Hey lev, hey pierce:
Long time no pester. I thought I would log on one last time (until the next old Volvo comes into my life anyway) to write the epilogue to this never-ending story.
So, I kind of p*ssied out and brought the car to a shop down the road to have the exhaust work done and brake fluid changed, and also to have its inspection updated (which update put my mind at ease about my brake work, as it was apparently decent enough not to raise any red flags). Car is running great, my son has been driving it for a while now, no issues starting, fuel pump steady, T-stat/temp sensor/heater working brilliantly, which is very nice indeed as winter is here in the cruelest form I can remember in years living up here in upstate NY (also repaired broken wiring to driver's seat-heater before it was all over, so that's a comfort too). Which cruelty is, in fact, why I folded my tent and departed the field, declaring victory, I think fairly.
As it happens, my old phone backed up to the cloud every photo it took over the course of this long journey, so I am able to post the photo I had long intended to post when this was all over, namely the pic that shows where that "car part from the ocean floor" went; sure enough, it was an exhaust clamp. Couldn't really get a pic that clearly exhibits the fit, though; you'll have to take my word for it that the little hunk of junk dropped snugly into place there like a peg in a hole.



Thank you, gentlemen, for all your help.

Mark

 

I really admire your perseverance especially with all the rust you had to fight! I never have been faced with much rust and give up at the first sign of it. You really did a lot and for a novice give yourself a big pad on the back--I never thought you were gonna make a useful car out of that Volvo!

 

jah! I'm so glad our mid-west coast 80s/90s cars aren't rusty.