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I'm sitting here in Arvada, Co. Just bought Volvo #20, '59 PV544. Got to drive it 300 miles home on Monday. It made it's maiden voyage from Golden to here (15 miles) without any problem. The old B16 puffs out some blue smoke on acceleration and decelleration so I gues the rings and valve guides are worn. It's cool to watch people in traffic with this phenomenon. Nobody wants to be behind me, which is okay with me. Brakes are rebuilt, front end rebuilt, converted to 12V but only the brakelights work. Lots of rust has been fixed. Floorpans and trunk are redone with new steel but there's lots of rust left around the fenders. Interior is trashed, the only gauge that works is the speedo. Compared to my '64, this thing seems geared much lower and the B16 is considerably more gutless than the B18, I bet I'm lucky to cruise at 60 mph and there will certainly be a cacophany of valve clatter, transmission whine and wind noise to accompany me on the way home.
The PO supposedly sealed the gas tank with POR15 when he found a bunch of pinholes in it. Checking under the car today, I see the bottom of the fuel tank is wet with fuel. I poke at this little dimple on the bottom of the tank and the wetness turns into a small stream of gas coming out. The tank has a drain on the bottom and I only have a 1 gallon can so I swim in gas while removing and installing the drain six times. Then walk over to the 245 to drain the gas, one gallon at a time, into it's tank.
The local NAPA had a fuel tank repair kit. I'll try that tomorrow. If it doesn't work, it's a 5 gallon jerry can in the trunk and a four foot extension on the fuel line. I got an old 70's Chrysler home 400 miles once this way and it only got 12 MPG.
Thanks to Matt B. for turning me on to the car. I can't post a pic from here but will when I get home. The wife's trailing me in the 245 and we have a tow strap, just in case.
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Volvo Farmer: 20 Volvos '58-'91
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