I didn't get a reply to my post about my starter, possibly because it was too damned long for anyone to read, but more likely because there really was no help for it.

http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=807776

Anyway, my student allowance is currently held up in the paperwork, and my starter is siezed up and has been living on my desk for the last week. It really is wreaked (siezes up, solinoid is junk and as a result of the solinoid only half engaging, has all but destroyed the teeth in the last few months.)

But if I can get it up the hill to go to class, I can clutch it down. It's no huge issue if it doesn't start, but I like to drive on a winter's day if possible, cos it's starting to get pretty frosty in the mornings.

It doesn't matter if it gets stuck up at the Uni, because there's really no difference between being stranded in the Arts faculty carpark, and being stuck in the carpark at college. I'm just trying to save myself a very cold 20 minute walk here and have some fun pulling stuff apart.

As soon as I get my financial aid back, I can pay 50 bucks for a new starter, does anyone have any advice on unjamming the old one? I don't really have anything to lose by breaking it and I enjoy taking stuff apart when I need a break from study.
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Drive it like you hate it

A friend of mine had a seized starter. He found the local autoparts store had a replacement drive unit for -- I think -- about $12. It includes the overrunning clutch or one-way bearing depending on what you're used to calling it, and the drive pinion gear. His car is a 77 244 with 320K in excellent shape.

Thanks for the info. How common are the Bosch starters in other cars? Just wondering about the availability of cheap replacement parts for the Volvo unit. I think I'll take it apart and see how it works after exams. I have a whole month with no assignments due over winter, so lots of time for the brick.

I've ordered a scrapyard starter for a tiny amount of money, and if it breaks within six months I get another one. That's six months to try and rebuild my starter. I'll get some tips from my Grandpa, who has over 60 years experience fixing electric motors.
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Drive it like you hate it

How common are the Bosch starters in other cars?

I don't know. But I was surprised the local store stocked it, because we are pretty rural - not exactly a hotbed of euro cars.

The starter you're getting from the wrecker is a better idea. My feeling is the starter is pretty solid on the Volvo- not often a problem.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Mark and Smitty are right- take the starter apart for fun(?), roll-start it, and most importantly, pray to the god or goddess of your choice that the flywheel isn't too chewed up...

Here's an idea: maybe you could back it up on ramps when you park... then you could ALWAYS roll-start..:)

Take it easy, man.

Ok, I knew there'd be at least one stroke of genius in the replies to this post, and if I owned a set of ramps I would try it.

Unfortunately I use jackstands, not ramps, and unless I actually have to get a wheel off the ground, I seldom bother raising the vehicle at all, it's one of the advantages of being built like a piece of string. I think the wheel ramp idea would look pretty impressive in a supermarket carpark, I must do it sometime.

I haven't looked at what it's done to the flywheel yet, I'm not sure I want to as I hate seeing good machinery damaged (especially if I own it) It's no big headache if it is a big worn though, because the whole engine has to come out at some point for a bottom end rebuild, so a damaged flywheel need not be the end of the world.

So much to learn, so little spare brain to put it all in. I'd never even changed a spark plug when I got this car.
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Drive it like you hate it

Forget about fixing it... it's toast. I would just beg Bricksters in your area... find someone who's parting out a 240 and ask them nicely... etc.

Sorry to say this since it's easy to forget frost in the US in June, but...
I'm not imtimately familiar with starters, but it sounds like yours is shot. They can be rebuilt, but not at a cost that would be worth it to someone who is not in the business. Best thing to do is play with it on your desk in your free time and see what you can learn, but don't put it back on. If it's tearing off teeth, you could be damaging your flywheel.
If you can do 'creative parking', you can clutch start it. My brother, whose only connection to 'brick' is his head, drive an old VW beetle for a year without a starter; I'd bet you can do it for a fortnight.
Mark
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'94 940 Wagon, '84 240 turbo sedan, '84 245 DL