The Washington Volvo Club Washington, DC

Volvamus Excerpts - April 1999

Bits and Pieces | Classifieds | Schedule | DIY Programme | Current Events | Back Issues

BITS AND PIECES:

• Don’t forget: Stay Right, Pass Left, Buckle Up and WATCH THOSE MIRRORS! And adjust the mirrors so that you don’t have to lean way over to make sure of what you are seeing and stop watching the road ahead! Be smooooth! Many drivers don’t understand how a merge lane is supposed to be used; you don’t HAVE to stop. Keep your wits about you. Allow a ‘merger’ in if you can, it doesn’t cost that much time. Stay alert! Obey ALL stop signs, regardless of the hour. Don’t watch just the car in front of you, look as far down the road as you can--- ANTICIPATE—try to see if something is developing way up ahead that you might have to avoid. PLAN AHEAD . You can’t read other driver’s minds and they can’t read yours! Think about it! Do NOT ‘over drive’ your headlights! And make sure your lights are adjusted properly. MAKE SURE THOSE SEATBELTS ARE BUCKLED AND THE AIR BAGS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION!! Have the air bags checked if they are over 10 years old [as advised in the label]. Just what is your life worth? Or the lives of those in your car??
• Yes, I do know that the previous section has gotten a tad extended, but the propositions it embodies are reasonable and prudent. Consider them carefully and follow them. And, remember, regarding drivers of other cars: you can’t rely on them to do the right thing! Many other drivers have a tendency to ‘drive stupid’, so to paraphrase what the old sergeant used to say," Be vigilant out there".
• Don’t forget [or if you’re new to the Club]: We have a good selection of Regalia available to help you show your fealty to the Club and your ebullience for your Volvo. Check with Ray Parsons or Frank Mackison for availability and prices of the sundry items.
• Our E-mail address is still "VOLVODC@aol.com". The ‘mailbox’ is checked periodically and replies are sent ASAP. If you have a classified ad, use "VOLVAMUS@volvoclubdc.com" only. You will notice that the "URL" for the Page is in this issue. If you come across a site that you think would be of interest to everyone, e-mail Paul M. Provencher, da WebMeister, and let him know. He can link us to it so that everyone can visit. And, of course, if you try an existing ‘link’ on da Site and discover that it is ‘gone’, let him know.
• Martin MotorSport, Inc. has MOVED over to Alexandria, VA. Check their display ad in this issue for all the pertinent info. Gary promises that the coffee machine is still working and that everyone is invited to visit the new shop. No invitation is necessary.
• Speaking of visits---it would appear that, unless otherwise noted, you might plan on attending Club meeting at Martens Volvo most months. Exceptions, when taken, will be announced early enough [hopefully] to help you adjust your compass. If you have the web access, check the site. Paul posts the info about a week or so ahead of the printed ‘hard’ copy in your hand that you are trying to read without spilling coffee on it.
• May follows April, which means that the Carlisle Import & Kitcar event is coming up. Quickly. It is May 14 to 16 this year. Coordinate your travel plans with Ray Parsons or any other officer. Convoy to Carlisle!!
• Jerry Sira sent me a note that the April 11 issue of AutoWeek had an interview with our own Colin Powell on his favorite Volvo: the 122
• You will notice that Wren Sigrest has taken over as Rental Tools Chair from John Sullivan. Please contact Wren well in advance if you are gonna need a ‘special tool’ at a DIY so he can see that you get it. If the phone number isn’t handy, the e-mail address is ‘m.wren.sigrest@lmco.com’. He also has all the necessary forms, etc.
• Thanks to Martin Stickley for sending over a copy of a neat British publication called Classic Car Weekly. The March 17 issue cover story was on the ‘saintly’ 1800. Did you know Roger Moore owned an 1800 when he was doing that TV series?
• Interesting story: Chris Buchancan had a massive oil leak. Traced it to a cracked cam cover on his 1993 960 wagon. Goes to Volvo dealer to buy new cover. They inform him that you can’t buy just the cover, you gotta buy a whole new cylinder head! $1250!! Was he just being tested for his consumer awareness by this Volvo dealer, or is it correct that you can’t buy just cam covers? Please let me know—I gotta follow up on this one! It turns out that the cam cover and the head are a machined set and you can’t just replace the cover. It won’t ‘fit’ a head it isn’t machined for. Best advice: don’t let the cam cover get damaged!
• Rumors abound about a Volvo SUV in the works. No, not an Explorer with a Volvo grille, but a new design based on the S70/V70. Had a rendering on page 36 of the May 1999 issue of Car & Driver.
• Volvo is compiling a collection of ‘family photos’ of Volvos with their owners. The photos will be placed in a time capsule to be buried at the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden and opened in the year 2100. So, if you’d like to take part, send your car’s photo [you should be in the photo also] to VOLVO PHOTO ALBUM, POB 205, Stratham, NH, 03885-0205. Borrowed from Will’s latest Column in Rolling. It’s a neat idea, send in a pic!
• Thanks to Dan Johnston of Volvo Rockleigh for his assistance. Again

Classifieds

1. Bad Power Window Switches in your 200 series or 700 series VOLVO? Send us your complete switches and we will rebuild them. $6.00 per switch and $6.50 per package. Contact Dwayne Siever, 618 California Road, Quackertown, PA. 18951 or call 215.538.3886.
2. SEATS for 1986 or later 240 but will work well in early 4-door 240 examples. Beige leather, nice condition. $200 for the pair. Contact Ray Parsons in Herndon, VA at 703.742.8274 or e-mail at RDP10@juno.com
3. ALLOY WHEELS 4 [four]-alloy wheels for a 960 series Volvo. Bought from Fairfax Volvo and never used. NOT new, but in excellent condition. Price new, $250 each, will take $500 for all four. Contact Boris or Tracy at 703.222.4574 or e-mail at Star240D@aol.com.
4. Several Items: B-18 engine, rebuilt, YOU remove the plastic! $750 OBO/ An M40 transmission, from a 122s $100/ THIRD SEAT from a 145 wagon. Like brand new, black; complete, inc. seat belts. Should fit any 145 wagon $250 OBO/ lastly, Roof rack for a 145 series wagon $50./ Lastly: 1966 122 four door. New Blue paint, new tires, brakes, exhaust, shocks and front end [tie rods, etc], Has Kenwood deck with JVC speakers. Perfect body with good original interior. 200K on car, 22K on rebuilt engine. Contact Daryl Johnson in Chesapeake, VA at 804.745.9176
5. 1991 240 Wagon: Dark red with tan vinyl; third seat, 120K, just serviced, new brakes, excellent condition. Complete records. $7500. Contact Scott Miller at 301.320.0009 or e-mail at MILLER.RS@pg.com.
6. 1967 P1800s 130K, silver with black interior. Rebuilt nearly ground up about 4K ago. Engine rebuilt, oversize pistons, Good rubber, ECLIPSE CD/stereo, ALPINE alarm, everything in and out works except the clock. Car is beautiful as is, but needs rocker work to be perfect, and a carb rebuild soon. Always ran great, no major repairs, third owner, history and documents. Asking $5500. Interested? Contact Anthony Lisa at 757.930.4474 [h] or 757.826.1426 x 235 [w]. Or e-mail to PARADIGM98@JUNO.COM.
7. 1994 850 GTAS Sedan. Ruby red exterior with dark grey leather. Fully loaded, every option except turbo. Excellent condition, garaged. 80K. Asking $13,000, under book! New car on way! Contact Jim Vrancik at 301.261.4539 in Davidsonville, MD or e-mail to VRANCIK@EROLS.COM
8. 1978 262C Bertone Silver with black leather. 78K. MOBIL 1, changed regularly, Automatic. I have owned since 1996, Mint condition, MUCH work done: engine, steering, and suspension. Spare V6 with complete four-speed + OD set up and many, many spares. Third owner, California car, all receipts from my work and from previous work. Car cover, garaged. $7500. Contact Jim Whalley in Leesburg, VA at 703.777.3536
9. 122 Brake Booster [front brake hydraulic servo] Complete, new unit, with brackets, never installed. Volvo cost new $550; will sell for $420. Contact Steve Lourie in Catonsville, MD at 410.744.4907 or e-mail at SLOURIE@MINDSPRING.COM
10. WANTED: Tech. Articles! If you have performed some work on your trusty Volvo that you think others might find of interest and benefit from, please take the time to write it up and send it along to Switzer. Inc. part numbers and so on, the tricky parts of the job, etc. One of the unstated objectives of any newsletter is to share experiences. And ALL jobs on your Volvo qualify; large, small, makes absolutely no difference. If you know something that will assist your fellow members, the VOLVAMUS is the ‘vehicle’ of choice to get the word out. It’s a good investment. Look at the masthead and you’ll find Switzer’s address.
11. 1978 242GT, all original, replaced radio, 190K, 4 speed + OD, silver w/ black/orange interior, owned 10 years, needs head work [spark plug threads], typical VOLVO rust, restorable, $500/ 1970 LOTUS Europa S2, for restoration, $1000/ also, have complete third seat for 245 wagon, black, $100. Contact Paul Gillis in Falls Church at 703.573.4342
12. 1978 760Turbo 91K, clean, needs maintenance service. Asking $1500 OBO. Contact Darryl Gordon in Wash. DC at 202.484.0535
13. 1985 760GLE Power everything, cold AC, AM/FM Cassette, automatic, sunroof. Not running, diagnosed as needing a new head gasket. Interior good [black leather], exterior good shape [needs paint, now painted silver] $1000. Contact Barry Smith in Poquoson, VA. at 757.868.7277 or 757.715 3225 [voice mail], or e-mail at btsmith@mail.visi.net
14. Wanted!! 245Turbo Manual transmission only, prefer black exterior with tan interior in very good to excellent condition! Contact Gary Hawthorne in Illinois at 217.744.1726 or e-mail at pilbean@springnet1.com
15. 1972 145E Parts Car. Everything works, but due to some major rust, will no longer pass inspection. Strong B-20B [170K] engine with Weber carb, BW35 transmission [rebuilt 70K], Very good to excellent restored interior [from ‘71]. Good exterior body parts. Copious spares enough to fill the cargo area. A dear old friend that has been rigorously maintained. I wish to sell the car and parts as a package. Reasonable. Contact Walter Crawford in Fairfax, VA at 703.471.1350 [mornings] or e-mail bawacra@cwixmail.com
16. Wanted!! Trailer hitch for 240 series, gold/beige cloth seats [mid/late 1980s] for 240 sedan, BENTLEY repair manual. Contact Larry Matthews in Vienna, VA at 703.281.9735
17. 1966 122S Red tudor sedan, IPD springs and bars, Overdrive, mag wheels. All new chrome, less then 100 miles on .30 over rebuilt B-20. Needs minor body work and paint. $2500. Contact John in New York state at 516.732.7607
18. 1983 245DL wagon Excellent running condition. New master cylinder, 4 calipers and pads, transmission new last year, four brand new tires, Everything works. Asking $2300 OBO Contact Blair Cappuccio in Wash. DC at 202.674.1564 or 202.265.2229 or e-mail 74cappuccio@cua.edu
19. Wanted!! 1989 to 1993 740 or 240. Another 16 Valve would be great! Down to only two Volvos; need a third! Contact Steve Selden in College Park, MD at 301.229.4071 or e-mail ss22@umail.edu
20. 1990 240DL four door, California car, just shipped, Forest Green, 90K, sunroof, power windows and door locks, great condition. Contact John Saaty in Fairfax, VA at 703.707.3806 or e-mail jsaaty@altasoft.com
21. 1980 244DL 140K, runs good, body in good shape for an ’80. $250 Contact Gary in Falls Church, VA at 703.237.0066 [10am to 7pm] or e-mail minis4u@crosslink.net
22. 1985 740 Four door. Good body, just over 160K, owned since 1991, Turbo with four speed + OD, runs well, needs tires, needs some minor fix-ups and service work. AC inoperable [compressor?] $1200 Contact Peter Xydas in Rockville, MD at 301.460.7892
23. Various Volvos and Parts:

 WVC Schedule

Firande 1999 - Sunday April 25, 1999

Power Steering Clinic - Saturday, May 8, 1999 - Martin Motor Sports

May 22: Don Beyer Volvo, Falls Church

The Current Schedule!

Once again the Washington area Volvo dealers have provided great support for this year’s DIY programme and we thank them very much. We currently have the following five sessions on our schedule:

May 8: Martin Motor Sports - Power Steering Clinic

May 22: Don Beyer Volvo, Falls Church

August 7: Don Beyer Volvo, Falls Church

October 9: Herb Gordon Volvo, Silver Spring

November 20: Martens Volvo, Bethesda

This year we’ll be spreading the work and the glory to additional Club members. We’re instituting an OD concept, in which an individual WVC member will be in charge of [only] one specific DIY session and will be responsible for all the details for that DIY. I’ll remain as the overall 1999 DIY programme ‘czar’ and will be available to coach as much or as little as needed. We hope to attract some new energy to this highly successful Club activity. We may even institute an internal Club competition for the best event. Let me know if you’d be interested in serving as OD, in assisting, or if you have a great idea for a DIY. The best way is to drop me a note at the address on the masthead.

We are looking to make a few changes this year, especially to attract new participants. We thought we had been publicizing the fact that we welcome newcomer, but we learned last year that we weren’t coming across as well as we thought. Clearly we want to encourage members to use these sessions to learn how to care for their Volvos and we are happy to instruct the basics, like changing wiper blades, as well as assist in more advanced maintenance procedures. We also wish to attract more of our women members. The ladies who participated in the 1998 sessions added a certain class to the group and, without fail, said that they were happy that they had attended. We are considering having one of our sessions this year set up primarily with our female membership in mind. Let us know if you like such a concept.

Current Events

Gary’s new shop is located at 460A S. Pickett St., between S. Van Dorn and Duke Streets, in Alexandria, VA. Either take S. Van Dorn north from the Beltway, then go right onto S. Pickett St. Or, take Duke Street east from 395, crossing Van Dorn to a right onto S. Pickett. The new shop is just NW of Cameron Station, near Edsall Road.  Click here for a map and door-to-door directions.

As of March 8, 1999, the 75 available spaces had been filled. We have established a list of member’s reservations received after that date and if someone cancels, the next member on the wait list, postmark-wise, will be notified. After April 11 we shall start doing this. If plans change, contact Alan Marsh so that he can make sure that he is able to check the wait list and notify the next member on the wait list. All final reservations will be confirmed by April 21, 1999.

With the exception of invited guests, the FIRANDE is for WVC members [and one guest] in good standing. This year the Club has officially invited several special guests. If any of these invited are unable to attend, then their space will be filled from the wait list. We are hoping to hear from these guests by April 10.

Do bring your current WVC membership card. It will allow you free access into the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum [normally $7.50 per person] and it might be checked at the Inn.

Several Volvo Dealers have been invited to prepare displays for the grounds of the Maritime Museum. So be prepared to see some of our favorite cars lounging about among the boats. Member’s cars might also be snuggled into the area as well for your viewing pleasure.

Executive Chef Mark Salter has worked for Sir Bernard Ashley for ten years and came to The Inn at Perry Cabin in 1993. He oversees the kitchens at the other Ashley Houses at Llangoed Hall and Keswick Hall as well. He is a native of southwest England, has studied with chefs in Switzerland, Germany, France, and Scotland. He also served on the Queen Elizabeth 2, where he perfected one of his signature dishes, the honey and tarragon glazed shank of lamb. He and his popular lamb shank dish appear on the cover of the February 1999 issue of Southern Delaware Magazine, which features a six-page article on The Inn at Perry Cabin.

For more event information read our Firande page here.

Click here for map & door-to-door directions from Yahoo

From the Capital Beltway [495], take Route 50 east toward Annapolis, crossing the Bay Bridge. Stay to the right and prepare to bear right at the 301/50 split. Head for ‘Ocean City’.

About 30 miles down route 50, you’ll see the ‘EASTON AIRPORT’ on the right. There will be a FORD dealer on the left and a traffic light. Note the signs for St. Michael’s and Tilghman Island ahead.

Bear right onto Route 322, Easton Parkway, and make a right at the third light onto Route 33. You will have passed a shopping center on your left with a ‘LOWES’ and a Macdonald’s.

Route 33 carries you right into St. Michael’s. It’s a distance of about 15 miles or so. Stay on Route 33 to far side of St. Michael’s and look for the KNAPPS NARROWS Drawbridge on the right. There will be houses and so on on the left side of the road. The entrance to The Inn at Perry Cabin is just ahead on the right, directly across from ‘Talbot Automotive’. The white buildings set back from the road.

There are only 5 lights from the Beltway to St. Michael’s. Mind your speeds! Troopers patrol Route 50, especially when Ocean City is active. So, keep your wits about you! 80 minutes, Beltway to The Inn, easy.

MOVED!!!

DON’T FORGET THAT SWITZER HAS MOVED! THE OLD ADDRESS ON YORKTOWN ROAD ISN’T GOOD ANYMORE! PLEASE USE THE NEW ADDRESS SHOWN ON PAGE 2. PLEASE!!

Right up front I have to admit I did something really stupid. I had gotten so involved in the chaos of relocating to Tilghman that I never checked the oil in the 745T for at least 2.5 months and many miles. Imagine my surprise when I did and found the sump DRY! None, nada bit of oil. I added about three quarts and got it up to the top of the stick.

I have been using AMSOIL. There were no indications of any kind from the engine of any possible distress. Ran like a top, 25+ MPG, smooth highway cruising at 65-70, all the right stuff.

Wednesday, March 24, after the last meeting, I took the car to Gary Martin to check it out and make sure it was okeh. The car has a magnetic drain plug. When the plug was removed to drain the oil a small machined, metal device was found clinging to the plug.

I had to come back to Tilghman, but Gary kept the car while he tried to determine what this piece of metal was. After much research, the piece was identified as a ‘locator pin’, used in the assembly process to keep parts aligned until they could be bolted together. It is not known how long the pin had been in the pan. My history of the car doesn’t show an engine rebuild during it’s life.

It was noted that the sump [oil pan] had no sludge and that the bottom of the engine was in superb condition. A new, heavy-duty oil pump was installed on the premise that the original oil pump had been through enough. Based on the condition of the engine, including a compression test, the diagnosis was that the seals in the turbo unit were no longer doing their job and oil was being sent, via the intake system, directly out the exhaust pipe. This is not a good thing, even in the best of times.

So, on April 10, the 745T was back at Martin MotorSport, where Steve Seekins installed a nice, shiny new turbo. He also installed a K&N flat filter, replacing the normal Volvo air filter element. On the previous trip, new ball joints and a top brace had been installed. All in all, a very busy time and fairly dear, but much cheaper then a new car.

I want to thank Gary Martin, Steve Seekins, Pat McNeil and Angel of Martin MotorSport for their help and for not making fun of me for my stupidity. They had every right to razz me! I now check the oil level in total stranger’s cars, just in case.

[I had brought the Toad here to Tilghman and drove it for the week while waiting to take the 745T back to Gary for the new turbo. The Toad is already famous here and greatly admired. People think it’s a small 1946 Ford hot rod. It got about 500 miles added to the odometer during that week and performed flawlessly. It even got 23 MPG, despite the twin 40DCOE carbs, etc. And I discovered that it loves to cruise at 65+. Gotta get an overdrive!]

Back to the 745T. I think using AMSOIL saved the engine from major harm during this episode. I am sure that if I’d been using my normal oil I would have had a truly rude surprise one day while buzzing along Route 50 and that a 302 V8 might have come up for serious consideration!

Thanks again to Gary and his happy band of mechanical mavens. Their hospitality, attention to detail and professionalism proved well worth the trip! If and when you need assistance, give Gary a call!

Power Steering Maintenance Clinic
At
Martin Motorsports
Saturday, 8 May 1999

Martin Motorsports is sponsoring power steering clinic for the members of the Washington Volvo Club from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, 8 May 1999. Martin Motorsports is located in Alexandria, Virginia at 460A South Pickett Street. Martin Motorsports and can be reached at (703) 823 9735.

Click here for a map and door-to-door directions

The purpose of this clinic, open to all WVC members, is to provide an opportunity for owners of all Volvo models to obtain often neglected power steering rack maintenance. In addition to identifying steering rack related problems, the Martin Motorsports staff will be available to perform power steering rack fluid flushes. The discounted cost of the flush, the single most important thing that you can do to extend the life of your rack, will be $75 to cover the cost of labor and materials.

The clinic will be conducted in the style of the popular Washington Volvo Club D.I.Y. (Do-It-Yourself) sessions allowing your full participation, but no tools will be required.

Participation is on a strict preregistration basis through WVC only; please do not contact Martin Motorsports for this purpose. You may preregister by completing the form below and mailing it, along with a nonrefundable fee of $5.00 to the address provided below. Your check should be made payable to the Washington Volvo Club.

Power Steering Maintenance Clinic

Martin Motorsports Preregistration Form

Saturday, 8 May 1999, 9:00 AM to 2PM

Name:__________________________Hm phone____________Wk phone_____________

Address:_______________________City:_________________State:_____Zip:_________

Volvo Year:____________Model:_______________________________________________

Power Steering Rack Fluid Flush Yes______No______

Please mail this form and check to Ray Parsons, 1248 Bond Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170, prior to Saturday, 8 May 1999.

Past Volvamus Excerpts

March 1999 | February 1999 | January 1999 |  November 1998 Volvamus | October 1998 Volvamus | September 1998 Volvamus

This page updated 03/17/07 02:34:31 PM

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