I been looking at this craigslist ad... Volvo 240 ...but am wondering if there any similarities between the 240's and the 740's. Say for instance the starters? Do the 240's have as much room under the hood as the 740's?

I own both a '89 744 and a '92 944 and I like the fact that doing a R&R on one car helps me when the other develops the same issue...for instance the blower motor that I R&R in the 740 taught me something and now the 940 blower motor will be that much easier...and my wife insists I do it before winter (though I believe the 240 blower motor is a much more involved R&R and if its anything like the R&R me and my boy did on the 940 heater core I gotta say it sucks)

I'm not a mechanic though I play one at the street curb. And with the help of google...youtube...and ya'll I've been able to maintain my cars (including a '94 dodge colt...235,000 miles) without the aid of a shop. I'd like to continue that since I dont make $100/hr and therefore cant afford to pay someone $100/hr.

What do ya think? Will maintaining a 244 be like starting all over?

Thanks,
Darrel

 

Nah... same drivetrain! Just crappier electrics (old ceramic fuses), and some things like the heater blower, etc. The 240 line is direct from the 140 line which was designed in the 60's... Definitely quite similar over all.

 

the 240's are VERY similar to the 7/9's of the same generation. same transmissions, same engines with very minor changes (no turbos on later years, side-of-engine distributor instead of end-of-camshaft, the LH2.2 years used a different ICU)

there's some subtle differences in the front and rear suspension... the 7/9's used a subframe in the rear with torque arms above/below the drive axle, while the 240's used side by side torque arms and a pivot bushing on the rear axle and trailing arm.. the 7/9 has a 2 piece lower front control arm, while the 240 has a 1 piece.

the 7/9 have better cabin ventilation, with a QUIET fan, thats also easier to access, the 240 fan is in the middle of the console, and our 240 was always rather noisy on any speed above '1'.

the 7/9 have completely different dashboard wiring and fuse panels. 240's have the relays scattered all over instead of centralized.

240's are a little taller, have a little(lot?) more wind noise at speed, 740/940's are more aerodynamic.

7/9's have better speaker mounting positions in the doors. they also have a nicer interior panel on the doors, the 240 one is rather primitive.

other than those things, they are damn near identical.

avoid 1981-1987 for any volvo, those years had bad wiring.

 

well the guy with the ad has went from $900 OBO a coupla weeks ago to $700 OBO this morning to $500 OBO this afternoon.

I pulled the trigger on an email to him just now and am waiting to hear from him.

Thanks for your replies.

 

740/940 89+

 

well for whatever reason she picked me to come out and look at the 1991 244...and she accepted $400 cash for the car

 

Hot damn, good deal!
Now, what's broken?

 

well its picky about when it wants to start. Previous owner thought it might be the starter...ya turn the key and ya get just one click. We tapped on it (the starter) as best we could to no effect. Then we tried to jump start it and it fired right up. Drove it home (about a 25 minute drive)....shut it off...turned the key and click. My kid went a separate way from where we bought it, no one is home right now to see if a jump start will work again. And my other kid has my multimeter.

Also, fuel gauge dont work.

Power steering leaks...from somewhere but the left side of engine is just soaked

Needs struts and shocks.

Valve cover leaks and I'd bet the pcv system aint been serviced in awhile.

BUT...it shifts smooth and fluid is red...no check engine light or any other dash lights and the interior is in fine condition for a 23 year old 240.

233,188 miles btw.

 

yeah, time for the multimeter, check the battery voltage before & during start, check the voltage from the battery + to the engine ground at the same time (a difference between the battery + to - and battery + to engine ground means the ground cable is bad).

I'd probably check the battery cable clamps too, or just take them off and clean them with a wire battery terminal and post brush...