Hi, new here and new to volvos. Just bought a 1990 Vovlo 740 GL. Man this car is a tank. So far I love it, other than a few issues like the sun roof dosen't work and the fact that the lights stay on when you turn the key on its a great car. Definitely lacking in the power department since the 4-banger lacks what it needs to push this sled around, Im thinking V-8 but unsure of how hard this is too do in one of these so any help pointing me in the right direction would be helpful.

 

installing a V8 engine is a major project, you need to change just about everything under the hood, and then if you start to leadfoot that big engine, you'll need to replace the transmission, the rear differential, etc etc. if you use a iron V8 like a chevy smallblock, you'll beefier front springs or the car will wallow on turns and tend to bottom out on bumps. stronger springs need stronger shocks.

re: the lights, do you mean the headlights, or the interior lights? Every volvo I've ever had, the headlights went out when you turned off the ignition. the interior dome lights should go out a few seconds after you close the doors, unless you put the switch in the 'always on' position, but there's a delay circuit in the dome light assembly that can fail, and under some failure modes they can stay always on if you don't switch them off manually.

re: lack of power, if the B230F (I imagine thats what you have, the standard 2.3L SOHC inline 4 non-turbo) should have sufficient power to move that car plenty fast, you just need to lean on it perhaps a little harder than you are used to, rev out 2nd gear and so forth. Sure, you won't win any drag races (but the 740, properly setup) handles really rather well for a big RWD car, and will eat up mountain roads with good tires and shocks.

 

Yeah I meant the headlights, no matter how I turn the headlight switch they stay on as long as the key is in the on position. I have never owned a car like this before but it seems like it should turn off to save power but am unsure of this. That bums me on the V8 I think it would be an awsome venture. Yeah Im new to rear wheel drive cars as well mostly had my hands on hondas and Toyota's so far but I have to say so far this car seems like fun.

 

the highbeam/lowbeam swithc works OK with the main light switch in the ON or OFF position?

is this a Canadian or US or some other model car? Could you post the VIN (x out the last 5 digits if you want to anonymize it).

my 1992 740/940 wiring diagrams show SEVEN different nationalized headlight configurations.

 

wow yeah I will post the vin 2moro since the car is at my work, since I just bought it I am trying to work out the few bugs I have with it. Also the sunroof dosent work and according to the previous owner it is useless to try and locate the parts needed to fix it. Do you agree?

 

totally forgot the vin, it has been a trying day. Hopefully will remember 2 moro. If I want to add more power to this car where should I start looking?

 

i'll be offgrid the rest of the week and into next.

re: more power, I dunno, here's ONE extreme...
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...er-mods-40947/

unless you're a master mechanic with a full shop, I'd not even think of going down that route, however.

best way to get a faster 740 is to find a 740 or 940 turbo, ideally 1991+ as they sorted out a bunch of issues by then. or a 760 V6.

 

some sweet rides on there, ahh for now Im going to drive and enjoy but who knows, I never leave any car factory that I buy so I will eventually start somewhere.