Hello,
1. My speedometer has started dropping its recorded speed as I step on the accelerator. At speeds above 60 mph, if I step on the gas, the speedo drops to like 45 or so. Is this indication a cable problem or the speedometer itself?
2. Is there a way to check the clutch and associted parts without dropping the trans? My car seems to be making a mettalic grind noise at highway speeds. My first manual Volvo, so it might be a normal sound, I don't know. Also at RPMs of 2000 - 2500 or so I get a very irritating mettalic rattling sound, releated to trans?Clutch? $$$ ? Junk it and start over?
Thanks...
The car is a 1980 244 DL with 4spd manual trans, no OD.
Chuck Jaxel
near Philly...
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Chuck Jaxel, Pine Hill NJ, Near Philly...

Chuck -- I suspect your cable, but I don't know for sure. The needle on my '81 dances pretty much all the way up to speed, and the car makes a 'tick-tick-tick' noise in timing with the needle dance -- that's *gotta* be the cable. I've got a replacement sitting in my trunk; just haven't gotten around to replacing it...

You still have your turbo? Why not swap speedos between the two temporarily and see if the funny behavior travels with the speedo instrument or stays behind with the cable. I've got a spare speedo in my basement which I could mail you if you'd like. It came from a turbo; I pulled the cluster to get the tach.

Rob Kuhlman

Hi Rob,
Trouble is the 1980 uses a square speedometer that sits on the left side of the cluster, its different than my 82 and my 83, both sitting in back yard, son's turbo project/debocile. Anyway, on your manual cars, do they sound like a truck if you wind them out in 4th? not using the OD. This noise I'm hearing may be normal for an old trans, I don't know. Its definitely trans related, goes away when I press the clutch pedal down.
Thanks...
Chuck Jaxel

If the noise goes away when you push on the clutch pedal then the problem noise may be the throw out bearing.

Hi, again, Chuck!

Rats -- I didn't know when it was that Volvo changed the dash layout. I thought it was before 1980. Maybe it was when they went to the rectangular headlights... So...sorry I can't help you any more about the speedo/cable problem.

About that trans -- I've never driven an M45, but I did drive an M40 half-way across the midwest in a doomed '68 142, and my ears were ringing for two days afterwards. The M46 (Laycock overdrive-equipped M45), of which I've had three, have all been quiet -- especially in o.d.

Maybe draining the trans lube and putting in some Redline MTL or the Amsoil equivalent might quiet things down.

Sorry I couldn't be more productive with answers.

Rob