flaps,

Not suprised by your good trip. In 20 years of driving pre '75 Volvo's, I have never, ever been stranded. To the recommendation to oil the hood hinges, I would add, for immediate gratification at low cost, and pure 1800 driving pleasure:

1. Check motor mounts and the tranny mount. You might want to consider replacement motor mounts, originally for the 160 series, and a 240 tranny mount. The stock 1800 mounts are notoriously underengineered, and, in my opinion, the tranny mount, in particular, fails to maintaining proper clearances, even when properly installed, on most installations.

2. Check driveline, especially the center support bearing/bushing. This, the tranny mount, and weak rear springs are the main cause of that "dragging the tail" feeling that some 1800's can have, if the previous owner has gotten used to the gradual deterioration of these parts, and not replaced them when needed.

3. Check the grommets at the piston connection to the rear hatch glass.

4. Check drainage at "lower sill" of the rear hatch glass frame.

5. Pull panels behind front wheels and clear accumulated debris. Provide drainage.

6. Get rid of all the rust you can possibly find, then undercoat the diddlely-squat out of it, or keep it off of salty roads. Rust never sleeps.

7. Clean the throttle switch contact surfaces.

BTW, you have several 1800 driving neighbors on Long Island who are members of the "1800 list". You'll need a Yahoo ID to join, but it's worth it. Along with the Brickboard, it's the best 1800 network resource around.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/1800list

gary - '72 ES, '67 122S