I have a 1987 240 Sedan. Both front headlamps are original and yellow with age. I need a web site to find an inexpensive OEM replacement headlamp assembly.

thanks

I had good success using silver polish. Inexpensive but requires elbow grease. Not new but a good improvement.

The inexpensive replacement lenses will yellow at least as quickly as the original lenses, but for the cost difference, you can buy a LOT of replacement lenses for what a new assembly costs, particularly a euro style glass assembly.

Also, you have to consider how many years you will really be driving an '87 brick.

We put new lenses on our '87 245 about 10 years ago and they are starting to look pretty yellow again, but then, that is about how long the originals lasted. Our '91 is due for lenses soon, and it will definitely get replacement plastic lenses.

I see everything from 10 year old or less Ford's to Mercedes' with plastic headlamps that are yellowed and cloudy.
For the money, 5+ years seems good to me!
~Jason

New lenses went on my '88 almost a year ago. The job took about an hour total and I let the sealant dry overnight before re-installation. Lenses cost about $53.00 (if I remember correctly) and the job was easy. I've always lived in southern US so there isn't the corrosion to deal with that others have - all in all I'd recommend new lenses if you can get the assembly out easily. The old plastic lenses come right off using a small putty knife as a pry tool. Then you remove all of the old sealant from the groove in the assembly so that the new lens bead snugs right down in the groove. Once you are sure of a good nesting remove the new test fitted lens and apply sealant inside the assembly groove and push the new lens into place. I used some small spring clamps to hold the new lenses tight while drying.

Note: I was careful not to touch, clean, or otherwise upset the reflective inside of the light assembly as everyone advises this stuff is very fragile. Job came out just fine.

What type of glue do I use to glue my new headlamp lenses in place?

There are no inexpensive OEM headlight assemblies. I think I paid about $400 for all new headlamps and buckets, Cibie. But that's only 18 bucks a year figuring another 22 years.
--
1986 Volvo 245

Have you thought about all the money you might save if you renewed them yourself by buying a polishing kit? Last weekend I went to the local Canadian Tire store, I'm sure you have something similar where you live, bought a bottle of polish and went to work. In about an hour, I had my headlights almost as good as new, with all of the yellow gone completely. There are only a few small pits in the lens that I will go after when I get another block of time. I might have spent about $20 Canadian to do so. I guess it all depends upon how yellow they are, how much sweat equity you want to put into the car, and how much you either want to spend or save.

I'm not disagreeing for the sake of disagreement, but I tried two different "polishing" kits and they are not worth the time and effort IMO. If the lenses are pretty yellow and oxidized (like mine were and like practically every 240 I see), then you are spending a couple of hours rubbing different grades of sandpaper (or 3m buffing wheels or whatever else people have concocted) over your lenses for what I felt were only moderate results. In terms of plastic lens replacement - I don't think any one here would deny that nothing is going to beat new (whether aftermarket reproduction or Volvo/Cibie) lenses for your head lamps. Whatever your willing to spend ($60-$200) for the pieces will make your 240 look great again and you'll be glad you did it. It makes a dramatic difference.
~jason

I did this job on my '91. I originally ordered the Euro-spec "E-code" headlamp and side marker kit but decided the rewiring involved was more than I wanted to deal with, so I exchanged that for the US-spec new lamps. About $300 for all four pieces from FCP Groton. They are reproduction parts, not OEM Cibié units, but they do the job. The repro side markers don't fit as snugly to the fenders as the originals and the bulb sockets seem flimsy. The headlamps seem well-made, though.

fcpgroton.com have a great return/exchange/DOA swap policy. One of the side markers had a bad socket and they advance-replaced it then I returned the bad one.

It's a 2-3 hour job and if you live where they salt the roads in winter be prepared for a fight with rusted housing nuts. I basically destroyed the left headlamp getting it out of the car.

Joel,
Try Lamps and Lenses, quick service reasonably priced.
http://www.lampsandlenses.com/
--
Happy Motoring! 93' 244 and 2002 S60

For the money, you can't beat new aftermarket European spec assemblies. They're better optically than the original Volvo headlamps for the American market.... and certainly better than aftermarket US-spec headlamps.

For our 1987 240 wagon, I just received a set of used European headlamps from a friend in the Netherlands.

-Ryan


--

Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars
1991 745 GL 300k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars

So Ryan,where they glass or plastic lenses and how much were they with shipping?
Even if you polish the lenses the reflectors inside are not so good anyways. the way to go is to replace them.
Thanks

They're glass lensed... I can't remember exactly what I paid for them. I just got them, but it was a couple months before they got here since we played it loose as it was a transaction between friends. Perhaps $250 + $60 for shipping?

I do like the fit of the Genuine Volvo Euro-headlamps better than the aftermarket... and replacement lenses and reflectors are easy to find (though not cheap) for Genuine stuff as well. They pretty much hold their value indefinitely, as well.

Aftermarket E-codes are available here in the States on fleaBay and FCP Groton, so you'll have them within a week. IIRC, these are $250, brand new. The quality and optics aren't quite Genuine Volvo.... but if the choice is between aftermarket US headlamps and aftermarket E-code heeadlamps, it's a no brainer. Get the Euro stuff.

-Ryan



--

Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars, GT Braces, Draco Wheels
1991 745 GL 300k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars

Thanks Ryan,previous owner drilled holes in the buckets to let the water out so the reflectors are shot and the lenses are yellow. I have heard nothing but good things about the Euro glass assys. Would like to get a set to replace as these lights are slowly getting dimmer even with silverstar bulbs. Glass lenses will last forever and never yellow like the plastic ones