Ask a Shiter

[3VOM]

This might not be the perfect thread but I don't think it deserves it's own. Volvo 240, 740 or 940? Which is best? Which engine to go for? Any particular problems with any of them? (Other than the fact that 240's have gotten a bit expensive lately).

It's more what do you want and which engine I think. (Starts argument with Ghosty).

https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/FAQSummary1.html

[Matt]

It's more what do you want and which engine I think. (Starts argument with Ghosty).

https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/FAQSummary1.html

 

Comfort, more space*, reliability. An even balance between performance and fuel economy would be nice (hence manual). Looking on eBay 240's have gotten really a bit too pricey by the looks of it so I'm mainly looking for 740 vs 940.

 

*Relative to a Suzuki Swift so all models apply really.

[Tickman]

Last week I went to change the Alternator on Sonic My 1972 Triumph Toledo:

 

 

I purchased a replacement which seemed to be the correct item:

 

 

Then I took the old one off:

 

 

I certainly didn't take the old one off before checking the new one decided to practice removal of the alternator and it went swimmingly as did refitting the one I had just taken off.

 

 

I cannot find a replacement the same as I currently have on the car. Can anyone help a stupid person?

[gordonbennet]

Its probably a simple rewire and a suitable plug of course to make it work, but is there a competent sparky nearby who could rebuild the original alternator for you.

[twosmoke300]

Such shiny Chinese plastic !

[Guest Hooli]

This might not be the perfect thread but I don't think it deserves it's own. Volvo 240, 740 or 940? Which is best? Which engine to go for? Any particular problems with any of them? (Other than the fact that 240's have gotten a bit expensive lately).

 

240. I much preferred driving them & they don't have the stupid lower dash trim that gets in the way of your toes if you take anything over a size 4  shoe (mind you, I don't expect many 700/900s do anymore either).

[fordperv]

I was talking with mrs fp earlier and the conversation got onto headlamp lenses and how new cars are pants with their plastic lenses, but what was the last produced car that still had glass lenses?

[Eddie Honda]

...at which point the answer becomes Morgan or something.

 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

As far as mass produced cars go, mk4 Golf had glass headlights until its demise in 2004. Always struck me as being unusual.

[twosmoke300]

Saab 9-5 had them fairly late . 

[Zelandeth]

The (dealer fit) sports headlights on my 2009 Peugeot 107 were glass lensed, though those aren't stock fitment so I don't know if they count.

 

Managed to crack both of them and have been unable to find replacements at sensible money anywhere...

[Tickman]

Its probably a simple rewire and a suitable plug of course to make it work, but is there a competent sparky nearby who could rebuild the original alternator for you.

 

The only auto electrician nearby will charge about 4 billion pounds to even look at it, I have the capability to do what is necessary but not the knowledge

 

Such shiny Chinese plastic !

 

Very very shiny. 

[Lacquer Peel]

As far as mass produced cars go, mk4 Golf had glass headlights until its demise in 2004. Always struck me as being unusual.

Skoda Octavia MK1 as well, and that was available til 2009 in western Europe.

[Supernaut]

As far as mass produced cars go, mk4 Golf had glass headlights until its demise in 2004. Always struck me as being unusual.

Have a photo I took while feeling arty in the local scrap yard.

 

[Lacquer Peel]

This might not be the perfect thread but I don't think it deserves it's own. Volvo 240, 740 or 940? Which is best? Which engine to go for? Any particular problems with any of them? (Other than the fact that 240's have gotten a bit expensive lately).

Diesel because they sound ace.

40MPG+ is possible but they average around 35MPG. Reliable but can suffer from cracked heads and neglected timing belts.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rDWrum4j4s0

[drum]

Tickman, I got Rod Ferrier's place in Forfar (Rod retired now) to rebuild a starter motor, but it was dear.

 

Have a look here for alternator wiring info http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/altplug.htm

[Tickman]

Tickman, I got Rod Ferrier's place in Forfar (Rod retired now) to rebuild a starter motor, but it was dear.

 

Have a look here for alternator wiring info http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/altplug.htm

That is exactly the sort of information I was looking for, thanks.

I know a rebuild will be expensive and was looking for a replacement to just keep it going. At the moment it is ok at higher revs but with winter having realistically arrived I would prefer it sorted.

[drum]

SQ1. Any sure fire way of identifying which wheel bearing is on the way out?

Can't tell from inside the car although sounds like the rear. Neither back wheel has any movement when jacked up and (leading to stupid question number two) the back wheels can't be spun freely to see if there's a rumble.

 

SQ2. Is there something wrong with my Santa Fe's rear diff as I can't turn a back wheel without the prop shaft turning?

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I don't know, but I put forward the Renault 12 as the car with the thinnest glass in the lens.

1978 and FathaN rented a Renault 12 TS ( with funky tombstone front seats) to drive from West Wales to Birmingham for GrandfathaN's funeral .

One of the headlights wasn't working, " Jump out and give it a tap " he says...

Even at 14 I was a heavey handed little fecker

Seem to remember he got a headlight from a scrappy rather than pay the Renault dealer in Aberyswyth.

I was not popular.

[DSdriver]

SQ1. Any sure fire way of identifying which wheel bearing is on the way out?

Can't tell from inside the car although sounds like the rear. Neither back wheel has any movement when jacked up and (leading to stupid question number two) the back wheels can't be spun freely to see if there's a rumble.

 

SQ2. Is there something wrong with my Santa Fe's rear diff as I can't turn a back wheel without the prop shaft turning?

Handbrake still on?

[phil_lihp]

Diff lock on?

[sierraman]

A Lucas ACR was quite a common alternator, try finding one off something else that used one.

[Asimo]

 

SQ2. Is there something wrong with my Santa Fe's rear diff as I can't turn a back wheel without the prop shaft turning?

 

 

The prop shaft has to turn if a wheel turns or if both wheels turn the same way. If one wheel turns one way and the other turns the opposite way at the same rate, then the prop shaft is stationary.

 

Put it in gear / park, release handbrake and turn one wheel: the other will go backwards.

 

If it is very stiff to turn then you have got some sort of limited slip differential. If it is completely solid and neither wheel will turn then the differential is locked.

[Guest Hooli]

SQ1. Any sure fire way of identifying which wheel bearing is on the way out?

Can't tell from inside the car although sounds like the rear. Neither back wheel has any movement when jacked up and (leading to stupid question number two) the back wheels can't be spun freely to see if there's a rumble.

 

SQ2. Is there something wrong with my Santa Fe's rear diff as I can't turn a back wheel without the prop shaft turning?

 

Q1 - take the handbrake off

Q2 - All open diffs do that when the other wheel is still on the floor sir

[drum]

Handbrake was off otherwise I wouldn't have been able to turn the wheel at all.

 

Must be some kind of lsd as it's stiff as hell. No such bother with my old land rovers.

[sierraman]

Making some repair plates for the Focus inner rear wing, will 0.8 mm zintec be enough thickness?

[Guest Hooli]

Handbrake was off otherwise I wouldn't have been able to turn the wheel at all.

 

Must be some kind of lsd as it's stiff as hell. No such bother with my old land rovers.

 

Which car? I don't recall you saying.

 

Was it in gear or autobox in P?  The cars I've had with LSDs have been easy enough to turn the wheel by hand. A bit stiffer than an open diff, but nothing difficult.

[drum]

Which car? I don't recall you saying.

 

Was it in gear or autobox in P?  The cars I've had with LSDs have been easy enough to turn the wheel by hand. A bit stiffer than an open diff, but nothing difficult.

Hyundai Santa Fe

[taxi paul]

In true autoshite fashion I am thinking of spending money to spray the corolla's bumpers, then see something else and sell at a loss and buy that. So can I get cans made up with the paint code. It's also metallic so will it need laquer has well. Don't won't to put it in garage to paint but £60 on paint may help me sell it when the time comes.

[somewhatfoolish]

In true autoshite fashion I am thinking of spending money to spray the corolla's bumpers, then see something else and sell at a loss and buy that. So can I get cans made up with the paint code. It's also metallic so will it need laquer has well. Don't won't to put it in garage to paint but £60 on paint may help me sell it when the time comes.

There's quite a few online providers who will take your paint code and flog you the aerosols to take your motor to rattlecan heaven. Halfords used to do it too, but I've not been in a Halfords for years so this useful service may have made way for bicycles and ripspeed tat.