Hey, new user here. Recently purchased a '79 244 DL as a replacement for my old car whose engine I do not have the time to rebuild. I do, however have time to tinker with non-critical items in this old brick so I figured I would join a few communities dedicated to keeping them running. My new ride has ~300k miles (exact mileage unknown - dash swapped two owners ago and the new odometer does not work) The interior is in good shape all things considered - a crack in the dash and some tears in the rear seat are pretty minor issues as far as I am concerned. No major issues, but I will probably still be asking questions here and there as I get around to fixing various things - gaskets, leaks, PCV, etc. Looking forward to getting your input and hopefully being able to provide some insights of my own.
My new wheels: https://imgur.com/a/SyDXtax

<3
Cerulean

Welcome

When you have a problem, read the 700/900 FAQ - it is extensive and many issues are similar or are exactly the same as your car.

For instance, we had a '88 744 GLE and a tech told me that my car had a 240 engine. Also one of my friends had a 240 that had the same instrument panel as our 744.

Volvo often used new items in some of their current models to test them out. Also, I suspect that they used older parts that they had to get rid of, or did not have new parts fully tested. Sort of like the Albacore and Nautilus experimental submarines, the Albicore had a new hull but an older engine, the Nautilus had an old hull and a nuclear engine - this allowed them to test the new hull and engine with a legitimate comparison.

You should scan through the 700/900 FAQ to see just how extensive it is.

Example - under fuel injector there is a discussion about cold start injector and its symptoms.

Good luck, and I hope you have as much fun as our 4 drivers have had with our 5 740s, 3 850, and a 240. Currently 2 XC70s, a 544 and a 1800.

I have toured the Nautilus submarine many times and can confirm, it's a whole lot like a WW2 fleet boat, teak decking and all.

Initially I was surprised to find that while time and technology has moved on, many things on USN submarines have remained the same over the past 70 or so years. They stuff some amazing new technology into those boats but they must've gotten one heck of a deal on a supply of woodgrain formica and Mare Island Green paint right after the war. They're still working through it.
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XC60 / Odyssey

In general, the 700/900 FAQ list can be very helpful to a 240 owner, especially to one who owns a 240 built during the years 7/9 cars were built, when Volvo began sharing engines and a few driveline components.

"Example - under fuel injector there is a discussion about cold start injector and its symptoms."

The cold start function is probably not one of those areas. The '79 244 came with continuous mechanical injection, and its warm up regulator (WUR) or as it is sometimes called, the control pressure regulator (CPR) is a common reason for cold start troubles when its fine set of filter screens is partially blocked.

I own a '79 244 49-state version (no lambda) and found Bentley's Bosch Fuel Injection & Engine Managment publication (Charles E. Probst, SAE) to be the most helpful and relevant to this car in either market's form.

My compliments on the comparison with development of our submarines. I need to read up on this, as it looks to have some New England roots shared with others I've met on this forum, and also because I'm totally ignorant there. All I know about Albacore is Mrs B insists on having this in her tuna salad calling anything else cat food. I can't sneak the chunk light in no matter how much mustard I cover it up with. Good book, in additional to Probst is Cod by Kurlansky.


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Art Benstein near Baltimore

"When they tell me I'm too old to do something, I attempt it immediately." -Pablo Picasso

Art -

I have been in the Albacore in Portsmouth NH.

They have a small video explaining why they used two subs.

The Captain of the Albacore explained that the test cruises he went on were very exciting. They sailed as fast as it could go and as deep as it was designer for.

It was very streamlined and had two counter rotating props sttached at the rear.

Up until the video was made, the Navy never told the public how fast it went!

BTW - Thanks for all the good advice you have given to Brickboarders.

Thanks for the tips

Welcome to the Brickboard.

The activity on the RWD forum has slowed down, but people are willing to help in keeping our old Bricks on the highway.

Is your 240 as rust free as it looks and has it been a California car all its life?

Randy
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Any twenty minute job is just a broken bolt away from a three day ordeal

Not quite as rust free as it looks. That picture was from a good angle. The paint is pretty rough in a few spots - part of the driver's door is down to primer and it has some patina spots. Only significant rust is behind the rear left tire - ate through a part of the panel. You can see it in this picture - https://imgur.com/a/rE0N5Dy Nothing structural and what is there is definitely recoverable. It actually started life in Alaska but got brought down to Washington at some point. With that in mind, I am surprised by how little rust there is. The motor seems to be in good shape as well. It is leaking a little oil from various gaskets - probably a combination of clogged pcv and old seals. It also has a bit of a funky issue with cold starts which will be the first thing I post about here.