Ansett 747 - Volvo 740 GL 1989 (2016 - Present)

Ansett747 | Jonathan

ANSETT.747 - VOLVO 740 GL 1989 (2016 - PRESENT)

This 740 GL was a family vehicle for over 15 years and it was in bad shape when my mum driven many times. Inside the vehicle has minor cosmetic damage like cracks, scratches, missing part and physical damage by a human. I have a good heart on my 740 GL and I would love to restore it slowly.

Future repairs & upgrades:

- Install a new condition or 2nd hand in good condition black dashboard top or install 940GL dashboard ????

- Repaint and polish the exterior of the car (PENDING FOR EARLY 2022)

New repairs not listed will be mentioned on progress list.

Spotted problem and completed:

- Water hose collapsed and repaired by RACV on April 2017
- Replaced radiator cap with non-genuine on April 2017
- New wipers fitted on February 2017
- Replaced air-filter hose on June 2017
- Restored alloy fuel hose on June 2017
- Replaced rubber braking pad on June 2017
- Replaced few misc parts on June 2017
- Spotted Faulty Master Cylinder and repaired on October 2018
- New radiator installed on April 2019
- New distributor cap on June 2020
- New Crankshaft Position Sensor Cable on June 2020
- New sparkplug ignition cables on April 2021

Repaired/Installed:

- Upgraded Radio head-unit with Kenwood KDC-BT600U CD Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth | $131.60
- Installed Kenwood Kfc-e1365 5-1/4" 250w E Series 13cm 2-way Coaxial Speakers Pair 130mm 2x | $68.00
- Power Antenna Aerial AM FM Radio Mast kit | 1980s Volvo 1384704 Electric Power Antenna 1384704-1 740 760 sedan Genuine OEM Volvo Part | $70.42
- Replaced a Power Antenna Aerial AM FM Radio Mast kit - Special thanks to Vee_Que
- Replaced Alternator belt $20.00 and power steering belt | $17.00
- Rewired aftermarket radio with insulated straight wire butt connector electrical splice crimp terminal Z224 | $6.00
- Installed a Volvo Single Din Car Radio Stereo Install Dash Mount Trim Panel Bezel Kit | $16.00
- Certificate of Roadworthiness 2018
- Refilled Brake Fluid
- Secured Battery
- Installed new Rack Ends x2
- Installed new front brake pads
- Installed LHF Lens
- Secured Lach Boot
- Repaired Air Blower
- Clicking Noise Removed
- Overdrive Repaired
- Four New Supercat Tyres
- Wheels Aligned
- Installed Dash Cam
- Installed New Blower Motor
- Installed a car alarm system and central locking
- Repaired central locking at the back right passenger side
- Repaired the odometer and trip meter
- Repaired door warning lights and interior lighting electrical fault when opening the door
- Hardwired Garmin Navigator to the fuse box
- Steering binds when cold **Replace steering shaft**
- Uni joints seized and binding exhaust cat noisy and hanging down **Refit and replace broken hanger**
- ABS not functioning found the cause to be a blown fuse
- Replaced four door contact switch
- Fitted with Draco Wheels 15 inch and four new premium tyres
- Installed Left Tail Light Assembly - Passenger Side (Chrome Trim) with gasket and install gasket on the right Tail Light Assembly Driver Side (Chrome Trim)
- Restored Bumpers and Grill colour scheme with Mr Black Box product
- Restored the head liners
- Replaced or restore interior plastic trims
- Replaced entire carpet[/b]

Ansett747 | Jonathan

Upgraded Radio head-unit with Kenwood KDC-BT600U CD Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth | $131.60

My friend helped me to install aftermarket radio and it wasn't easy at all, because the previous owner who owned this car snipped the cables too short! He didn't ask me the payment for installation, so I took him to KFC for doing a good job instead! :+1:

15774625_1712288352130638_4384400726238265075_o by Jonathan Romer, on Flickr

Chris

Welcome @RomerJon17 A word of advice before everyone else jumps in and says it - don't use Volvo dealers, the cost is going to kill you. Berry Motor Group, Voldat or Masons, depending where you are. I assume you are in Vic from the plates?

Also, it's a very good idea to learn some DIY stuff to keep costs down. Lots of help on this forum.

egads (she/her)

Although sounds like you are up for fiddling on the spanners. Plenty of knowledge and help to keep the 7's on the road around here. Welcome!

Ansett747 | Jonathan

Chris;95293 wroteWelcome @Ansett747 | Jonathan A word of advice before everyone else jumps in and says it - don't use Volvo dealers, the cost is going to kill you. Berry Motor Group, Voldat or Masons, depending where you are. I assume you are in Vic from the plates?

Also, it's a very good idea to learn some DIY stuff to keep costs down. Lots of help on this forum.

Hmm, yes I've been Berry Motor Group and Masons who have repaired my Volvo and I noticed their price is extremely expensive. The interior work I am worried about, because there are cracks showing up due to the weather. Is there any good Volvo repairs rather than going to Volvo dealers to avoid high expense?

egads;95295 wroteAlthough sounds like you are up for fiddling on the spanners. Plenty of knowledge and help to keep the 7's on the road around here. Welcome!

I rarely see much 740's on Victorian roads... My friend and especially the VIC Roads Test inspector liked my car. :+1:

Major Ledfoot

Welcome.

You'll find this guide very handy.

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/FAQSummary1.htm

They may all look similar, but 700s had a lot of very subtle running changes over their production run.

jamesinc

Cracked interior components are pretty common, you might have to hunt around to find good ones.

Vee_Que

If you think berry's is expensive, your next option is to do it yourself, I've had 7 series volvos for almost ten years now, cracked plastics is normal, and you become friendly with the self serve wreckers to get bits you need, keep in mind some 940 parts are interchangable too.

If you look up youtube, you can probably find how to Polish the paint up and remove the scratches.

Ansett747 | Jonathan

Vee_Que;95318 wroteIf you think berry's is expensive, your next option is to do it yourself, I've had 7 series volvos for almost ten years now, cracked plastics is normal, and you become friendly with the self serve wreckers to get bits you need, keep in mind some 940 parts are interchangable too.

If you look up youtube, you can probably find how to Polish the paint up and remove the scratches.

I will take some photos around in the interior later and spot some cracks. Some might need a replacement.

Vee_Que

We have a fortnightly social event that you can come along too, not sure when the next one is due to the holidays, but it should be soon...

Chris

@RomerJon17 try Voldat. In my experience of using both them and Berry, Voldat is cheaper.

Ansett747 | Jonathan

Chris;95339 wrote@RomerJon17 try Voldat. In my experience of using both them and Berry, Voldat is cheaper.

They do restoration! :D :+1: Thank you so much @Chris !

My Power Antenna Rod finally came to Australia. My new radio doesn't like my broken antenna and 4 stock speakers!

Ex850R

Great blokes at Voldat, you cannot go wrong.
Look at Jollys Wreckers too where you take the parts off as well.

Ansett747 | Jonathan

I've removed the old antenna out of my car and replaced with a new antenna all the way from Hong Kong. I did positive, negative and powered antenna cables properly, but it doesn't want to extract the antenna rod. The electrician will investigate the problem and I hope it's not the antenna itself defective.

I've sent a message to the seller who sells them from Hong Kong and he will give me one for free and hopefully tested before sending to me. It comes with 90 days warranty which is good. :)

==============================
The petrol tank has an airlock which doesn't completely fill up the tank. Is it possible a Volvo mechanic remove the airlock when fuelling up the tank? I know how to fill up the tank properly with an airlock but I have to be careful not to pick up overflow! :(

Vee_Que

The hose joining between your two tanks on the breather is probably cracked, an airlock isn't removed the way you seem to think it is. Also, buy a test light and see if there is power to the electric antenna, you will go broke paying people to fix every little thing on this car...

Ansett747 | Jonathan

Vee_Que;95971 wroteThe hose joining between your two tanks on the breather is probably cracked, an airlock isn't removed the way you seem to think it is. Also, buy a test light and see if there is power to the electric antenna, you will go broke paying people to fix every little thing on this car...

Excuse my sentence, I wasn't suppose to say remove the airlock. :/
It's not that necessary to repair the breather and I fuel up approximately 30 litres 2 days in 1 month.

I've finally picked Kenwood 6" after-market speakers for my Volvo. I will let the expert to install the speakers for me and do some diagnostic wiring on the radio head unit because I'm pretty worried about electric tape doesn't last long. I will get that done next month asap, otherwise, the radio will stop working.

About the powered antenna, I will ask the radio electrician if it has power. Otherwise, I have to ask the seller to send me another one (covered with 90 days warranty) but TESTED before sending overseas!

Vee_Que

Have you tested it yourself? Stereo installers in my experience are butchers with no qualifications, so to say an expert is a stretch. You really should learn to do this stuff yourself!

With the antenna, you can pull it out and power it from the battery terminals also. Then you'd know if it works as I reckon it will.

jamesinc

Yeah the guys who installing stereos usually just butcher the wiring harness and tape it up, never seen it done nicely.

sucksqueezebangblow

The old "twist and tape"

Ansett747 | Jonathan

sucksqueezebangblow;96340 wroteThe old "twist and tape"

That's what my friend did to my radio and he did the same thing to his radio. I might re-wire the radio head unit cables with Red Heat Shrink Butt Splice Connectors.

The stock speakers work but plays in cross-ways. I'm not to sure if it's the cable causing the problem or the stock speakers itself. My friend will help me to install Kenwood speakers for free and I hope all the speakers work.

The antenna isn't urgent for repair because the FM radio still works with 40 - 60 percent signal, but I always use Bluetooth to play my own playlists or play digital stations on my phone. What you said about testing the powered antenna with my battery terminal on the car, I will try to test with that.