Once I started pulling apart bits on the 144 to get it up to the required standards, I found a few surprises, you don't really want to find.
Despite it seemingly getting somewhat regular oil changes (both the ATF and engine oil were fairly clean), not much else seemed to be happening on the servicing front over the years.
The cooling and heating system, sported all factory fitted hoses except the top radiator hose for a start. When I did start replacing hoses, I found a thermostat that was crystallised, and a lot of corroded piping and a cactus water pump with seized pulley bolts.
So out came all the hoses and other new pipes, where possible to replace all the old stuff. I also found I had issues with the replacement thermostat and ended up buying the last genuine part left in Australia, according the local dealer.
And when I couldn't sort out the fan, I ended up hitting up local 140 man,
@zzdhalla for an older non-clutch style fan to get me out of trouble.
After a couple of days fiddling around, I finally got all the hoses sorted out.
When I wasn't under the car or bonnet, I was busy with little jobs, that could take a few minutes here and there, like these switches, weather shield and unwithered dash mat (to hide the cracks).
I also got caught with getting an exhaust system for the car. There's a phenomenon here in Canberra we locals like to call "Canberra Tax". It is where things you might find in other towns or cities for a reasonable price, escalate out of control here (blame it on some people thinking the place is loaded with cashed up public servants, the reality is far from it a lot of the time). For example, my exhaust quotes varied from $800 to $1600 for a replacement, and the only one that was a stainless steel replacement was $1300. I ended up ordering from Volvo 1800-120 Parts instead, and my new exhaust, for under $400 turned up in the post.
I attempted to install the exhaust but ran into some dramas getting the old system off, so I left it in place, and moved onto other jobs, and left it to go on, when I took the car into Ike's Motors in Phillip for rego, brake repairs and tuning.
Once I had done these jobs and my Skandix order turned up with my replacement lenses, I turned to getting spark plugs, ignition coil and leads changed over. Was all good till I went to start it, and it didn't. I battled for days trying to get answers and get it going, but I was rescued by another local guy, Greg, who got it running. That was fine for a couple of weeks before the same thing happened again. I changed the coil and leads again, thinking I might have had some faulty parts, and got nowhere. I reset the points after Greg showed me what to do, and nothing. The points were in good condition, but as it turned out, were cactus. Auto One in Belconnen rescued me with a same day order from their Fyshwick store. To add further insult, I dropped the screw that holds the points into the distributor into the engine bay and never saw it again. I chased the nut and bolt bloke in Mitchell, and he said he couldn't help me. But I ended up with some screws from Jaycar, that I had to cut down, which had the same thread, and sorted out the problem.
Just a small point I ran into with my Skandix order. All my lenses on my car were cracked or crazed, so I knew I had to sort that out for rego. Unfortunately Hella don't make the tail light lenses anymore, and only a reproduction lens is available. The rest I had the option to go for new replacements or reproduction. I chose the latter, as it cost half the price. They turned up, and no matter how I went and fitted them, I had heaps of dramas to get a good fit, and a fit that didn't let moisture in. The rear lenses were so far off the originals, that I had to position the lens and adjust the screws on each corner multiple times to get everything to line up and sit flush. Even then I get some light bleed.
If you have Hella tail lights on your car, it's probably better to source some Cibie ones, and get the genuine Cibie lenses (they don't fit the Hella lights), and same goes for the fronts, go genuine (both Hella and Cibie still make those).
Winter also caused some issues with the work on the car. We scored a couple of snow days:
It delayed my panel and paint work for a bit, and I got caught with cold afternoons for one of the days, which meant less than ideal paint results, but it eventually turned out OK. More on this work later.
