Hi everyone,
I am a total newb with Volvos and I am looking at buying 1988 740 Turbo with 256k miles. At 256k, it looks like it has been taken extremely good care of.

What should I look out for?
Other than the turbo, what will be the first engine component to blow?

How big is the stock turbo (in comparison to another to turbo such as t3/t4)?
How much boost do these cars run stock?
What is their boost limits?

What engines can be swapped into this car?
Would another turbo 740 engine be difficult to find or expensive?

Thanks,
Alex

 

if the car has been taken care of, then the engine sould be fine. my 240 has been taken care of and none of th engine components are in risk of going. so if you take care of the engine, then the only part i can think of that will need servicing is the turbo. in terms of other engines that can be swapped in, for a volvo, it seems like the sky is the limit. swapping in another 740 engine would be easy. a cheap but working engine might go for upwards of a couple hundred (?)

 

If it looks good go for it ive seen those engines with 350,000 on them and still run fine.The only other things i can tell you to look for would be look at the speed sensor that mounts to the back of the engine by the trans.If the outer sheilding is cracking it will need to be replaced.If not it might start stalling on you.With money there are many things you can do to the engines to.A buddy of mine has one that runs 13.50 in the quarter mile.Hope this helps some.

 

http://www.discreteautos.net

 

for what it's worth. I just bought an 86 740 turbo with 310k on it. It appears to be well taken care of and I intend on keeping that trend going.

 

Im glad to hear there are still a lot of high milage cars still running great out there!!

 

While I can't speak to most of your specific questions I can tell you my 88 has 287K mi on the original turbo [sm=icon_rock.gif] and is still kickin! I've taken very good care of it and anticipate many more miles.

 

I know this is an old post, but....

I just bought an '88 740 turbo with 220k miles and has definately NOT been taken care of. Had this been most other cars I am sure it would have been sent to the smasher a long time ago. There's a lot of work I've done to this car and much more to be done to get it in the shape I want it to. I'm sure I'll have plenty to contribute to this forum :P.