Getting a little deeper into the subject...
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Volvo PV544 Planned Repairs & Upgrades.
Topic: Part Deux
In my last entry I gave a little of the history of the Volvo PV series of cars, and told you a little about my 1964 PV544. This time, we'll go a little deeper, looking at more of the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY.

There are a few minor problems with the transmission installation - not the trans itself, it works fine.

First, the speedometer cable that fits this transmission doesn't have the right connector to attach it securely to the speedometer. Every once in a while the speedo will quit, and I'll have to reach under the dash to poke the cable back in. The next time I have the gauge cluster out, I'll make an adapter so that will stop happening.

The other problem with the trans is that the builder installed a short-handled B&M shifter kit. This put the shifter in it's correct place on the floor, but in order to put the trans into Park or Reverse, I have to unbuckle my seatbelt so I can reach far enough to get ahold of the shifter handle!

I've been looking at B&M shifters on eBay, but so far I haven't found anything that will fit the trans and reach back far enough for me to work it safely.

The INTERIOR:

The interior was completely redone in 1991. THe headliner, door panels, and seat sides are good-quality black vinyl, with dark red cloth inserts in the door panels and seat.

Over the 13 years since the upholstery job was done, it's held up remarkably well. There is one small spot on the bottom of the driver's seat that is starting to crack (you can't really even see it yet) and the stitching is coming loose in a couple of places. That little problem will be simple to rectify.

The door panels are warping, and I think a cheap fiberboard was used for the foundation. Since the upholstery is still fine, I need to pull all the side panels and make new boards for them. Again, not a major undertaking.

A Little Of The Interior

The trunk was also (partly) carpeted in 1991, and the foundation for the bottom where it covers the fuel tank is made from an old cardboard box. I'm looking for matching carpet and I'll re-make the bottom piece and make up the missing side pieces to completely carpet the trunk.

There are some 'troughs' at the very rear of the trunk compartment that neatly hold my smaller toolbax. When I get around to re-doing the carpet job, I'll extend the trunk floor to cover these areas so I'll have a nice hidden place to keep those tools and supplies neccessary to driving an old car.

WHEELS & TIRES

The tires on the car now are nearly-new Michelin radials in a more-or-less stock size. I haven't actually memorized the size yet, but they fit the stock wheels well and look good. Since Michelin is one of the better brands I'll be keeping them on the car until I decide which aftermarket wheels I want.

The wheels are original to the car; 15x7 inch steel wheels with stock Volvo stainless steel hubcaps. The wheels have been painted fairly recently, but I need to pull them off and repaint them before long. The hubcaps were in fair shape, neeeding only a few dings tapped out and the center logo repainted.

I plan to go to nicer wheels after the paint and bodywork are complete. I've been looking at "Torq Thrust II's" since they have a nice vintage look. The only problem installing non-stock wheels is that they need 3-1/8" backspacing, whereas most American cars use 3-3/8" backspacing. The deeper American backspacing would cause the front wheels to rub on the upper A-arms in tight turns.

Of course, there are new wheel designs available nearly every day, so who knows what I'll decide on in the end?

BRAKES:

Probably the worst thing on the car right now. About a week after I got the car the brake master cylinder blew out, leaving me across town with nothing but a parking brake to get home on.

The repair kit was cheap, so I honed out the bore and put all new guts into it. Apparently water had gotten into the reservoir and turned the brake fluid into a gloppy gray mud, which also caused the cyliner bore to be eaten away over time.

Luckily, the damage stopped at the master cylinder, so the brake lines and wheel cylinders weren't damaged. It seems to work fine now - at least I won't worry about it failing any time soon!

Lately I've noticed a little squeal when applying the brakes, so I'm sure I need to overhaul the front brakes, at least. I priced brake linings, and they are only $21 for both the front wheels, so that job is scheduled in the next week or two.

Until then, the car won't be driven much.

MORE TO COME...