I emailed the seller and he said that he would give me $30.00 back and he thinks it was from shipping. So all in all with shipping I spent $90.00. That gives me some piece of mind, although I would of liked to spent more and not had the crack. Please check out the pics.

Before I install this dash, how can I treat this crack so it will not spread? and possibly seal it down permanently where the crack it will not be visible? I want that corner to look perfect and rounded near the windshield because that is one of the cool looks of the volvo 240 interior having that 3 dimensional rounded curve against the window corner. To me this is very important, so if anyone can please help.

Also, there are 3 long pins the go out from the edge of the dash(one one the left, one in the center, and one on the right) into the firewall of the car. The pins are fastened to the dash with rivets. The rivets are not tight and there is some play. Does this mean the dash will not be tight and firm when I install it?

 

Glad to hear you got some sort of satisfaction. Having dealt w/ Philvo for years, I've found him to be an excellent seller. These dashes are brittle and often damage with impacts. You had a hell of a deal before he dropped the shipping. Super glue should hold those tiny pieces down. I've had good luck securing those loose guide pins with pop rivets on either side of the original mount. As for pricing, take a look at the item offered from IPD and then factor shipping to where you live...
http://www.ipdusa.com/version.asp?st...D=262&V_ID=897

 

There was another dash for sale that was about $55 more that had only one crack so I wouldn't say this was a steal, but I'm trying to make the best out this. $55 dollars is nothing to me when I think about holding on to the car for the rest of my life and trying to keep it restored.

To understand correctly, I should get a rivet gun and put more rivets in to stabilize those pins?

 

Well, pop rivets are what I used on my 144...but I had to separate the vinyl from the steel under support, rivet and then re-glue the vinyl. It may be simpler to either carefully use some very short self drilling screws or just use Liquid Nails. Each case is different...maybe just shimming between the base plate and the dash would suffice.

Uncracked dashes are scarce; generally found only in the northern tier of states and Canada. Here in Texas, such dashes routinely sell for $200 or more...plus shipping. Essentially, the truly pristine dashes will sell for what ever the market will bear. My 90 740 had a flawless dash 4 years ago. It has been slathered with vinyl protectant, has a carpeted dash mat and is garage kept. I pulled the Dash Mat to give it a good wipe down recently and discovered small cracks at both defrost vent corners. I've come to believe damage is inevitable.

 

I filled the cracks in mine w/ black modeling clay, it matched wall and you can shape it how you want.

 

Shew!! You the man!! I just used mine to store CD's.

 

I was thinking a black rubber cauking compound of some sort, something silicone that would stay elastic, might work. haven't tried it yet.

 

Perhaps roofing mastic or asphalt...

 

I can make the pins move about a 2/16 of an inch..maybe this would be considered some play. Without fixing it, would this be enough for the dashboard to be tight and snug when I install it?

I could use liquid nail as you said. But I wonder if the peg doesn't set exactly straight if it will put extra strain non the dashboard when forced in and over time create a crack.

 

hey, i haven't installed this yet. if anyone lives in austin texas, i'll see it to you for $50.00.

 

If you can wait until April 9th, I'll be in the neighborhood for the TxVCOA meet in Georgetown...will definitely take it off your hands...