1990 740 Wagon - Engine Life - Newbie
 

Hello All, my name is Chris, I live in AZ and I may purchase a 740 wagon - my first Volvo.

Found a 1990 in really nice shape inside and out. 5 speed standard - Non Turbo. Interior great, few tears in the driver seat, all other seats, headliner and carpet nice. No rust anywhere, not dents etc. 240,000 miles, owner had since 2006, selling because he bought new and no longer needs it. Owner said he had the Front end rebuilt a couple of years ago. Shocks seem good too. I have yet to drive but from the outside and looking under the car it looks clean, dry and taken care of. AZ car, white with blue interior, no roof rack (bummer) Owner says it drive well, no issues, get it and drive. Wants $1600 OBO - a few other Volvo Wagons in town but this one speaks to me. Looks well cared for. Air and Heat work.

I am an old MGB guy, and just restored a 1969 Mercedes w115 back to life after 5 years sitting under a tree. So I have experience "tinkering" on many cars. I wanted something to haul my RC Airplanes around and wanted something good on the highway.

I hear good things online about the 740 engine life - My first thought when I saw the mileage I thought, "oh, that's high" but I find these engines really last if cared for.

Any good links about the 740 Engine and background?
What do you volvo guys think?
It feels right, and I think it would be a good buy.

Feedback would be great.

Chris

is that a DOHC 16V B234F or the regular SOHC 8V B230F engine? the 16V has some quirks, don't EVER let the timing belt break.

as long as its not overheated or run without /any/ oil, a B230F engine will probably last a half million miles. by then, it will have outlived a couple alternators, 2-3 radiators, etc etc. If you drive them hard, you'll go through front brake rotors, but they are about as easy to replace as any (I recommend using Brembo rotors, and semi-ceramic pads). if you take care of the car, the body should still be in good shape, too. sun will get to the plastics eventually.

the M47 5-speed transmission is OK but be gentle on them... the older M46 4-speed with electric overdrive is considerably sturdier, and frankly, the AW70/71 automatics are like tanks (they are toyota transmissions).

the roof racks are cosmetic uselessness. get a Yakima style rack that attaches to the very solid rain gutters, will hold far more useful stuff.

a non-turbo 8V 740 is not going to win any races, except longevity. the wagons are incredibly useful :)

http://pierce.smugmug.com/photos/i-4...4ssbXkK-X3.jpg

Think you Pierce! I believe it's a SOHC GlL model. What do you think price wise is fair?
He is asking $1600 obo - that's cheap for any decent running car, was going to offer $1400.

well, I paid $1200 for my 92 turbo, with 4 bald tires, 2 bent rims, a weak head gasket, and badly torn front seats, but everything else was in great shape (lots of new under the hood like hoses, radiator, everything working, etc etc)

http://pierce.smugmug.com/By-Date/20...MG_8239-XL.jpg
(those are the rims I got to replace the bent ones, but the rest is exactly how I bought it)