I recently bought a 90 744 turbo intercooler for $600, knew I was taking a chance (not knowing what all it needed) but figured I couldn't lose...
I figured that if I put $3000 into it it would equal blue book on this car....
I have since immersed myself in the volvo world of fix it yourself, thanks to the faq on this site, I was able to diagnose and fix a great many things already.
I have, replaced all vacume hoses, fuel pressure regulator, turbo intake hose (they don't call it a 'hose' for nothin!!!! $170...), replaced a strut top mount plate (old one put a dent in my hood...), replaced o-rings on oil filter mount adapter, changed the in tank filter, realighned the pre pump (so gauge measures more than 10 gal of gas...) put in new tank seal (preventing dumping gas everytime I filled up...) and replaced the rr door, fixed cruise control, fixed squeal in heater motor (couple drops of oil on armature...tempory?), changed oil, gearbox oil, flushed power stearing fluid.
I am going to do new shocks all around, and sway arm bushings next week.
then I will test the turbo boost and see what it says about the waste gate and actuator.
then comes some minor body work and a paint job..
when I bought the brick it said 130,000 miles, carfax search showed the instrument cluster had been changed... total miles on the car? 235,000! This changed my thinking on daily driver, to project-daily driver...
I was a little bewildered when I first looked at the engine, but thanks to this site I am now more comfortable and knowledgable.
thanks to all and especially the ppl who put the 700, 900 faq section on here!!!!!!!!!!!!


P.S. I used to own a 74 164E and loved that car! I think I will like this one as well...