The aluminum coolant passages on the B280 are in great shape, which isn’t exactly a surprise with such a low-mileage motor. Once I replaced the split water pump I reassembled it with a new thermostat and had it ready to go and was feeling good. As I was test fitting the radiator and hoses recently …
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Aluminum corrosion
The aluminum thermostat housing and related tubes on my original motor were in terrible shape with major pitting and corrosion, but fortunately the ones from the replacement motor are much better. I still spent some time cleaning them up. I’m not exactly sure why, but these aluminum parts tend to corrode more often and more …
Wood in cars
I put the bertone door panels in my car many years ago and have conditioned the leather a couple times a year but otherwise haven’t touched them. Recently someone else noticed the veneer panels are looking a little faded and could use some cleaning and oil to keep them in shape. It had not even …
Snabb intake upgrade
Last time the 850R was at the shop they noted that the factory intake pipe from MAF to turbo was on its last legs and needed replacing soon. Which sounded to me like a great excuse for an upgrade. The stock pipe is an accordion type plastic hose and is a slightly smaller diameter than …
Functional fogs
Well, sort of. Factory fog lights on 850s are more cosmetic than functional. But the single most annoying thing about them is that they do not turn on unless the low beam headlights are on. Which is a little frustrating because if it gets foggy enough to need fog lights then the low beam headlights …
AW71 accumulator mod
Though the AW71 should be able to handle all the power the B280F makes and more as is I decided to shim the accumulators while it was out of the car and relatively dry. More because if I’m going to do it now is the time rather than feeling a need to do it. But …
B280 oil and water
I have not given up on the Bertone project. Though it is admittedly hard to tell due to the lack of progress. Today I used a vacation day to get some work done. The replacement b280F has been sitting for the better part of a decade so I am replacing some of the more common …
C70 rear subframe brace
The rear subframe brace from a c70 convertible fits the front wheel drive 850/70 series cars, so I decided to install one and see how it affects the handling and ride of the 850R. Aftermarket companies makw chassis braces that work in a similar way but why not have the one Volvo made to reinforce …
do88 Intercooler again
I ordered a do88 Intercooler for the 850 when I bought the one for the 240, but I delayed installing it now because I was planning to do an aluminum radiator at the same time. I thought I should probably wait until I do a manual swap so I don’t have two empty plugs for …
960 wheel
This may be the fastest major change I have ever made to a car. In about a half hour I went from this: To this: It is a steering whee and airbag from a 96 960. I’m keeping my eye out for a leather s90/v90 wheel, but for now this vinyl wheel looks so much …