Whoops I bought a 240GL!

Well, unfortunately for me I didn't think to remove the crank bolt before releasing the timing belt. You don't need to on the white block engines (although its easier if you do). And whenever the motor turned the camshaft didn't. I don't know if the B230F is an interference engine or not, Ive heard that it is, so I was reluctant to turn it at all in case it went to far and hit the valves, which Im sure at such low RPM wouldn't do any damage, but still, not the way I like to do things...

I did use the old screwdriver in ring gear method, but none of my screwdrivers were really doing it, kept slipping out and so on. I had the same problem with my old 89 Ford Telstar which had a fairly similar setup except for being transverse. In the end I gave up and bought the stupid tool and it is a lot easier, It also really helped when I needed to realign everything. My timing mark is on the crank pulley not on the actual crank so I kept having to take it on and off to double check. Sure its $50 but I have the damn thing now and Ill probably use it again.

I don't think theres anything wrong with the transmission, the previous owner put a rebuilt AW70 on there and it seems to drive fine. Sometimes thumps into gear, but its a very low on fluid so Ill top that up (or more likely, replace it altogether). I bought a new overdrive solenoid from FCP when I ordered the tool as well. I took the old one apart and it wasn't really recoverable so I just bought a new one. Haven't had the chance to install that yet, Ill do it when I put the cluster back in.

It looks like it is well sealed. I haven't put coolant in it yet so not sure. Noticed my lower radiator hose was pretty much gone, so will get a new one maybe from Berry on Monday or something. Will replace them both, and the thermostat, all at the same time, then Ill put coolant in and see what happens, but the new seal looks a heck better than the old one haha.

Ah, I read somewhere, in fact I think it may have been in the book the previous owner gave me, that the early engines aren't interference but the later ones are, but maybe it was referring to the 16 Valve. What is your obsession as well? I clearly worked it out for myself. $50 or not, the job is easier with the tool.

Well mainly I just like figuring things out for myself. It's not that I don't appreciate the offer but the idea is to learn. Secondly. I never expect anyone to come an help me, especially if it's at no cost. And I don't really have money to pay anyone which is a sad reality of trying to fund 3 cars in one go.
Also I don't tend to ask for help cos I forget the volvo forums are a bit nicer than the eunos one was. Every time I asked a question someone would bite my head off and be like "if you don't know what your doing then pay someone" right okay, I'll figure it out myself then... And I did so now I just don't bother.
Look I'll admit sometimes I get stumped, I'm not perfect and I'm still learning everyday but in the end as long as I get the job done it doesn't really matter if I took a little longer to get there, does it?

Officially finished Stage 0 Service and Checkover + Fixing a few other gremlins + Getting it ready for roadworthy and registration. So the initial list/fixes. I ignored the bodywork stuff, I don't have the knowledge, space or tools to fix any of that stuff right now so that will have to wait. None of it is structural and I don't think much of it is spreading. But I will get onto it as soon as practically possible.

Initial List:
• Replaced water pump. As I thought I was halfway there, I also did the timing belt & tensioner roller as well.
• Replaced flame trap (the old one wasn't actually blocked but the hose was hard).
• Minor leak from trans oil pan (confirmed fixed by tightening the bolts)
• Bolt missing between engine/trans near oil pan on exhaust side (haven't fixed this, might mention it tomorrow when it goes in for roadworthy)
• Missing clamps on tie rod/rack end boots (again, forgot this so will mention it tomorrow)
• Rear suspension bushings LHS worn (they actually look okay on closer inspection)
• Brakes need re-bleeding (as it turns out, the previous owner must have really fucked the system, it needed a new master cylinder AND booster and 4 good bleeding sessions, there was so much air in there).
• Every tyre is a different brand but all the same size (but roadworthy tread!)
• Drivers side power window not working (fixed with a new switch)
• Drivers door grip loose (the screws were not tight....)
• Front passenger door pocket missing (still gone, haven't got a replacement yet).
• Rear seatbelts missing both sides (managed to get some yesterday and installed now, all good :D)
• Boot trim loose (I clipped it back in but it comes off every so often, will fix properly one day).
• Instrument cluster - Tacho not working, odometer not working, fuel guage not working, shift indicator light always on. (Okay so my cluster was pretty messed up. The wiring connecting to the speedo has lost its contact, so I needed to touch up the solder joints to enable the speedo to work and get power to the cluster. Tacho didn't work as it wasn't plugged in - fixed. Odometer not working, the circuit board was fucked so I got another cluster and swapped over the circuit board, put two new gears in the odometer and its working fine now. Fuel gauge was working, the car just had very little fuel in it, as I discovered today when it ran out and engine lost all power... Lucky the servo is literally just round the corner. Shift indicator light was just a dodgy overdrive solenoid, fixed with a new one).
• Radio works when it wants to. (It seems to work reliably now, perhaps it just hadn't been used in a while)
• Interior lights work when they want to. (The switches on the doors are little dodgy so it doesn't always realise)
• Electric aerial broken (still not fixed, the plastic gear inside is broken)
• Faults in rear right tail light wiring (reverse lights come on when blinkers on and so on) (fixed this by redoing all the wiring on the light, it was just in the wrong order).

Other things:
• Alternator shat itself one day so replaced that with a used unit from Berry. All good now.
• Changed the oil and oil filter. Only 2 litres of oil came out of it which is a bit low haha.
• Changed the transmission oil. I know it has a reco box and is not due yet BUT the level was low and I was not sure which fluid the previous owner used, so I replaced it altogether. Only 1 liter came out....
• Replaced the thermostat and put fresh coolant in. Runs at temperature now.
• Readjusted ignition timing and idle settings. Runs smooth, has power and altogether drives a little bit better than before. Its a happy car!

All in all, Im feeling really happy with it, lots of little stuff done and still lots to go but its come so far and come up really well. I just cannot wait to drive it properly! Photos again for your entertainment. Its so cleaaannnnn. It came up a different colour when I removed the thick layer of dirt!