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Hi all:

Long time lurker here.

I've just purchased a 1958 Volvo PV444. A previous owner put in the engine, steering, and transmission from a 1992 Camaro RS.

He did not finish the project, so I am trying to pick up where he left off.

To get running it needs fuel injectors and a battery and then ???

I feel like this is a good place to document it because it's a bit odd.



Thanks,
widdershins

Welcome widdershins

Your sweetie Volvo is not ugly.. I've seen ugly Volvos, and she's not ugly.. a bit of work and she'll be sweet yet again..

Odd is good- you're in the right place

--ccrunner

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Dean

1972 Honda N600 Restomod "ccrunner's N600 VFR800 repower"

1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=16309

1959 Berkeley SE492 Restomod...
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=19397

"ccrunner's 1960 MGA coupe Restomod" found on MGExp.com

Welcome! That is a very popular drivetrain for good reason. I'm guessing a 3.1 or 3.4l with iron heads. Entirely adequate. I look forward to watching your build.

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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Welcome Widdershins!

And we'll need a look under her bonnet

er, well, you know what I mean.

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Planning a Duratec powered, Miata suspended 442

Local gal has one with a 231" Buick V6.
It's reached the point of being an occasional show car.
She mostly just drives it, stock engine and plenty of power.
Looks nearly stock from the outside except for the mag wheels.

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If I must be a one-man PC free zone, so be it!

Thanks everyone!

ccrunner: Quite a bit of work, likely

Mv8: it's a 3.1 with iron heads as far as I can tell.

Here is the the underbonnet as I received it:



The plenum is not attached other than the one, too long bolt. The fuel rail was also not hooked up. There were fuel injectors in the parts box that was shipped inside.



The injector harness was missing a few bits as well... I think it was rats.

I repaired it:



I'm trying to get some progress in as I just got it Sunday and I have the week off.

Thanks,
widdershins

Welcome widdershins! I have always loved the lines of the early Volvos. Always reminded me of a 40 Ford!



I am also a big fan of the powertrain that had been installed.

Mor pics please! And do keep us posted.

Thom

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Thom

Greetings from another "Hump Back" Volvo fan! My D/D during High School back in the 60s was a white '59 Volvo 544. I frequently fantasized about dropping in a Chevy 327", but alas, it was my Father's car, and he was having none of that "Hot Rod" nonsense!

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Mike - Read my story at http://twinlakesseven.blogspot.com/

The engine bay's pretty narrow in those. Fortunately the 3.1 is 60 degree. Love those cars!

SBC will fit without much butchery. I've seen it done. Granted, the 60* V-6 would be easier, but a Swedish "Gasser" would be WAY up there on the "COOL" scale!

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Mike - Read my story at http://twinlakesseven.blogspot.com/

It looks like the only cutting was a slight cutout in the rails for the exhaust manifolds and a little in the front body to fit the radiator. I am considering a 1 piece fiberglass front to fix this issue and and the fact that there are no longer hood hinges up front.

No room for a battery or a cooling resevior. AC condenser is in front of the radiator.

Also there were rats, apparently.

Here are some pics before / after rat cleanup.

Why is there no rust in the floor boards?

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Honey anyone?

Got it shipped to Washington from Arizona.


It won't last, lol. The thing leaks everywhere and it's raining right now... I need to trace the front windshield before I can get them cut.

Anyway, there is a little rust and damage to to some of the body, but it's overall pretty good.

Does it have power steering or did the previous owner just loop the lines? I don't see a dip stick for the trans so I'm guessing T5 5 speed trans.
I have a tracker build with a similar engine and wiring. I'd use the camaro throttle cable too and the aldl connector in an accessible location. You can clean the injectors in a ultrasonic jewelry cleaner and pulse them with a 9 volt battery to ensure they are not stuck. I'm guessing that is why he took them out. Lube the o rings with Vaseline to prevent tearing at the fuel lines and injectors. Did he get as far as adding a fuel pump?
Looks like you still have the air pump too. If you don't need the pump, ac, and ps, you can install a standard rotation timing cover and pump then swap the water pump pulley for a grooved type and use a short belt and have a lot more space up front to work. Take a look at my spitfire build for minimal accessory options.

Looks like he soldered a copper elbow on the rad upper connection. The standard rubber radiator mounts have a pin than snaps into the metal backing so you'd need to drill the straps for it if they are falling out. Looks like he cut the pin off the top of the rubbers.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Gah. I had a whole reply written out and I refreshed on accident.

Thanks for all the helpful info, MV8!

Short version:

* It's a t5 transmission.
* He included new (reman) injectors.
* Steering has been converted to the power rack and pinion from the Camaro.
* Fuel system is from Camaro. It's plumbed, but only partially wired.
* Fuel pump doesn't prime. It looks like it's wired to the relay, but not the ground. Need to figure that out.