Hello there, i am a first time volvo owner, loved them forever and found a 87 740 turbo wagon 4spd with OD for what i thibk was a grest price. Im wondering if there are any issues, besides the mechanical basics that i should be aware of.i was also looking for some good websites for parts.

Thanks, Roger

 

Websites: Pelican Parts, eEuroparts, both with great prices and selection.

Change your differential fluid if you don't know when it was last changed. Brake lines would be worth a look too. If your heater control valve is original or rough-looking, change it as preventative maintenance. If that fails, all your coolant gets pumped out in a minute. Can't think of too much else at the moment.

Enjoy your brick!

 

also parts at Genuine & OEM European Car Parts | BMW Volvo Audi VW Mercedes Saab, Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialist Since 1963
for /real/ volvo parts not stocked by the above, TascaParts.com

wow, stickshift turbo wagons are /rare/

re: problems, biggest one potentially is that 1987 was the last year of 'biodegradable wiring harnesses'. many 1983-1987 Volvo harnesses have turned to crumbling junk, causing all sorts of erratic problems. sadly, the replacement harnesses for most models are no longer available from the mothership, so you're left with having to rebuild your harnesses if they suffer from the wire rot. often its the wires you CANT see that are inside the black rubber tubes that are the ones that crumble..

aftermarket parts quality for these (and most any other older vehicle) has trended towards 'pure junk' of late, with the massive influx of cheap chinese crap. any rubber parts like suspension bushings, etc, try and get real Volvo stuff if you can. Ditto electrical stuff, although Bosch stuff is mostly OK. Use Bougicord sparkplug wire sets.

I'd amplify modifiers advice to include the heater hoses, these are often neglected as they are hidden away between the engine and firewall.

try not to be tempted to lower the car, put stiff sport suspension on it, and +3 18" wheels, you'll just ruin the ride and look silly. I'd stick with the stock Boge-Sachs shocks/struts, and at most 16" wheels.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info. Im replacing the timing belt tomorrow, as well as the watee pump while im at it. The previous owner said he had done it, but cant rememeber when.

 

if the water pump isn't leaking, I wouldn't touch it. Volvo's maintenance schedule suggested a pump every OTHER timing belt, but a good pump with good seals will probably go twice that.

I'd only replace the timing belt if it looks worn out. they go 60K+ miles, and even if they do break, the engine is fine, its a 'non-interference' engine, so yeah, you'll need a tow home, but then its just a new belt and back on the road.

 

Thats good news. Thanks!

 

I bought a 1987 740 NA wagon last year. Yeah, what he said...Wire harness, BAD. Every piece of rubber suspension, BAD. Brakes, BAD (rear calipers were frozen). 164,000 original kms, Good! No rust, Good! $450 sale price, Good! Talked him down from $500.


When I was 17, I saw the Volvo ad of the 740 wagon racing SCCA in Road and Track 27 years ago. I knew I had to have one. That day has arrived. After changing the worn out, bad parts, my 740 wagon will be good for another 27 years!