting box for the centre console (the previous owner of my car decided gluing in his radio would be the best way to secure it, then wanted it back when he sold the car), a couple of non-worn hazard and demister switches, and a blue snowflake switch (which I will work on removing the symbol from for conversion to driving light switch and will do the same for the worn demister switch I have for front fog lights), few relays, ashtray, and a few other little bits that break and wear out. Saturday's visit turned up some good Volvo stock, 3x 240, 1x 960, 1x 940, 3x 850.
The weekend was for mostly tidying up the 240 so it was a bit more presentable. Cleaning up dirt from nooks and crannies, covering speaker holes in doors with factory speakers, reassembling the dashboard centre console, replacing blown dash bulbs (there were easily half a dozen of them, and I ended up robbing spare rocker switches for bulbs, so I didn't have to keep running to Supercheap). I also removed the dodgy stereo wiring which bypassed most of the factory wiring except a power wire and speaker wires. I also disconnected the electric antenna and removed the switch. No idea if it works, but it will get replaced with a fully automatic one when I put the stereo in. I also replaced spark plugs which solved the rough running issues. There were already near new Bosch high tension leads, distributor cap and rotor button already installed. Same goes for belts, those are practically brand new as well. Spent time trying get the fuel filter off, but it was stuck fast, but some advice from members here and also on an FB group have helped with ideas on what to do to get it off the fuel line next time I am back working on the car.
I unrolled the rear window blinds and found they were close to pristine condition. And as you can see in the pix, the interior, despite not being cleaned yet looks ace, apart from a 10 cm rip in the carpet near the centre console on the passenger side in the front.
I also removed the broken driver's door pocket, replaced broken headlight switch knob and pulled out the handbrake cover, which dates to 1979 according the mouldings on the underside. The handbrake switch wire is broken off at the connector, and the handbrake needs massive adjustments, which will all get done this weekend all going well.
Also thanks to @Bennigee I have a GLE gauge pod to install this weekend too. Looking forward to having this one installed. I will also add an oil pressure gauge under the clock soon too. There's a few genuine ones on eBay from the US, but I refuse to spend at least $50 on a second hand gauge. I have looked at the VDO Cockpit International gauges which are nice and pricey too, but are the OEM gauge. But I did find a nice compromise from India of all places, which I will probably end up grabbing. Buying it out of the set is $23, or the whole set for under $40.
ebay.com.au/itm/271687471848?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Friday I will be making an FCP or IPD order. Not sure which just yet. But sadly due to budgetary constraints it won't be both.
This weekend apart from what was outlined above, I don't have any specific plans, so it'll be more odd jobs until I get more spare parts. Oh yeah another wreckers visit too, just in case the stock has changed :)
