Steering wheel options for 140 / early 240

paul0075

Hi Guys,

I am looking at upgrading the factory steering wheel in the Jaffa, which is a 1974 144.

I have ideas of what style I am after, but need to figure out if I need a flat or dished wheel. I will be using the genuine Volvo boss with whatever I end up with.

Keen to see pix of your set up and comments about what you like or dislike about it.

Thanks

Major Ledfoot

Late 140/164 bosses are the same as 240 bosses (spline count, etc). Speaking of others -

1800s are different from late 140/240.

740/780/940 are the same as each other.

760/960 with adjustable columns and the wrong-wheel-drive stuff are different to 740/780/940.

Go with whatever works for you - you are the who will be driving it and looking at it.

By 'genuine Volvo boss' - do you mean an OE boss for fitting an accessory wheel?

paul0075

Major Ledfoot The boss I was given was stamped with Volvo and their part number. There are no other identifying details on it. It came from David Hallam, who had a 1971 145 and a 1974 144. Hoping it is for the latter. I will need to dig it out and check the part number.

carnut222

My guess is you'll need a "flat" not "dished" wheel…on all my 240s and the 145, I have flat wheels. I think a dished wheel would put the rim too close to you. I have really long legs so sit with the seat all the way back, and I don't find the wheel too far away from me. I guess it really comes down to the thickness of the hub, but usually they're designed to be used with flat wheels I believe.

paul0075

carnut222

Thanks! 182 cm here, and I have the rails maxed out on any 140 or 240 when I drive.

1971_144GL

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This came fitted to a 73 144 I bought a few years back. I don't know much about it, but it feels surprisingly good. With power steering it would be a nice combination, if you want an aftermarket look.

As another project I worked out the small 240 wheel from 1988 fits a 74 144. But the 240 shroud needs cutting and adapting neatly, but could be made to work if you want smaller diameter plus Volvo appearance.

paul0075

1971_144GL

Thanks for the photos. It definitely shows going for the flat option is the way to go.

As much as I'd like a smaller wheel, I don't need the heavy steering. I will probably get a 370 mm leather wheel to replace the Volvo Bakelite one. I thoroughly dislike the hard surface of the original wheel, which cramps my hands when I drive.

thetrough

Go Momo.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1731500137760190/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Ad6fdcb8d-c098-4d58-b125-0f90c4334ecf

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paul0075

thetrough

Exactly the style I was considering. In leather, either in Momo or Motolita. But I want to make sure I am not getting a knock off though. I have that very item saved in my FB saved items, been tempted by it.

jamesinc

You can buy them from Fuel Autotek in Sydney. I have a 330mm Momo Prototipo in my 244, flat, and a 1" spacer behind it. I am tall though, if I wasn't I would omit the spacer and use a 350mm or 380mm wheel for that luxury boat feel

Forg

What are people using a MOMO in a 240 using for an adapter/boss?
Autotek sold me a Luisi adapter/boss with my MOMO wheel _25yrs ago, but the auto-cancel doesn’t work as the cam isn’t long enough … I screwed extra length of metal in but it’s too fiddly/delicate to work correctly.

carnut222

Forg I've got Momo bosses in my 240s, but yeah, the indicator cancelling isn't great as it's got two ribs instead of an arc…so I usually make up a metal plate to fill between the ribs and mimic the shape of the original cancelling feature. If you don't do something, the cancelling doesn't work right and it's really annoying at roundabouts especially.

jamesinc

The last one I did, I filled it with bog, then some JB weld skimmed over the top, then just hit it with a file to tidy it up, it's been working great so far.