Recommissioning a barn find Volvo P1800ES
Discussion
Fastdruid said:
My approach would be to do an oil change first, then I'd stick a healthy squirt of engine oil down the bores. Take the rocker cover off and liberally dose everything up top with oil. inc down the pushrod tubes (if you can).
Then turn over by hand with the rocker cover off and ensure all the valves/rockers/pushrods move freely.
If everything seems to turn over freely then turn it over on the starter until you get decent engine oil pressure. Stick some rags over the holes to ensure you don't spray oil *everywhere*.
Then plugs in, fresh fuel and send it.
EDIT: The worst concern really is sticking rings, either gummed up or just with rust when you turn it over and they scrape the surface rust off the cylinder walls. It will drink oil and have low compression if they are stuck. Then again it may get better over time...or it may not. You can try some of the top-end detergent type things. Basically fill each cylinder with them, leave overnight, empty and then change the oil (as it will typically leak down into the sump).
Thanks for the feedback on the bore photos. I don't think they look too bad either all things considered.Then turn over by hand with the rocker cover off and ensure all the valves/rockers/pushrods move freely.
If everything seems to turn over freely then turn it over on the starter until you get decent engine oil pressure. Stick some rags over the holes to ensure you don't spray oil *everywhere*.
Then plugs in, fresh fuel and send it.
EDIT: The worst concern really is sticking rings, either gummed up or just with rust when you turn it over and they scrape the surface rust off the cylinder walls. It will drink oil and have low compression if they are stuck. Then again it may get better over time...or it may not. You can try some of the top-end detergent type things. Basically fill each cylinder with them, leave overnight, empty and then change the oil (as it will typically leak down into the sump).
Edited by Fastdruid on Monday 28th September 17:42
My plan is pretty much as you say, but I'm going to fit a new fuel tank, fuel pump and filter first. The fuel is nasty and the tank rusting on the inside. I'm also planning a new ignition system before I go for a start including leads, plugs, rotor, cap, points, condensor and coil.
I have already sprayed some marvel mystery oil into the bores which is soaking in as we speak so I may give it a few turns with a spanner on the crank soon. Hopefully i don't crack a ring!
What a wonderful car, and I'm in for the journey.
You say 'we', and the Mini thread featured your talented pal, so who is doing this with you? You're clearly very handy yourself, but is this a commercial deal or a bunch of blokes pitching-in free?
(Sorry for the nosiness; I love these threads but am a bit of a biff myself and have to pay everyone so the maths/affordability begins to not add up very quickly).
You say 'we', and the Mini thread featured your talented pal, so who is doing this with you? You're clearly very handy yourself, but is this a commercial deal or a bunch of blokes pitching-in free?
(Sorry for the nosiness; I love these threads but am a bit of a biff myself and have to pay everyone so the maths/affordability begins to not add up very quickly).
CharlesdeGaulle said:
What a wonderful car, and I'm in for the journey.
You say 'we', and the Mini thread featured your talented pal, so who is doing this with you? You're clearly very handy yourself, but is this a commercial deal or a bunch of blokes pitching-in free?
(Sorry for the nosiness; I love these threads but am a bit of a biff myself and have to pay everyone so the maths/affordability begins to not add up very quickly).
Thanks and fair question. The mini was done with my pal but that’s my car. He just helped on that. You say 'we', and the Mini thread featured your talented pal, so who is doing this with you? You're clearly very handy yourself, but is this a commercial deal or a bunch of blokes pitching-in free?
(Sorry for the nosiness; I love these threads but am a bit of a biff myself and have to pay everyone so the maths/affordability begins to not add up very quickly).
This car is being done with my brother who’s also a petrol head. He’s local and it’s a great excuse to spend time together and escape our respective families! We’ll have joint ownership of this... it will also splits the burden of inevitable incoming costs
e46m3c said:
Looking forward to seeing this progress.
Interestingly there was a car identical to this on a trackday at thruxton yesterday. Volvo are investing in this car for restomods and they were there with ohlin developing the suspension system.
That sounds interesting! Did you get an pics?Interestingly there was a car identical to this on a trackday at thruxton yesterday. Volvo are investing in this car for restomods and they were there with ohlin developing the suspension system.
Polestar have recently built a restomod coupe version with 400bhp.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/the-volvo-cyan-p1...
What a delightful fraternal project, OP. I hope that it goes well. I sadly said no to a 1970 Volvo 145 a few months ago, because it had too much rust underneath, but I was very impressed by the engineering and build quality on that car. Hopefully that quality will shine through on the P1800 as you proceed with the recommissioning
I add that shooting brakes are in my view amongst the best sort of cars ever, and I am surprised that there are so few of them. An elegant, low slung, sporty estate with two doors, four or five seats, and a big hatch is a great combo. Think Lancia HPE, Scimitar GTE, Lotus Elite, and a handful of others. For things such as Lotus Elan and Jaguar XJS shooting brakes, you have to look to very rare and very expensive aftermarket conversions.
Agreed BV. It's my ideal sort of car. The Brera is the closest I can find/afford at the moment but that's really a coupe although the back seats do fold down to give a decent loading area. The back seats are too small to sit in if you have legs and I think the car would have been better as a 2 seater.
Great project OP.
Great project OP.
Breadvan72 said:
What a delightful fraternal project, OP. I hope that it goes well. I sadly said no to a 1970 Volvo 145 a few months ago, because it had too much rust underneath, but I was very impressed by the engineering and build quality on that car. Hopefully that quality will shine through on the P1800 as you proceed with the recommissioning
Thanks! We're looking forward to getting stuck into this. I'm itching to get back to it, but work commitments and weekend arrangements are taking up all my time currently.It certainly is built like a tank. The doors close with a reassuring thump and clunk as they latch and even the bonnet release is 9" long metal lever under the dash that swings 90 degrees and locks into place. It's like latching a submarine door.
As far as condition goes, it seems to be in top order with only surface rot evident on a few suspension arms. We'll see what we unearth as we delve into it though!
Lord_Howit_Hertz said:
I’ve just read your Mini thread, and it has been one of my favourite threads in a long time. The finished car looks brilliant.
With this (I know it’s not the norm) but with it needing so much mechanically, would you not fancy 'modernising' it, rather than recommissioning it?
Thanks! The mini project was a lot of fun and only possible with the help of my friend and his workshop. If this was a rolling shell then maybe I'd consider something wild. I had thought that this would look great lowered on air ride with some nice dished 20" wheels and a modern straight 6 up front.With this (I know it’s not the norm) but with it needing so much mechanically, would you not fancy 'modernising' it, rather than recommissioning it?
The reality is I wouldn't have purchased this car if that was the case as I don't currently have tools, time or space for a project on that scale.
This car is complete and it deserves to be kept original. It wasn't that long ago I was tuning 90s Japanese turbo cars within an inch of their lives, but lately I'm only interested in return classics to original factory spec.
croissant said:
Lord_Howit_Hertz said:
I’ve just read your Mini thread, and it has been one of my favourite threads in a long time. The finished car looks brilliant.
With this (I know it’s not the norm) but with it needing so much mechanically, would you not fancy 'modernising' it, rather than recommissioning it?
Thanks! The mini project was a lot of fun and only possible with the help of my friend and his workshop. If this was a rolling shell then maybe I'd consider something wild. I had thought that this would look great lowered on air ride with some nice dished 20" wheels and a modern straight 6 up front.With this (I know it’s not the norm) but with it needing so much mechanically, would you not fancy 'modernising' it, rather than recommissioning it?
The reality is I wouldn't have purchased this car if that was the case as I don't currently have tools, time or space for a project on that scale.
This car is complete and it deserves to be kept original. It wasn't that long ago I was tuning 90s Japanese turbo cars within an inch of their lives, but lately I'm only interested in return classics to original factory spec.
Good man.
Good luck , will follow with interest.
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