I just bought my first Volvo yesterday. Its not in the best shape but the car is solid and I was really needing something cheap to have when my Audi gives me trouble (which is often). Long story short I bought 1990 740 turbo with 202xxx miles and a big dent down the side.

It is not without issue though. The car smokes some and smells like burning oil. There was some oil in the intercooler tubing but not much. It does not smoke at full throttle or at all on the interstate. Mostly when I come to a stop or coasting. Sometimes after I come to a stop and then take off. If its the turbo I will just rebuild it but it feels fairly tight with minor thrust play (in and out). Possibly PCV? I have 19T I might swap in.

Both tail lighs are toast. The 1990-92 are expensive compared to the early style. Is it possible to use the early styles ones instead of the 90-92?

Are there any other places of interest that I should show concern?

Also how hard is manual swap since my is an auto?

Thanks inadvance guys!

 

a manual swap requires a new flywheel, you replace your 2 pedals with the 3-pedal assembly including the clutch pedal and master cylinder, you replace the gear shifter and linkage, the transmission itself, the drive shaft, and the rear axle.

and there aren't very many M46+OD manuals suitable for a turbo left.

can't help you with the tail lights, I own a wagon 740/940 wagon tail lights are all interchangable

 

I found the tranny but that was it. I am sure the small stuff could be located but the rear end I was hoping I could use. I could just fab a drive shaft.

I thought the 5speed was m47 though.

How well does the auto hold up to turbo abuse? It would be fun to have a complete beater that I can beat up on some stangs with.

 

the 5 speed M47 was never mated with a turbo, its not sturdy enough.

the AW71 automatic on a turbo is a rock solid transmission. these are a heavy duty version of essentially the same transmission as used on many toyotas, including RWD turbo supras and cressidas in the 80s, as well as toyota pickups for many years.

now, if you're boosting your motor somewhere north of 250HP, you'll need something beefier. and you'll probably want to be over on the turbobricks forum where they do that stuff ...

 

I am actually surprised how peppy the car is. This is coming from a guy that owns a GT3071R powered Audi A4! The smoking issue has resolved itself. I did notice the oil level even when cold is above the full line so the ding dongs I got the car from probably over filled it and it had to burn it off.

The other issue is tail lights. I have to get them to get the inspection sticker. I can get both the pre 90's for the cost of just one 90-92. I am hoping someone chimes in...

 

90-92 lights are rarer, cost more... Try ebay, both used or aftermarket, they are available; or a local junkyard...

 

Will the early version not work? The bolt pattern is the same but I am unsure about the connector. I paid $400 for the car. It would hurt my feelings to pay more then $100 for the pair....

 

crap, I was gonna compare the wiring diagrams, but I don't have 740 diagrams except the 91/92 that are essentially 940's except for the sedan tail lights

if the old style lamps bolt on, it shouldn't be difficult to wire them up. on the later version.

left tail:
red wire - pin 1 - parking light
black wire - pin 6 - ground
yellow-red - pin 2 - brake
grey - pin 8 - rear fog
green - pin 3 - left turn

right tail:
brown-white - 1 - parking
black - pin 6 - ground
yellow - pin 8 - brake
grey - pin 2 - rear fog
blue-green - 3 - right turn

weird that pins 8 and 2 are swapped on the two sides, I wonder if that was a typo?

you'll need to find the wiring diagram for the older style 740 lamps elsewhere.

 

This is what I am considering since the lights are so much cheaper. The connectors I think are differnt but I called a parts yard in California that deals strcitly with Volvo and Saab and I was told any 85-93 will work.

I guess we will find out.

 

worse case, hack the connectors off a earlier style 740 in a JY, and use that with the earlier style lights.