For the last 3-4 weeks I stopped driving my 173k mile 85' 240 to work since it
seems that the main fuel pump has started causing problems after long drives. I

experienced the same symptoms two years ago when I replaced the main and aux
fuel pump for the first time.

I have this car since I was a "poor" college student and I have
maintained it
in top condition. This car has no rust, no dents, has a 2.5 year old paintjob
and in general it is in a very good shape. I have spent over 200$ in sound
insulating materials and I have put allot of personal work into the car.
Maintanace wise this car has been quite reliable considering the amount of
miles I put into it.

However, the engine compartment is another story. I have experienced and
repaired various minor electrical problems that are associated with aging
wires.
One of my complaints about the 240 series is that the engine compartment is
almost totally unprotected from the elements; as a result all engine plastics
have started to crumble.

After driving my other V6 car to work I really became a little bit spoiled and
I had started seriously thinking how much smoother and quicker an engine makes
a car. My main concern is that I really don’t want to get rid of the Volvo but
on the same time I am not too enthusiastic maintaining a 114 Horsepower
underpowered car when 60% of the cars on the market are 2-times that amount.
Over 80% of the classic cars driven by people now days are High Performance
cars, who would really bother maintaining and restoring an underpowered late
seventies Pinto.

I am also very familiar with the Converse engineering and JTR conversion book
and I am myself mechanically inclined. After posting some questions in this
list about 2-3 years ago I got responses from people claiming that The V8 made
so much difference on the car. It made is quieter, smoother and quicker plus it

gave it a solid feeling and most important of all it was able to wipe out the
smile of all these people driving the Ultimate Driving Machines and the Neo-
noir sports luxury cars. Also I heard of people saying that it can be too much
trouble but if you do the job right it is really worth it.

As far as the V8 engine after extensive research I came to the decision to use
a modern 1988-1992 Fuel Injected L98 engine with T-56 Manual Transmission. I
finally have taken the decision to do it….life is too short plus I really ought

to do something crazy in my life before I become a family man.
Electronics/electrics wouldn’t really be a problem since I am an electrical
Engineer by profession and I am very familiar with modern automotive
electronics. My basic problem is that I don’t have the space for the conversion

itself which it would mean that I will have to have somebody to perform the
engine removal/dropping and the radiator swap. I believe a reasonable total
cost for a conversion like this would be 7-8K. I wouldn’t really want to give
more than 3k for labor.

I would like to hear from V8 240 people on or off list and their suggestions
(parts sources, swap problems etc.) for the conversion and also I would like to

know if there are any reputable/reliable engine swappers or backyard mechanics
in the NJ area that will perform the swap part for a reasonable amount. I
believe I can do the parts chasing myself. I really want to give my old 240 a
new life. This car stays with me no matter what…..

Thanks an I hope to hear back from some of you