Knockoff wheels are certainly aftermarket also. I’d contact Webasto directly, if they still exist, for a handle. I think that’s gonna be tough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Lots of awesome feedback from everyone, and thank you!

I'd contact Webasto directly, if they still exist, for a handle. I think that's gonna be tough.

Good idea, they are still around and still selling sunroofs. I just put out a message to Webasto through the contact form on their website. I'll post info back here if I get a response.

Are you familiar with recommendation for first start of the DJet, Ign Sys and Static Timing (no Ballast Resistor!)?

I am not, thanks for the pointers! I'll read up on that before firing her up for the first time.

You might register on the UK Volvo forum and ask there. I seen some discussions there on Webasto roofs.

Great idea, I just cross-posted over there, thank you!

From what I can tell, the missing handle isn't exactly a crank - it's a T-handle, similar to what I had in my '68 Mercedes 230S. This was actually a superior setup to a crank in which you flipped down the T-handle to rotate 180 degrees to unlock the roof and then manually position the roof and locking in place by rotating the T-handle back and flipping back up flush to the headliner. Webasto made this roof for Mercedes as well up through the 70s, so that opens the aperture for salvaged parts sources.

Yeah, this sounds a lot nicer than what I was imagining. It's also turned up something that looks quite similar. Might even be able to re-use this part is this what your part looks like?
Mercedes W123 Mechanical Sunroof Open Mechanism Sun Roof with Chrome Open Handle

 

Jim;

Welcome to this forum!

Good luck on the restoration project. Remember, when in doubt, there's a lot of knowledge out there to call upon...especially when you have your first start and get it running with the DJet FI system (the granddaddy of them all)! Are you familiar with recommendation for first start of the DJet, Ign Sys and Static Timing (no Ballast Resistor!)? If not, here is some suggested reading: SW-EM Volvo Ignition from Scratch ...for Djet: SW-EM Bosch D-Jet Notes

See what you can do on your own with Webasto...if no joy, I can ask about a replacement crank/parts on the German forum.

Cheers from Connecticut!

 

Welcome. You might have luck keeping an eye on EBay. There's one there right now, but it doesn't look like the right one for you.

Sunroof winder handle. Classic car. Webasto | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sunroof winder handle. Classic car. Webasto at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

It's my understanding that the Webasto products were far more popular in Europe. You might register on the UK Volvo forum and ask there. I seen some discussions there on Webasto roofs. Yes, probably more regarding the soft ones, but you might find someone with the knowledge of yours. And you'll find lots of other info there too.

PV, 120 (Amazon), 1800 General - Volvo Owners Club Forum

Forum for the Volvo PV, 120 and 1800 cars

www.volvoforums.org.uk

You might consider removing the Webasto before painting, there could be some rust in there. And you'll likely need a new weatherstripping/seal given the age of yours and how long it's been sitting.

Looks like a well preserved example you have there!

 

Jim,

From what I can tell, the missing handle isn’t exactly a crank - it’s a T-handle, similar to what I had in my ‘68 Mercedes 230S. This was actually a superior setup to a crank in which you flipped down the T-handle to rotate 180 degrees to unlock the roof and then manually position the roof and locking in place by rotating the T-handle back and flipping back up flush to the headliner. Webasto made this roof for Mercedes as well up through the 70s, so that opens the aperture for salvaged parts sources.

Looks like a great car. Good luck!


Cheers,

Chris

 

I do not have a Volvo P1800 parts manual; but, I do have a 140 parts manual. The 140 did have a factory installed sun roof option. It was a sliding sun roof, not pop up and I suspect that the 1800 ES probably used the same mechanism. Being sliding, it would not have been usable in the 1800E. To confirm that your 1800ES sunroof is factory, check your VIN using one of the vintage Volvo decoders. One of the numbers will indicate whether it came factory equipped with a sun roof. The following comments are predicated on this being a factory sun roof.

On the 140, the crank is part number 681100. That part number still gets a hit on Volvo dealer part web sites so it may still be available from Volvo. Although it looks like a replacement part may have superseded the original part so it might not be identical.

681100 - Volvo Crank | Volvo Parts Webstore, Oak Park IL

My 142E does not have a sun roof; but, my 1979 242 GT had a sunroof and the crank in the parts diagram for the 140 sure looks like what I remember the crank looking like on my 242 (although the last time I set eyes on the crank was 34 years ago so .....). If you can find a junk yard with some 240 Volvos you may be able to find a replacement crank. The other option is to contact High Performance Automotive in Torrance CA.

Hi Performance Auto Service

These guys have a trove of Volvo parts not on their website and may have a crank or may be able to source a crank for you. They may be able to help you with whatever seals you are looking for.

The engine looks very spiff - like mine used to. I have the same IPD aluminum valve cover. It is hard to tell with yours; but, mine had a black matte crinkle finish on it. Looks OK when clean; but, only stays clean for about 1 week and then it looks like merde. I media blasted mine to get it clean and smooth the rough surface and then had it powder coated in faux chrome with a high gloss clear. Looks much better because the silver doesn't show the dirt and the high gloss finish helps to shed the dirt.

I don't know whether your plan is to try and use the PCV hose that you have from the oil filler cap to the intake manifold; but, I know that on my 140 and I suspect on the 1800 that loop is going to hit the hood and crimp. The original Volvo piece was a molded hose with a 90 deg bend and it is still available from vintage Volvo specialists.

The wheels are definitely not Volvos. I think the 1800E (and I think the later ES) came with a wheel that looked like the one on VP Autoparts home page.

VP Autoparts USA (vp-autoparts.com)

I have a 1971 Canadian brochure which shows those wheels as standard for the 1800E. Those wheels have a checkered history. I think the very first versions referred to as the Dunlop wheel were an aluminum center fastened to a steel rim.
Volvo P1800. Fergat 5x15. 5/70 Date Code -C2- | eBay
Because of galvanic corrosion they are a bit of a safety / reliability nightmare. I 'think' Volvo switched to all aluminum on later cars perhaps based upon the ATS / Volvo accessory wheel. Volvo did offer all aluminum accessory wheels for their cars in the early 70s using a wheel made by ATS. I have the original 5 spoke ATS wheel on my 140. Chinese reproductions of this wheel are available

Alloy wheel ATS 1800 70-73/140/240 | Discs, Wheels and Accessor (vp-autoparts.com)

Reproductions of the wheel shown on the VP Autoparts homepage also used to be available; but, they no longer appear to be available.

 

The wheels are definitely not Volvos. I think the 1800E (and I think the later ES) came with a wheel that looked like the one on VP Autoparts home page.

Aha, ok. Guessing someone was doing these aftermarket back in the 1970s then. I'm digging these wire wheels, so I guess I'll just see if I can get them cleaned up.

I don't know whether your plan is to try and use the PCV hose that you have from the oil filler cap to the intake manifold; but, I know that on my 140 and I suspect on the 1800 that loop is going to hit the hood and crimp. The original Volvo piece was a molded hose with a 90 deg bend and it is still available from vintage Volvo specialists.

Thanks for the tip, just bought one!

 

Glad to see you could find a solution.

IMHO, the Webasto roof is a brilliant approach to making a simply functional sunroof... MUCH easier (and less problematic) to operate than the common crank setup. That roof was one of my favorite features of my dearly departed Fintail.

Congrats on a successful hunt and best of luck in the repair effort.


Chris