A couple of months ago I found a 1991 Volvo 740 at a Carmax dealer auction. On the surface it was ugly. Nice dent on the driver's side quarter panel. Worn baby blue racing seat covers on top of the cloth. And for the crem de la crem... a few thick blue wires that were attached to the alternator and went all the way down through the dash and under the seats to the trunk where there had been an aftermarket stereo system.

The car wouldn't even stay running and was literally pushed through the auction. I decided to buy it for $175. Not a bad price even if it would possibly serve only as a parts vehicle. But there were a few beautiful things on the inside that gave me hope.

Everything in the engine bay was OEM Volvo or FCP Groton. The alternator and radiator were both vritually brand new as were practically all the hoses, wires and plugs.

The cloth seats that were still covered up by the racer boy blue covers were in immaculate condition.

No paint fade. No rust. Not even a crack on the dashboard which is a very common malady for most Volvos from Georgia. The odometer was right at 159k although I'm sure it was replaced a couple of times.


I had it hauled off to my place where I replaced a coil pack to take care of the idling issue. Thanks to you guys, I was able to order an overdrive relay on Ebay and the vehicle now shifts into overdrive. Unfortunately it still does it at 3500 to 4000 rpm which apparently means I need to adjust the kickdown cable and give it a good flush with a Mityvac.

Just to be able to take this vehicle down the road is a resounding victory for me. For $250 now (includes the tow fee) I have a car that can endure through the ages and gives me the education I so longed to have with a car I could comprehend.

I'm still trying to figure out a few things to get it in perfect working order.

1) Where is the kickdown cable? I've already read up on how to adjust it but I don't know where it physicially is?

2) The compressor is locked up. What's the easiest way to replace it? I have to get a belt for it as well. Do I need to unhook anything other than the compressor to install that?

3) I am going to disconnect the blue cable that the marone attached to the alternator, and see if I can either unwind or cut it off. Battery will be disconnected before I do it.

I think that the prior owner either had rich parents who paid for his 'project', or had bought it from a prior owner who gave it the very best. Either way I look forward to finally getting an education with a great car.

Thanks for everything... if you have any suggestions on solving 1, 2 or 3 let me know.

Rob