New Exhaust installed on 1990 Volvo 240 wagon.

Here is my new exhaust from the cat converter back.

Finally! Installed new rear torque rods in the Volvo. Amen. Here’s the Story.

Here’s the update on the installation of new rear torque rods in my 1990 Volvo 240 wagon/estate.
I found that using a 24 inch breaker bar with 1/2 inch drive was the key piece of this job.
I jacked up the car, removed the wheels, loosened the rear bolts on the torque rods, then the front bolts.
Did one torque rod per side at a time. I had sprayed Pblaster catalyst lubricant onto all the nuts and bolts a week ago.
Sure helped. Assembled it all, tightening the nuts a little more than finger tight, lowered the car onto the ground, then did the final
torque of all nuts. It was a little tight crawling under the car for the final torque of nuts, but not too bad.

The car rides straight and tight. Very much improved! No clunking when shifting, no knocking over bumps. Much less vibration
during acceleration and deceleration. I’m very happy with it.
Next on the to do list is (rear shock absorbers) DONE: July 25 – much better!, panhard rod, trailing arm bushings, and exhaust. Whew!
Oh, but the money I am saving by doing it myself. Oh….Yeah!
Enjoy these photos of the job.

Woodgrain interior kits for Volvo 240 sedans and wagons.

I am tooling with the idea of creating woodgrain veneer and/or vinyl overlays for the dash and interiors of the Volvo 240 series vehicles. These would be do-it-yourself style. Only one such kit is available commercially and it only includes 9 short trim pieces for the middle strip across the dash and around the instrument cluster. That kit is also a bit pricey considering what it includes. There are about 20 other locations throughout the car that could accept the wood-look.
I’m interested to know what you, fellow 240 series owners, want in such a kit. What grain choices? Preference of veneer or vinyl? Price you’d expect to pay? Your ideas and suggestions are very welcome.

I have sourced two suppliers thus far for the veneers and two for the vinyls.
They offer rolls and also mixed piece lots in a variety of sizes.

I will make a master template set to be printed on the backing of the vinyl or cut-out to be placed over the veneers.

Here are some pics of woodgrains that I think would look great. What are your thoughts?

Pics are property of EXOTIC WOOD VENEERS PLUS / inventorswife, of ebay.

TASMANIAN BLACK WOOD

OAK

MOTTLED SAPELE

MAPLE BURL

HONDURAS MAHOGANY POMMELE

ETIMOE

EASTERN BLACK WALNUT

CEYLON SATINWOOD

BEESWING EUCALYPTUS

AMBOYNA BURL

Replaced ball joints and anti-sway bar bushings. 1990 240.

Here’s before and after pics.

Volvo 240 upgrades and restoration ideas

Here will be a continuing log of work done on my 1990 Volvo 245 wagon. Here are new pics. Before pics.Before pics.

I’ve decided to paint the car myself with Rustoleum paint products. For less than $100.
Here are some great places to find all the goodies for your 240.
www.fcpgroton.com OEM source parts
www.davebarton.com Gauge faces, tropical fan clutch, decals and vinyl, relays, how to articles.
www.ipdusa.com Just about everything for Volvos and more.
www.avalancheperformance.com Performance upgrade parts.

Look here to find Volvo enthusiast discussions and how to’s.
Volvo-forums.com
Volvoforums.com
forums.turbobricks.com
forums.swedespeed.com
www.vlvworld.com
www.matthewsvolvosite.com
www.cravingboost.com
www.brickboard.com
volvospeed.com
For excellent fuel injector cleaning and flow servicing contact Rich at www.cruzinperformance.com or email at rich@cruzinperformance.com or call (231) 796-5705.
If you need service for your Volvo in Franklin, Brentwood, and South Nashville, try these fine folks.
www.importspecialty.com
www.eurofixonline.com

A dream, a Volvo, and Midlife.

I have a dream, of driving a sporty Volvo 240 sedan or wagon on exciting road trips to marvelous locales. But not just any sporty 240. A Frankenstein Volvo…ah…ahh..oooh. A custom job. Better than from the factory even. Why Volvo 240? At my age it seems appropriate. A little simplicity, a little fun, some reliability and safety, a touch of toughness, a bit of classic style and a dash of different. That’s me. That’s a 240.

Something like these:

With these additions, changes and mods.

Sport Exhaust System
Sport Springs 240 Wagon
Sachs Boge Turbo strut inserts and shock absorbers
Front Anti-Swaybar 25mm
Adjustable Panhard Rod
Strut brace Craving Boost
Volvo’s B cam advanced 2 degrees $50
Adjustable Cam Gear
Thinner Headgasket
Euro Side Marker Lights
Euro Side Marker Light Harness Kit
HR5035652 25mm wheel adaptors
Engine Accessory Bushings
Timing Belt With Tensioner
EUROPEAN E-CODE FRONT LAMP AND LENS
PACKAGE
Door pockets, Adjustable windshield wiper relay, stereo head unit and speakers
Soundproofing padding in doors, firewall, floor and roof.
Keyless remote locking, windows, and start.
Maybe heated washer fluid for windshield. Woo Hoo!

Custom Volvo 240 wagons

Did you ever think 240s could look so fine?

Volvo 240 sedans and wagons

Fun stickers for your car and much more.

Here will be tips and updates on the legendary Volvo 240 series. Go Moose!