Is it just me, or are there some parts on our Volvos that last seemingly "forever" with no end in sight?

My '86 240 is at 332,000 miles.

Original starter.

Original alternator (brushes/voltage regulator replaced at 180,000 miles).

I got 225,000 miles out of the factory clutch.

Still have one of the original fuel pumps (can't remember if I replaced the one under the car or the one in the tank, but one of them is a factory part).

150,000+ miles on the factory waterpump, which must be a record for a B230F as they seem to fail early due to issues with the seal between the pump and the block.

Still have most of the original ignition system. Coil is original, distributor is original (except for cap & rotor).

Fuel system mostly original. Replaced the wiring harness, ECU and IAC motor. Injectors original, fuel pressure regulator original, all of the lines are original.

Brakes....have gone through three sets of front rotors and two sets of rear rotors. Replaced the front calipers once at 200,000+ miles. Rear calipers are factory. Master cylinder has been replaced. Otherwise the braking system is factory (booster, junction box thing under the car, all lines) and the car still stops on a dime.

The drivetrain (with care) and most of the Bosch manufactered electronics seem to last forever. When I sold my 90 with 300k it had its original engine, transmission (leaking from 2 places), diff, driveshaft, u-joints, alternator, starter, distributor, coil, radiator and main fuel pump.

Parts that definitely don't last forever: The brakes and especially the exhaust. Seemed like I was constantly replacing one or other.....

Now you've done it. Murphy is out to get you now, and he knows your name.

The next thing to happen is you'll be out on a trip with a dead battery, because the brushes don't last nearly as long as the original set running on grooved slip rings. Your tank pump will die tomorrow, or perhaps it has already, but the symptoms will appear on the hottest day.

Seriously, those two items are worth checking, because the check is easy to make: The brush holder is the trickiest, but worth the trouble to avoid being stranded by short or broken alternator brushes.



The tank pump is easy to check in a quiet place, like this:


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things?

My 1984 244 with 322,000 miles still has the original starter, engine and M46 tranny. The alternator lasted 24 years. I think I still have the original fuel pumps and relays but I can't vouch for that. The paint on the top and driver's side is original.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 317,000 miles
Original engine, transmission, drive train, starter
Undergoing reconstructive surgery with POR-15

1972 142 S - The Yellow Brick - 135,000 miles
All stock except for Weber Carb. B20B engine. M40

My '79 was on the original...

Engine, head, even valve cover gasket, distributor, fuel distributor
Axle
TAB's
All body panels (no rust in sunny OK)
Alternator
Starter
Heater core and control valve

Replaced were...

Most of the suspension bushings
Blower motor
BW55 tranny (due cooler leak that tainted the fluid)
Radiator
Other suspension components
Lots of electrical stuff

The car had 330K on it when I donated it to a painter friend. Rear main was leaking a quart every 500 miles and the AC had not worked since Reagan was new in the Whitehouse.