Volvo RWD 444-544 Forum

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B18 engine 444-544 1962

I just picked up a 62 PV544
the car hasn't moved in 17 years, but was stored inside a garage
the guy did not drain the crankcase, nor did he put those dessicant spark plugs in
aside from what seems obvious to me:
Tires, hoses, belts, filters, plugs, fluids
what else should i take a serious look into?








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    B18 engine 444-544 1962

    I revived a PV from sitting in a shed for about 15 years.

    1) Brakes - replace everything except the hard lines - and give them a VERY pessimistic looking over. Replace or rebuild all wheel cylinders and the master cylinder, replace all 3 flex lines. No room for iffy components on a single circuit system.

    2) Flush the gas tank well - or stock up on fuel filters (installed prior to the fuel pump) and replace as needed for the next year or so. Replace all rubber fuel lines.

    3) Mechanical fuel pumps are not happy with being left sitting for that long - if it won't start be suspicious of it not working.








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      B18 engine 444-544 1962

      All of the previous points, and You also want to:

      Clean up the carb bowls, floats, inlet valves and needles, removing any varnish from gas that evaporated long ago. This is especially true of leaded gas, but that was phased out a little before your car was stored. While you have the fuel tank out for cleaning, check the gas line to the pump-it can be cleaned with solvents and compressed air if necessary. I had to replace mine because rust had constricted the line down to zilch. Check all connections for leaks soon after getting the car running.

      Expect that the clutch is "laminated" to the flywheel, a not to uncommon occurrance from long sitting unused. There are ways to pop it loose if that's the case.

      Check radiator, heater cores and thermostats;leaking wheel axle, rear-end, trans seals, and freeze plugs; rust on the undercarriage. These are all things to be on the look-out for, but hardly the most important things.

      Turn the engine over by hand to get oil introduced into the bearings before starting it.

      Inspect all of the front-end suspension before taking it out on the road--tie rod ends, steering link, especially.

      Regard it all as a labor of love, and it will all seem better that way.








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        B18 engine 444-544 1962

        Another thing I forgot to mention was the hand brake cables. Replace them while you have the rear wheels apart redoing the rear wheel cylinders. You have to pull the drum off to replace the cables (which are invariably rusty stiff and prone to jamming on an old car). After you've pulled a rear drum off once you'll appreciate why yuou don't want to do it more than necessary.







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