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LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:01 pm
by Dave_G
The 24 Hours of LeMons thread was getting really long, and almost all of the recent posts are talking only about this project car, so I'm starting up a new thread here. I'm thinking that talk about all the details involved in building this car deserves a thread separate from talk about the event.

Anyway, I did find us not one, but a whole bunch of Volvo 240 LSDs. Packard's in New Haven says they have about a half dozen of them, of which two are known to be good. If they happened to be sitting inside the shop, they said they would just give me one. The bad news is that none of them are inside the shop -- they're all attached to cars out in the yard. And to remove one will mean sending someone out with a forklift to move a bunch of cars out of the way, and then cutting out the axle. They said we could have the whole axle, including wheels, tires, brakes, LSD, etc., for $150.

Considering that all we need are the internals, I'm tempted to wait until another one shows up. They know now that I'm looking for one, and Packard's gets a ton of Volvos through their shop. On the other hand, Russ needs his garage back, so he's probably not really up for waiting a real long time.

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:13 pm
by 343Saturn
While it would be great to get the car back on its wheels with a working diff - dont worry about the garage. I would rather we get a good deal on the diff than to hurry things along and have it cost us extra. I can just keep parking under the Lemon :lol:

I sent out requests to a couple of salvage yards to see what they have that could be shipped to us. So far, I havent heard much.

There was a 240 on Ebay last night that is being parted out. That might be another option - anyone want to try that approach?

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:56 pm
by jcollins914
Has anyone called the Swedish Pit in Colchester (near St. Michaels College)? The proprieters (the Carlson's) have been racing Volvos (very successfully) in the SCCA for decades, and they are called "the Volvo Specialists". They've seen more 240's than any of us, and they probably have some in their little parts-car area at the shop. If you catch either Jim or Scott when they're not busy, they'll probably have a fair amount of Volvo wisdom to share as well; perhaps some "will-fails" or other trinkets that could save the day, maybe some spares to bring just in case & return if unused? Great guys.

Their number will be in the phone book, and you'll like them.

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:29 am
by Rabbit Farmer
One of the guys that works at the SP showed up to the Stowe autocross with the turbo Volvo.

Let's see some pictures of this beast. Make sure you have an in-car camera mount for the day of days.

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:19 pm
by Autofile242
I'm the "other guy" who works at the Swedish Pit. My name is Charlie. I did not know that this project was going on! If there is any thing I can do to help let me know. Between the SP and Packerd there should be plenty of parts to make a locost sh*t box racer.

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:39 pm
by Rabbit Farmer
Charlie... you made it to the forums! Still planning on doing hillclimbs this year?

Steve

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:58 pm
by 343Saturn
Autofile242 wrote:I'm the "other guy" who works at the Swedish Pit. My name is Charlie. I did not know that this project was going on! If there is any thing I can do to help let me know. Between the SP and Packerd there should be plenty of parts to make a locost sh*t box racer.
Hi Charlie! Thanks for the offer - if you happen to know where we can get a replacement LSD for the 240 that would be a huge help. We are having trouble finding one that is the right price (read cheap!) and the internals in ours are completely trashed.

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:05 pm
by jcollins914
Oh poop.

I meant to mention Charlie, who occasionally pilots a Volvo 240 w/ a turbo motor swap at the SCCV autocrosses, who also careers at the Swedish Pit. Get to know Charlie. Charlie is kickass.

Jeff

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:26 pm
by Autofile242
LSDs come at a premium they where rare, only a factory option. If you can find a few let me know :D . 93-94 940s came with a locker diff that can be modded to work in a 240. Check out www.Turbobricks.com There are a few articles in that website on the swap. And Yes I hope to make it to all the hillclimbs this year! New and inproved, with a LSD, real tires and $$$ permiting a T5 trans.

Re: LeMons Volvo project

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:08 pm
by gtivr4
Check out this LeMons project for sale!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ct ... 66328.html

I like what they did with the bodywork!