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 …
Category Archives: Bertone
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 …
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 …
Automatic compromise
I have decided to simplify the B280 install by sticking with an automatic for now. Since I am intending to use the stock fuel injection and ignition for a 760 I will need a crank position sensor. Which would involve machining the flywheel and bellhousing for a manual since the even fire Volvo v6 never …
Colored spaghetti
Progress on the Bertone has been glacial lately, but I am removing the old heater box, dash, and pedal box slowly. Labeling each wire or hose connection takes forever, and the resulting mess is a bit intimidating. It is still getting torn apart, but reassembly isn’t too far off.
B280 prep
Work prepping the B280 has been proceeding despite the lack of a real budget. I have quite a list of parts I’ll need to buy when I have more income but for now I’m trying to make forward progress. The old B28F was robbed of most of what I needed from it. I also pulled …
Change of plans!
Due to an alert friend and a stroke of good luck I managed to find a B280 for a decent price this weekend and brought it home in the back of the wagon. It is a B280F from a 1987 760 with 96,000 on it. It’s been sitting around for a few years wrapped up …
Engine out!
It took me a lot longer than expected, but the French motor is out of the Bertone. I almost forgot the speedo cable, which caused a bit of a problem. Lots of cleaning left before the new tenant can move in.
IPD cam
Today I pulled the old rusty T cam out of the head and swapped in an IPD Turbo Cam. Still need to check clearances and probably re-shim, not to mention replace the valve stem seals and hushers. It’s still a paperweight at this time, but now it’s a potentially faster paperweight! I decided to go …