Hello, I came across a Volvo 240 GLE . I have the VIN but can't decode it using Google, etc. Any help would be appreciated. I don't know the year and was hoping the VIN would provide more information about the car.

*vc26469a1090031*

Thanks.

 

You need 17 characters for a VIN. I count 15 in yours.

Or did you purposely * them out? Is it

yvc26469a1090031*?

 

I copied it over directly from the photo of the VIN fender tag. The only other option is the next box over has a 31 in it, but it is seperate from the previous number.

 

 

How about the plate or sticker in the door jamb?

(yep can't get that number to come up either - but does it have a v-6 in it (a 264?)

 

Your vc26469a1090031 code says you have a four door 260 (264) with a B28F engine (69), 1980 model year (A) made in Torlanda (Gothenberg) (1) with a chassis serial # 090031. Fun fact, Volvo went to the 16 digit "YV" style VIN that most decoders need in 1981...

 

Here's the shopping tip for the day:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325416801168

Amazing!

 

Sorry, I've been off-line for a couple of days.

That is excellent information , thanks. I didn't think to look for a door sticker. I saw the car in Nevada and was able to take a few photos. It has the Lambda Sond badge on the grill and considering that I didn't recognise that name, I became more curious about the car. I thought it might be a fancy version of something. It seems to be in very good shape, no visible rust although I didn't look underneath to the floorboards.

It is a long way from my home and I doubt if I can make it worthwhile to bring it home and get it running. But I will keep exploring options.

 

Is the B28F engine anything special?

 

Yes it was very special. Renault. Peugeot, Volvo and Delorean shared that engine. The early v-6s did not fire evenly (every 60 degrees) due to the angle of the V (120degrees?) and the crankshaft used. Note the position of the poles on the distributor cap below. Made for not the smoothest idle. The Volvo version tended to eat rocker arms and camshafts - cam and rocker shafts slid out the back of the head - into holes you drilled into the firewall for clearance! Filled those with Volvo supplied rubber grommets.

Hence the 264 did not earn a good name. A common fix for a special Volvo - the chop top 2 door 262 Bertone crown coupe - was to install the 4cyl turbo drive train from a 240 as a more reliable engine. If the engine is still viable - I've seen where DeLorean people are searching for good ones.

There's a reason that car is sitting - it cost too much to fix.

 

sounds like a candidate for a "Roadkill Garage" episode where they do a small block Chevy swap :-)