[Phattires68]

Well ladies and gents. My 68 1800S's 20 year slumber is officially over. She is tagged, insured and inspected.
I did all of this work... spent all this money... but I have never ridden in a 1800. This was my first time to ride in one.
First impressions:
This thing is a tank
This thing is a slug (I've got some engine issues... keep reading)
This thing has some serious blind spots (rear view and side mirror are a joke)
This thing needs a some serious suspension stiffening
This thing is the absolute coolest car I've ever driven
Quirky... very much so
Neato.... off the charts

I did all the work myself except for final tuning. I don't know the in's and out's of these carbs or the motor so I let a pro do that. Compression test shows 3 cylinders have 120 lbs and one has 50 lbs. Since it is not smoking, I suspect a valve was in the open position for so long that the valve or seat has rusted. I'm going to drive it around for 50-60 miles to see if it gets better. If not, it's valve job time...
You won't believe this... the car came with the A/C. The compressor was not seized and was STILL holding pressure. Put 2 lbs of freon in it and I've got a Brrrrrr.... cold air conditioner. Unbelievable.

Now the question:
The overdrive is not working so need some assistance. First the O/D switch is missing. Funny thing is that when I move the high tone horn selector (looks like the turn signal lever but on the right side of the steering wheel), I hear a relay kick in and the red O/D warning light in the dash comes on. I haven't chased down the wiring but has anyone heard of this conversion?

Next question:
If done properly do poly bushings squeak 6 months after install. First months no prob, but what about after.... Anyone have experience with poly bushings? I prefer stiff cars so I may go with poly anyway.

Last one for now:
Bisteins or Bisteins that have been re-valved in the rear... is the extra $200 worth it? This will be a street car that sees occasional track time.

 

[Phil Singher]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

Congrats! And yes, 1800s feel very strange at first -- took me about two weeks to really feel comfortable in mine, but then they're great forever.

Compression: You may just have a stuck ring that will free up with more driving (or not). Having the carbs in perfect condition and tune is essential to getting what performance there is to be had out of a B18, as is proper ignition timing and advance. We can discuss these topics in more detail later.

Suspension: A heavier front sway bar (yes, IPD will sell you just the front one) will do wonders for the handling, and I recommend that as the first upgrade. I don't favor adding a rear bar at all, although some folks like them. If you have Bilsteins now, I would consider having the rears revalved. I you don't have Bilsteins, buy Konis instead. I've had no problems with poly bushings squeaking.

Blind spots: If you have the common, trapezoidal-shaped outside mirrors with the mounting arm at the rear of the base, you never will see anything useful on the passenger side. There's another version that has the arm at the front of the base -- those are much better, and you'll also be able to open the vent wings. Get used to turning your head when changing lanes in any case.

OD: '64 was the last year with a toggle switch on the dash, and separate high and low horns. The stalk on the right of the steering column is the correct switch for your car. Assuming you have the original D-type OD (solenoid on the right side), there's a set of breaker points inside the rubber cap and plastic plate that's inside the cap. Try giving those a cleaning.

 

[gdill2]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phil Singher)

http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=117226

George Dill

 

[stev vanveit]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

Way to go on getting your car on the road. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif
The feeling is something else and it's nice to hear your enthusiasm.

Regarding blind spots!

My insurance agent recommended that when in the car shift your body to the middle of the car over the stick and adjust the passenger side mirror accordingly (you'll need some help re: mirror). Now slide your left shoulder and head flush to the driver side window so your cheek is on the glass - set mirror accordingly. Finally shift your body back to normal seating position and view your mirrors left and right. They are now set to eliminate blind spots. My agent also covered his back side and said to always shoulder check.

 

[Phattires68]

Thanks gang. My car only has the a small round side mirror on the driver's side. Need to get something better.

As for Suspension, I placed an order with John Parker today for Progressive rate springs bushings and for shocks (Bilstein re-valved). Yup... I'm broke. But I'll say goodbye to the marshmellow suspension. I know, I know not step by step but I really need to get this car finished. My daily driver bit the dust so I'm in a bind.

Overdrive is the D type. I've got plan on working on it this weekend.

For the rear end and transmission I plan on using Royal Purple 75-90 synthetic. Any concerns with this?
The OD calls for 20W40 never heard of it. It also mentions you can use 30wt. What do you guys recommend?

Last anyone know of a exhaust system kit at a good price?
Mine is trash and need to replace it. I'm going to check out the local shops and might have them fab one up. Probably less quality but this ain't no race motor...

 

[Phil Singher]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

That all sounds good. You are still going to want a heavier front sway bar, even with the VPD springs and Bilsteins (trust me on this!).

I use 80W-90 GL-5 gear oil in the rear end and tranny/OD. Nothing wrong with Royal Purple, if you want to go with a synthetic.

The Simons sport exhaust, sold by IPD, Skandix, or iROLL Motors is a nice upgrade, and you can install it yourself.

 

[Phattires68]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phil Singher)

Are those exhaust systems bolt in? I don't have a welder.

 

[stev vanveit]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

Quote, originally posted by Phattires68 »

Last anyone know of a exhaust system kit at a good price? Mine is trash and need to replace it. I'm going to check out the local shops and might have them fab one up. Probably less quality but this ain't no race motor...

Check out the exhaust I had installed on my 1800ES. You could easily order it if you want and it takes 3 clamps.

Anyway check it out. (for some reason it is filed incorrectly under SAAB - click on "other products", click on "SAAB" and then scroll down to page 2 and open under 1800ES to hear and see the system).

Maybe you can swing it. It's cheaper with the CDN dollar and no tax as your out of country.

Good luck.

Stebro Stainless PerformanceStebro stainless performance, custom auto mufflers.
http://www.stebro.net/ - 32k - Cached - Similar pages -

 

[Phil Singher]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

Quote, originally posted by Phattires68 »

Are those exhaust systems bolt in? I don't have a welder.

Yes, it all clamps together. All the mounting hardware is included in the kit.

 

[Phattires68]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (stev vanveit)

Stev, what made you do use this over the Skandix stainless for $650? I Can see it is polished and looks great. Larger diameter pipes? Better performnace? Better sound I assume?

 

[stev vanveit]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

First off I didn't know Skandix even existed.

Second, IPD didn't sell original systems and they gave me tips of other companies to contact and wished me luck.

Third, I surfed around and found many sites but they either had some parts but not the whole - which made me leery as I didn't want to do a half job.

I started to get discouraged (a bit) and realised that if a part is not available one can have it made so that it doesn't take away from the originality and value of the car. My car is a survivor all original - it still has the original radiator for example - and I'm trying to keep "Whitney" that way. Yes the car is a she.

"Stebro" did a fantastic job and they were so excited they wanted to film it, if that was okay with me. I said sure and they gave me a special deal as Whitney became their prototype for sales and marketing.

I highly recommend Stebro. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

PS: Go into the site and click on the video to hear it. I had the engine tuned right after the install. It sounds even better, conservative though.

 

[Phattires68]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (stev vanveit)

Yup. Spoke with the folks from Stebro. They are a class act for sure. I think I'm going to go with a less expensve set for now as th motor's health is still in question and body/paint expenses are soon to come.

Really do like that setup though.

 

[John2x240]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

Stebro (founded by Peter Broeker ... is he still there Stev?) has been around since the late '50s, and in the '60s they also built a few race cars. I put a Stebro "muffler" on my '61 MG Midget (bought new in '61) and it was well made and tough as nails. If that car is still running around somewhere, I'll bet the Stebro is still on it.

 

[gdill2]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (John2x240)

http://stebro.net/html/Default...=1086

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Broeker

George Dill

 

[Walrus3]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (gdill2)

I tried to find the clip and went to the site and your posted link but found NOTHING related to Volvo.
There was one link in the site marked 164, so I clicked on that but it came up blank. (I was disappointed, having had 2 164s, one of them for 38 years. Should sound pretty good with proper exhaust system.)

 

[stev vanveit]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Walrus3)

Anyway check it out. (for some reason it is filed incorrectly under SAAB - click on "other products", click on "SAAB" and then scroll down to page 2 and open under 1800ES to hear and see the system).

Try this Walrus3 they filed it incorrectly - hopefully they will have a Volvo heading soon.

Just spoke with Dan at Stebro and he is about to update his home page index. In addition he will adjust his price into segments for those that want just certain pieces. Be surprised he said.

Modified by stev vanveit at 10:54 AM 6-4-2009

 

[stev vanveit]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

I spoke to Dan at Stebro and he's in the process of making price adjustments. Give him another call - you might be surprised.

 

[Phattires68]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phil Singher)

Question in the oil for the trans/OD. The shop manual specifically says do not use hypoid oil. Isn't that what 80-90 gear oil is? Casteroil makes a 20-50 motor oil that is in the range of what the manual calls for 30wt or 20-40

Still no overdrive... bummer. I might have to sent this one to a mechanic. I cleaned the ground wire but still don't know if it is the probem. I'm not sure I want to tear into the overdrive.

 

[gdill2]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (Phattires68)

Have you checked the OD solenoid?

George Dill

 

[Phattires68]

Re: 8 months from purchase date... I took my first cruise!!! (gdill2)

Really showing my brilliance here....

How?

I do happen to have a spare engine tranny and overdrive w solenoid.