I did something very stupid, but that doesn't change the fact I need to fix it.

I bought a 79' 244 online. Asked the guy a million questions, payed a fairly hefty amount, but I thought it was fair ($7200)

Absolutely no rust (from as best I can tell) and body looks great

That's about where the good ends.

It has *NO* pickup

It stalls

Sunroof doesn't completely crank closed

Very hard to start

rough idle (when I can keep it idling)

leaking oil

reverse lights are out

I'm sure the mileage is wrong (73k. This one I figured was bull****, but i know the odometers are often not very accurate on 240s)

Probably can't get up to 20 mph.

​

So... it's a basket case.

I asked about all this stuff and was told "everything was working"

I mean, the guy went through my list point by point, and he had an answer for everything.

It came from a small dealer in New Jersey.

I'm in Massachusetts.

​

I'm actually willing to put a fair bit of cash into the car too, but I'm wondering if anyone knows where I can send something like this!

​Luckily I don't need it as a daily driver, and I figured it would need some work, but not this much!

I thought the thing could drive at least!



And yes, I've contacted a lawyer. According to a bunch of places I've looked, "As-Is" doesn't cover outright lies. Pretty much everything I asked about is %100 not working. We did it all through emails, so I have timestamped records, for what it's worth.

​

I am not rich, but I'm willing to sort the car out, just need a shop that will work on it. I know it's gonna be a lot, but I think I can handle it. As long as I get a running car!



I'm grateful for any advice y'all have to give, specifically if anyone knows someone in the northeast who can do a drivetrain resto on a 79 240.



I got it tonight, and I'm going to try to register it tomorrow, so at least it will be "street legal"



This could actually be a decent project for a mechanic that wants to make some cash.



I used to know a guy named Paul Newcombe around these parts, but I can't get ahold of him. He really did amazing work.



I have a 1990 240 wagon that is currently out of commission, maybe it could be used for the engine? that was still good last time I drove it (5 years ago)

Thanks so much for any advice in advance. And please, don't beat up on me too much... I know what I did was absolutely stupid.

 

Not sure about other parts, but if you really want to keep it, I would start from the engine(assume it the original one), do a compression test first, if reading good, fuel filter, carb clean/rebuild, fresh plugs and everthing. If still no good, check the timing and ignition, also run some fresh gas, just in case the old gas in the tank is no good. Giving that you still managed to get it started, hopefully the engine just needs a tune up.

 

Thanks for the tips.
Today is looking a lot better. I got her started, and the car actually drives. I wouldn't want to take it far, but it does "go".

I took it on about a mile round trip. I should have gotten gas, but I didn't head the test drive in that direction.

Amazingly, I found another small volvo shop a town over from where I live that doesn't mind working on a CIS car (some of the other ones I talked to really dislike the idea of working on a K-JET).

I think the first thing I need is to replace all the mounts, but I'm letting the pro figure that one out.

I'm tempted to push her harder, but I don't want anything to torque out real hard and cause damage.

I was also able to get it properly titled and plated, so what felt like a nightmare yesterday is just seeming like I paid a little more than I would have preferred to today.

TL;DR Cars not as bad as I thought, but it's still gonna be one hell of a project

Thanks for the tips, I agree that all those things should be done. I did not know a good order, so I very much appreciate that info.

 

We all make errors. However, consider that a '79 is over 40 years old! So maybe a rebuild is in order anyway. It's not too expensive if you can do the disassembly/reassembly yourself. I had a really good experience with the IPD rebuild kit almost 20 yrs ago on my "81 DL. It still drives wonderfully. Make sure the trans is worth reinstalling and if its an auto consider going to an AW70 with overdrive. Buy the way are you aware all the Volvo Green shop manuals are still available for free!

 

Didn't thought it was a K-jet, those things are tricky and do not like sitting around, they need regular drive. Giving that its a K-jet sitting for extended time, that could be the main problem. Rebuild and adjust them is quite painful, if you get a decent mechanic that can do it I would say go for it. Otherwise you can always convert it to carb, but that would be quite some work as well. Cheers!

 

Good to hear it's not that bad. I second the recommendations to first study, do testing, then ask questions. Don't take a chance on putting yourself in the position of having to be towed to a shop unfamiliar with early 240's. They may just replace a lot of expensive stuff by trail and error and your money.