Collected - 1987 Volvo 740 GL

[HillmanImp]

Volvo 1987 range has arrived. Many thanks @Tenmil Socket.

Here it is in my new folder with the Volvo travellers guide. 

I like this illustration on the 360, showing how I'm able to move around people AND luggage in different configurations. 

I assume if you had a 340, ski-ing was just a dream. 

Also arriving in the post at the same time was the owners manual that was found when clearing out the previous owners house. 

Looking at the fuel ratings though, I notice my 230K used to be recommended on 3 star petrol. 

So I'm wondering if I should be putting the fancy fuel in a Texaco if it used to need the lower octane shizzle when new?

[HillmanImp]

Just going to bump this as it was a genuine question about the fuel. 

I think higher octane fuel is harder to burn isn't it, so by putting it in my Volvo am I giving it a hard time considering the owners manual suggests it prefers lower octane stuff? 

I have been putting it in because I thought it would be better but I'm now thinking I should use the cheaper stuff. 

Ignoring the ethenol of course. 

I'm probably over thinking this TBH. 

[Sigmund Fraud]

12 minutes ago, HillmanImp said:

I think higher octane fuel is harder to burn isn't it

No, it's just less likely to self-ignite by being compressed.

How quickly a fuel burns when ignited (by the spark plugs) is a much, much more complex affair. My understanding (and a chemical engineer may correct me) is that modern fuels are actually easier to burn than what was around in the 1980s.

[HillmanImp]

Probably all the ethenol 'innit (no idea if that's right, just guessing). 

Probably alright using a bit of both still. Was just wondering if I should stick to the cheaper stuff. 😂 

[Sigmund Fraud]

I wouldn't worry at all about the effects of E10 on the engine - those redblocks are not exactly known for being fragile.

The main question is how the fuel system components will tolerate it - yours is a carb (IIRC) which should make it less of a nightmare to fix than a Jetronic, but the whole point of driving a bloody Volvo is to not be constantly worried about breaking down.

[HillmanImp]

17 minutes ago, Sigmund Fraud said:

the whole point of driving a bloody Volvo is to not be constantly worried about breaking down.

Yeah, its been like that with every Volvo I've owned except this one. Always teetering on the edge of something going wrong. 

Although (not wanting to jinx it) its not actually broken properly yet. 

[danthecapriman]

Volvo’s of the era are ok running on ethanol blended petrol. E10 is perfectly fine for them without worry.

I run mine on E10 without any additives and it’s fine, although mines a K-Jet car. I still give it a fill of the high octane stuff when I can though, probably pointless really, but it definitely seems to run better on it.

[captain_70s]

I run mine on E10, at 25mpg pottering around locally it’s all I can afford!

[HillmanImp]

Just popped out to see if I could see the northern lights (I couldn't) but did think the Volvo looked pretty cool. 

[HillmanImp]

Does anyone know where the idle adjustment screw is on a Pierburg carb on one of these. I can't figure out if I'm being stupid or blind.

[Sigmund Fraud]

 

[HillmanImp]

On 29/09/2024 at 21:20, Sigmund Fraud said:

 

I still can't find the fucker. 😂 

It can stay as it is until I save up for a weber conversion. 

[HillmanImp]

Clean pass this morning. 

They commented that it went straight through the emissions, so the Pulseair™ 1980s style emissions cheat is working even if it makes the car run like shit. 

Its definitely coming off when I can get round to it though.