Hi

Thanks to all of the great resources available on this site (and others), I have been incrementally making repairs. I thought I'd log them here.

First up 1989 volvo -

-Thermostat replacement - 15 bucks, i installed
-Muffler/resonator replacement - 100- 30 from a salvage yard and 70 to get it installed. Basically everything after the carburetor was swapped out for a hundred bucks...
- Right front strut assembly replacement - 30 bucks at salvage yard. I installed it.
- Front grill (thanks swiftjustice!) 60 bucks shipped.


1991 Volvo turbo

- Thermostat replacement - 15 bucks. I installed
- Left side mirror - 15 bucks. I installed
- Right fender - 30 bucks. I installed.
- Right headlight w/assembly and mounting stuff - 30 bucks. I installed
- Power steering rack - 30 bucks at salvage yard. I installed. (I saved big!)



Current 1991 turbo projects:
- Front and rear, shocks struts and springs. 300 bucks, i will install.
- Turbo rebuild, 60 bucks, rebuild kit. I will rebuild and install.
- Heater core replacement 150 bucks, I will install. (edit: 100 bucks! I just bought one off rock auto)


Today I just ripped out most of stuff to change out the heater core. Here is what she looks like





Check this picture out. She's pooling radiator fluid on BOTH sides! I was watching it drip, as I removed various panels. Nasty!



The 89 is in really good shape. I'm about done with the repairs. The 91 needs work, but I got if for 400 bucks. After the work, It'll still be under a 1000 bucks total. I'm really enjoying, learning how to fix these cars up. I'll keep everyone informed as to my progress. I don't plan on making these cars super nice, just want to keep them road worthy for cheap.

 

I finished replacing my heater core (and flushed the coolant system) yesterday! Today I bled the system and drove it Heat, defrost, and temperature control all work. No leakage in the interior.

The job took me about 15 hours, over 4 days. I took my time and drank a lot of beer throughout.

It was a pretty easy repair because I followed my haynes manual and these two guides:

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/Heat...eplacement.htm
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/Heat...eplacement.pdf

I highly recommend these if you want to replace your heater core and don't know how. The second link PDF is really helpful, as it has many pictures. I hope it's not against the rules to post links to other forums, if so then my bad...


Here are some pics:

First Pic, my car all tore up. The heater core was leaking on the bottom left corner.


Here it is all put back together. I did not put the carpet back in. I have rubber mats down. I may pull some carpet at a salvage yard and install at a later date..



The only problem I had was the new heater core did not line up with the holes in the firewall foam seal. I had to expand it with a drill bit and knife. I used high temp RTV to seal the opening. Hopefully it holds.. Swiftjustice (thanks) assured me it's not a big deal if its not 100% sealed.


Thanks for all the help I get on this forum.

Next project - Struts and springs (or maybe timing belt and oil seal)...