My $500 1987 240 has turned out to be a real surprise!

The reason it was $500 was because it wouldn't start and 2 mechanics had thrown in the towel. It wouldn't start because of several reasons:

1. bad wiring harness... only exposed wires were bad. The wires that were behind the heavy black plastic were all OK. I removed the entire wire harness from the engine compartment (up to where it goes into the firewall) and inspected and replaced each wire as necessary. I think there were about 7 wires that were bad (oil pressure sender, alternator, ecu temp sensor, dash temp sensor, knock sensor and maybe a couple other I'm forgetting). It's not that bad of a job except for removing/reinstalling the intake manifold, but even that's not very hard.
2. bad connection to the spark computer (or whatever that is in front of the passenger-side fender). Some dipshit mechanic wedged a sheet-metal screw in between the connectors to try to get it to stay there, because the clip was broken. I used a pick to slightly tighten each female connector on the wire harness to get it to connect and hold.
3. bad intake air bellow... the corrogated plastic thing. It had at least 8 holes in it. I cleaned it up and used black electrical tape to fix this.

After putting this all back together, it started right up. It runs like a champ, but smokes a little bit. This is the first time it's run in at least 6 months. I drove around the block a couple times to verify that the transmission works OK and that the steering is good.

There are tons of new parts on this car... all new ignition stuff, new MAF, new steering rack, new 2-row all-metal radiator, new water pump, new timing belt and seals, and new tires. I need to get it to stop smoking, so I will try some of that engine flush stuff because I really think it's suffering from a stuck oil ring and not irregular oil changes (the PO claims that it didn't use to smoke and never used any oil between changes).

My total expense on this car so far is $4 (for intake manifold gasket), and some wire and tape that I had laying around.

Anyway, I think I could easily get $1500 for this car (160,000 miles) but could probably get more if the A/C worked.... the compressor is locked up and it has one of those IPD bypass kits on it. What do you all think? Should I try to find a junkyard R-134a compressor and charge it myself with the kit at K-Mart or just sell as-is? What other parts would I need besides a compressor for the R-12 to R-134 conversion (I don't have much experience with A/C)?

Thanks!

Hi,
You should replace the dryer also. Did this on my 90'745 and used the Volvo kit
that had all the gaskets too. I am no expert, but I do know all fittings have to be redone for the R134A refrig. and new oil in unit. Make sure the rad is good first. I had my system done and replaced the rad with after market, Volvo
dryer and kit, oil etc. The Volvo dryer is better than after market and about the same price up here in Canada. This was recommended by Volvo mech. I know.
Good luck,
Bob

If you plan on selling this car, go to the junkyard and get a replascement intake air hose. It will be cheap and will look much better than the one you fixed with electrical tape to prove the car would run.

As for the A/C, I agree with Chris. Leave it alone. I compared my kids 86 240 to a friends 91 240. Much more than the compressor is different for a conversion to R134. Then there is pruging the system, evacuating the system, and charging the system. You didn't mention where you are located. I think R12 can still be used in Mexico. If I ever have big A/C problems with either of my 86's, I'm probably heading south of the border for repairs,

That is a GREAT story. I found a car like that for my brother. $1400 bucks with a new... well, a new EVERYTHING. And the problem with it was the MAF. $75 and that was that. New clutch, rear main, idle air ctrl, battery cables, spark wires, distributor (the whole thing), sensors, etc. Funny.

To convert the A/C and not get threatening phone calls afterwards, you should really change all the system O-rings, which is kind of a hassle of a project. The receiver-dryer has to go also, since it's been unused for quiet some time. Then you need to add the ester oil to the system, preferably flushing the old stuff out. That's the basic job. You can go further if you want to. That's assuming it doesn't leak. I think you'd do just as well saving the time and selling w/o working A/C, than fixing it and having the system take a dump in a month, and having people calling you all the time to complain.

Just my thoughts, though. You CAN make that K-mart system work, although I'd recommend selling it after using it!

--
Chris Herbst, near Chicago, IL. 93 940, 91 240, 90 240, 88 740, 87 240