ugly duck
02-07-2014, 10:37 AM
Vehicle Details
Year : 1988
Make and Model : Volvo 780 Coupe
Exterior Color : blue
Interior Color : blue
Auto or Manual? : auto
Odometer Reading : many (200,000+ miles)
Location of Vehicle : SW Calgary
Description : See Below
Extras : ECU/ICU, some bits & pieces
Asking Price : $2500, pretty firm on this.
Contact Information
E-Mail : [email protected]
Phone : 403 998 8441
Pictures :
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/IMG_20130309_143111_zps8d58e0bf.jpg
Hey folks.
Longtime Beyond lurker, rare poster, trying to sell my 780. I got this car from a friend in 2007, who got it from another friend in Oregon. I do not know the car's history beyond that, sadly, but I can say with some certainty that it is absolutely rust free, aside from minor (and I mean MINOR) surface rust in the odd paint chip. The real bad place for these cars is below the back windows, and this car had none when I tore apart the interior. Every nut and bolt I have undone has come apart easily, with plenty of cad plating still present, even in the suspension. I have NEVER driven this car in the winter - I don't believe it ever has been.
The car is a B280 V6/automatic model, the only choice in North America until 1989 when the Turbo/automatic came out. 1988 saw the first of the IRS, prior to this it had the live axle from the regular 740/760. The 780 is a wierd mix of 740 and 760, with Italian coachwork and interior. Most everywhere, the interchange would be with a 740, aside from powertrain.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/IMG_20130309_143327_zps43ed5506.jpg
The PRV-6 engine is a bit of a story: Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo all used versions of this, as well as Citroen and Delorean. The original versions used in the Volvo, the B27 and B28, were notorious for wearing out the camshafts and followers. Strangely, NOBODY complains about this failure from other manufacturers, even though it was the identical engine. There are many theories around this, but in 1988 the engine was redesigned and in the Volvo is called the B280. The redesign included EFI, offset crankpins for even firing, and most significantly an improved oiling scheme for the camshafts. This change was very successful.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5279.jpg
In 2010 I tore apart the engine because it was leaking internally and externally, and was shocked to see the condition inside. After 195,000+ miles, it was... dirty. That's it. The cylinders, rings, and bearings showed next to no wear. The pistons had almost NO scratches on the crown or the skirt. The only "bad" thing I found were the rod bearings, which I replace with another set of used bearings in perfect condition. The top ring gap was only a couple of thousandths of an inch greater than brand new specification - the other rings were still within new spec.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5293.jpg
While apart, I made 1 simple modification to the engine, which was to use Eagle Premier cylinder heads. The Premier came with a 3 litre version of this engine, but came with the European heads and better exhaust manifolds. It also came with cruddy hydraulic cams, which are easily swapped for the Volvo mechanical units. I ported the Premier heads and hand-lapped the valves, and assembled the engine with new timing chains / tensioners / rails, all new gaskets and seals, and new knock sensors.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5091.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5344.jpg
(Bench-racer mode: The B280F as was delivered in this car was rated at 146 hp. The B280E in the European market made 170, without cats. It had slightly higher compression ratio and a tiny bit wilder cams than the B280F, plus different mapping. My engine has the B280F cams and compression, but ported B280E heads and a much more free-flowing exhaust. I haven't even applied any +5 hp stickers yet!)
I also built some tube headers and a 3" stainless exhaust for the car, which I found a bit loud. I made many changes to the system to try and quiet it up, finally removing the headers and installing the Eagle Premier exhaust manifolds. It's not as bad as it was but my next move would be to redo the exhaust in 2.25 or 2.5" piping and re-install the headers, were I keeping the car anyway. The headers are not included in the sale, the manifolds shown in the pictures are on the car.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5436.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5437.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5401.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5115.jpg
Suspension modifications are minor: The leaking Nivomat self-leveling rear suspension was given the heave-ho, and Toyota Previa rear springs were fitted along with modified Bilstein HD shocks. More recently I replaced the front struts with Bilstein TC struts (the HD struts for the 700 series cars are BRUTAL) and brand new strut bearings, and cut the springs 1" for just a touch of rake. The front end has balljoints & tie-rod ends that were replaced in '07, and polyurethane bushed lower control arms & sway bar end links. The rear is totally stock in that regard.
The top half of the car had the clear resprayed at one point, and most of it peeled off by the time I got it. The paint on the roof was particularly bad, having cracked enough to let water through and begin a little surface rust. I took the roof down to the metal, treated the rust, and built it back up with a good DTM 2K primer & base/clear urethane paint that mostly matches. I painted the trunk and C pillars at the same time. I did this all in my garage and I'm no painter so it didn't turn out perfectly, but at least it's protected and looks a thousand times better than it did. I never re-installed the badges as I was going to wet-sand and buff the paint, but never got around to it. They come with the car, and I'll throw in the rest of the paint too.
The interior is sun-aged as you'd expect with the paint looking the way it did, but it's all there and isn't too bad. The driver's seat had a split seam in one of the black squares, I had that repaired by an upholstery shop. The rear seat was fairly sun damaged (and a little water damaged) and was repaired by an upholstery shop too. It's a little fragile though, and I noticed a small split on it recently. The sunroof leaked when I got it - this and the blocked drains was the cause of the water damage on the back seat - I cleared the drains and I smeared some silicone between the glass and outer seal, and that took care of most of it. Every once in a while after a car wash or a heavy rain, it'll drip a drop or two on you when you go around a corner. Unless you're going around a corner, it's fine.
Inside it's all '80s Volvo: To get the temp and gas gauges working you sometimes have to flick the gauges, old-school war movie style. The heated seats don't work and some of the seat switches are a bit flakey. The dash is cracked in a few spots and the driver's door card looks kind of messed up. The wood has seen better days, but it would be easy to redo it if you were inclined. The steering wheel is from a different Volvo - the airbags weren't working when I got the car so I removed them. I put a stock stereo/EQ back in it, along with the factory amps, but the speakers are newer Infinity coaxials in the front and ancient MBQuart in the rear. I jammed the bigger rear amp under the dash and mounted the smaller front amp in the rear, to get rid of the whole '80s 6x9 headbanging sound. It didn't completely work. The front A-pillars have evidence of the tweeters I once had up there... sorry.
I refinished the wheels, which are wrong for a V6 car. They're the 15x7 multi-x wheels from a Turbo model, with 205-55 General tires that say all-season but really are summer tires. The tires are in good shape, I just replaced the rears a couple years ago. The wheels could use another polish.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/IMG_20130309_143341_zps67bed9bb.jpg
The windshield has a star in it, a trophy I got on it's first road trip with me. I had it repaired at a glass shop and although it's still visible, it hasn't grown at all since 2008. All the other glass is good.
A couple years ago I pieced together an air conditioning system. Because the Eagle Premier heads have different AC compressor mounting holes, I had to fab up a bracket/pulley/tensioner system. I cleaned out all the lines and exchangers and replaced the accumulator, expansion valve/screen, and switches as per the recommendation of the Dura-Cool reps at My Automotive Shop, and then using a decent used compressor I loaded it with oil and had the boys vacuum, leak-check, and charge the system with Dura-Cool refridgerant. It blows nice and cold now.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5563.jpg
I have many parts that are not included in the sale but we can negotiate for them if you choose. There are the headers, a spare set of Eagle heads, a spare set of Volvo cams & rockers, a set of Eagle cylinders/pistons/rods (no bearings... wonder where those went?). I also have a bellhousing & flywheel from an old B27 Volvo, plus various clutch bits like the slave cylinder, and a set of pedals from a manual-transmission 740. I have an M47 5 speed (not the M46 4 speeed plus overdrive) that I was thinking of rebuilding and installing. I have a 3.31:1 diff with Volvo locker that would work well with the 5 speed (the automatic has a 3.73:1, and it's open). I have a set of control arms and a sway bar for the rear too, but body modifications would need to be made since the sway came from a 960 and they were slightly different from a 780 in body shape.
What more can I say? This is a pretty unique car that would be fun to modify, or drive around for another 200,000 miles. Your choice.
More honesty and information here: http://www.calgaryvolvoclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2906 Many pictures of the engine build here: http://www.calgaryvolvoclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2317
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1988-volvo-780-bertone-coupe/565145764
Year : 1988
Make and Model : Volvo 780 Coupe
Exterior Color : blue
Interior Color : blue
Auto or Manual? : auto
Odometer Reading : many (200,000+ miles)
Location of Vehicle : SW Calgary
Description : See Below
Extras : ECU/ICU, some bits & pieces
Asking Price : $2500, pretty firm on this.
Contact Information
E-Mail : [email protected]
Phone : 403 998 8441
Pictures :
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/IMG_20130309_143111_zps8d58e0bf.jpg
Hey folks.
Longtime Beyond lurker, rare poster, trying to sell my 780. I got this car from a friend in 2007, who got it from another friend in Oregon. I do not know the car's history beyond that, sadly, but I can say with some certainty that it is absolutely rust free, aside from minor (and I mean MINOR) surface rust in the odd paint chip. The real bad place for these cars is below the back windows, and this car had none when I tore apart the interior. Every nut and bolt I have undone has come apart easily, with plenty of cad plating still present, even in the suspension. I have NEVER driven this car in the winter - I don't believe it ever has been.
The car is a B280 V6/automatic model, the only choice in North America until 1989 when the Turbo/automatic came out. 1988 saw the first of the IRS, prior to this it had the live axle from the regular 740/760. The 780 is a wierd mix of 740 and 760, with Italian coachwork and interior. Most everywhere, the interchange would be with a 740, aside from powertrain.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/IMG_20130309_143327_zps43ed5506.jpg
The PRV-6 engine is a bit of a story: Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo all used versions of this, as well as Citroen and Delorean. The original versions used in the Volvo, the B27 and B28, were notorious for wearing out the camshafts and followers. Strangely, NOBODY complains about this failure from other manufacturers, even though it was the identical engine. There are many theories around this, but in 1988 the engine was redesigned and in the Volvo is called the B280. The redesign included EFI, offset crankpins for even firing, and most significantly an improved oiling scheme for the camshafts. This change was very successful.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5279.jpg
In 2010 I tore apart the engine because it was leaking internally and externally, and was shocked to see the condition inside. After 195,000+ miles, it was... dirty. That's it. The cylinders, rings, and bearings showed next to no wear. The pistons had almost NO scratches on the crown or the skirt. The only "bad" thing I found were the rod bearings, which I replace with another set of used bearings in perfect condition. The top ring gap was only a couple of thousandths of an inch greater than brand new specification - the other rings were still within new spec.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5293.jpg
While apart, I made 1 simple modification to the engine, which was to use Eagle Premier cylinder heads. The Premier came with a 3 litre version of this engine, but came with the European heads and better exhaust manifolds. It also came with cruddy hydraulic cams, which are easily swapped for the Volvo mechanical units. I ported the Premier heads and hand-lapped the valves, and assembled the engine with new timing chains / tensioners / rails, all new gaskets and seals, and new knock sensors.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5091.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5344.jpg
(Bench-racer mode: The B280F as was delivered in this car was rated at 146 hp. The B280E in the European market made 170, without cats. It had slightly higher compression ratio and a tiny bit wilder cams than the B280F, plus different mapping. My engine has the B280F cams and compression, but ported B280E heads and a much more free-flowing exhaust. I haven't even applied any +5 hp stickers yet!)
I also built some tube headers and a 3" stainless exhaust for the car, which I found a bit loud. I made many changes to the system to try and quiet it up, finally removing the headers and installing the Eagle Premier exhaust manifolds. It's not as bad as it was but my next move would be to redo the exhaust in 2.25 or 2.5" piping and re-install the headers, were I keeping the car anyway. The headers are not included in the sale, the manifolds shown in the pictures are on the car.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5436.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5437.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5401.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5115.jpg
Suspension modifications are minor: The leaking Nivomat self-leveling rear suspension was given the heave-ho, and Toyota Previa rear springs were fitted along with modified Bilstein HD shocks. More recently I replaced the front struts with Bilstein TC struts (the HD struts for the 700 series cars are BRUTAL) and brand new strut bearings, and cut the springs 1" for just a touch of rake. The front end has balljoints & tie-rod ends that were replaced in '07, and polyurethane bushed lower control arms & sway bar end links. The rear is totally stock in that regard.
The top half of the car had the clear resprayed at one point, and most of it peeled off by the time I got it. The paint on the roof was particularly bad, having cracked enough to let water through and begin a little surface rust. I took the roof down to the metal, treated the rust, and built it back up with a good DTM 2K primer & base/clear urethane paint that mostly matches. I painted the trunk and C pillars at the same time. I did this all in my garage and I'm no painter so it didn't turn out perfectly, but at least it's protected and looks a thousand times better than it did. I never re-installed the badges as I was going to wet-sand and buff the paint, but never got around to it. They come with the car, and I'll throw in the rest of the paint too.
The interior is sun-aged as you'd expect with the paint looking the way it did, but it's all there and isn't too bad. The driver's seat had a split seam in one of the black squares, I had that repaired by an upholstery shop. The rear seat was fairly sun damaged (and a little water damaged) and was repaired by an upholstery shop too. It's a little fragile though, and I noticed a small split on it recently. The sunroof leaked when I got it - this and the blocked drains was the cause of the water damage on the back seat - I cleared the drains and I smeared some silicone between the glass and outer seal, and that took care of most of it. Every once in a while after a car wash or a heavy rain, it'll drip a drop or two on you when you go around a corner. Unless you're going around a corner, it's fine.
Inside it's all '80s Volvo: To get the temp and gas gauges working you sometimes have to flick the gauges, old-school war movie style. The heated seats don't work and some of the seat switches are a bit flakey. The dash is cracked in a few spots and the driver's door card looks kind of messed up. The wood has seen better days, but it would be easy to redo it if you were inclined. The steering wheel is from a different Volvo - the airbags weren't working when I got the car so I removed them. I put a stock stereo/EQ back in it, along with the factory amps, but the speakers are newer Infinity coaxials in the front and ancient MBQuart in the rear. I jammed the bigger rear amp under the dash and mounted the smaller front amp in the rear, to get rid of the whole '80s 6x9 headbanging sound. It didn't completely work. The front A-pillars have evidence of the tweeters I once had up there... sorry.
I refinished the wheels, which are wrong for a V6 car. They're the 15x7 multi-x wheels from a Turbo model, with 205-55 General tires that say all-season but really are summer tires. The tires are in good shape, I just replaced the rears a couple years ago. The wheels could use another polish.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/IMG_20130309_143341_zps67bed9bb.jpg
The windshield has a star in it, a trophy I got on it's first road trip with me. I had it repaired at a glass shop and although it's still visible, it hasn't grown at all since 2008. All the other glass is good.
A couple years ago I pieced together an air conditioning system. Because the Eagle Premier heads have different AC compressor mounting holes, I had to fab up a bracket/pulley/tensioner system. I cleaned out all the lines and exchangers and replaced the accumulator, expansion valve/screen, and switches as per the recommendation of the Dura-Cool reps at My Automotive Shop, and then using a decent used compressor I loaded it with oil and had the boys vacuum, leak-check, and charge the system with Dura-Cool refridgerant. It blows nice and cold now.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mattdupuis/780%20update%20winter%202010/100_5563.jpg
I have many parts that are not included in the sale but we can negotiate for them if you choose. There are the headers, a spare set of Eagle heads, a spare set of Volvo cams & rockers, a set of Eagle cylinders/pistons/rods (no bearings... wonder where those went?). I also have a bellhousing & flywheel from an old B27 Volvo, plus various clutch bits like the slave cylinder, and a set of pedals from a manual-transmission 740. I have an M47 5 speed (not the M46 4 speeed plus overdrive) that I was thinking of rebuilding and installing. I have a 3.31:1 diff with Volvo locker that would work well with the 5 speed (the automatic has a 3.73:1, and it's open). I have a set of control arms and a sway bar for the rear too, but body modifications would need to be made since the sway came from a 960 and they were slightly different from a 780 in body shape.
What more can I say? This is a pretty unique car that would be fun to modify, or drive around for another 200,000 miles. Your choice.
More honesty and information here: http://www.calgaryvolvoclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2906 Many pictures of the engine build here: http://www.calgaryvolvoclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2317
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1988-volvo-780-bertone-coupe/565145764