Rust around the rear fenders, taillights, as well as the wheel-side corners of the rear doors. Have not had the chance to fix yet.
The son of the guy I bought it from hit a rock the size of a small basketball. This ripped off the exhaust pipe sections and both mufflers. It also punched a hole in the gas tank, and though it was repaired before I bought the car, it still leaks. Have temporarily replaced mufflers with one from a 1974 Yamaha motorcycle.
Had to clean both carburetors and replace the cracked intake manifold. Replaced all the gaskets in the process.
Float chamber plate on the rear carburetor leaks around the seal.
Had head redone, which required the replacing of two exhaust valves. Replaced head gasket in process.
Brake booster works only half the time.
Several electrical problems. Added wires to fuse box to complete it to wiring diagram standards and now the interior light, backup lights, rear defroster, and cigarette lighter work.
Mechanical fuel pump quit before I bought the car. Previous owner replaced it with an electric model from a Subaru.
Distributer quit sending spark to engine. Discovered that the number 2 cylinder spark plug wire shocks me through the rubber. I have no idea why. Have not fixed yet.
Support straps under the driver's side seat was broken when I bought it. Both front seats sag like this, so I sit really low.
Left rear tire kept going flat on a slow leak. Need to clean bead on all rims to fix and prevent this. Put spare on for now.
Needed battery. Bought one from store.
Cannot get the left rear tail light to light up for the life of me.
Right front door is hard to open depending on what kind of slope the car is parked on.
I bought this car for 200 dollars. I am only 16 so I can't afford much in the way of repairs. I am still in the process of repairing it, and have not yet driven it on the open road. I have very high hopes for this car, and I get lots of attention for it just sitting in my yard. It looks very cool and I love the prospect of driving it. Old Volvos are great cars for kids because they're slow, simple, cheap to buy, but expensive to fix. Therefore it encourages them to get a job. I have also heard that the engines in these run forever. I certainly hope so.
Fixing those seat straps will change your life.
Go to a fabric store -- or send your girlfriend -- and buy some 4 inch nylon strapping. (Like you find on a backpack). You can spend twice as much and buy seatbelt strap nylon, but you really don't need it for your seat.
For both seats you will need about 20 feet. For each seat, you will need 2 straps about 17 3/4 inches long, so cut 4 pieces 20 inches long, fold over the ends and stitch a fold at each end -- with the metal clip inside the fold.
The front straps go from one end to the other and back again. You will need two pieces about 53 inches. Fold and stitch one end as above, then fit the strap in place in your car, from one end to the other and back. Pull it as tight as you can, and mark your end... Go inside and stitch the ends with the metal clip in place.
Be nice to your girlfriend and good luck.
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