I am new to Brickboard, and am not sure if I am posting this in the right place.I have known George Downs for sometime, and I know that he used to post on here quite a bit. Over the past weekend I was went to Bartlesville where his wife lives and pulled the yellow peril out of the weeds where it started right up. After some long talks I was able to buy the yellow peril with the promise to get it running right and restored.
I trailed the 73 145 wagon back to Bentonville AR where I live and am now starting the process in memory of George. I plan to use this thread to show the progress of the yellow peril.
I have a fully restored 1975 164E, so I plan to use the knowledge that I learned from that to help me along the way. I thought some users on here might like to know the status of the wagon so just giving everyone a update.
Currently the wagon is leaking some fuel from one of the clamps under the car. Also the fuel pump shuts off when you turn the key to the 3 position, so you have to get the car running then slightly turn it between 2 and 3. I am thinking a ignition switch?? The idle is also really high which I do know how to adjust, but does anyone know any tricks to getting it low or why George might have had it up that high?
Thanks for all or your inputs! I plan to post pictures along the way!

I have a bunch of 164 and 164E parts including a BW35 transmission (new planetary gears, torque converter, brake bands) a factory manual, a Stromberg manual, spark modules and lord knows what all.
you and the other164 drivers are welcome to what ever is there for the price of postage or freight.
Paul in Norwalk, Ca.

Earths,earths,earths. Check all earths from engine to chassis and back to battery. Make sure they are clean with good continuity. The coolant temp sensor earths through its body to ground, the thread may be corroded and give false reading.

3-16-15
Worked on the yellow peril a lot this weekend with the help of my friend David. The car is running really rich. we put a O2 sensor in the exhaust and it reads about 10-11 and blows black smoke. Once the car warms up the smoke dies down and it goes to a 14 which is the stable state according to the O2 sensor. I have no idea what do to.
We also replaced the injector seals which there were none, and put the fiber washers under the injector housing. The head popped a freeze plug before I got the car and so I also put a new plug in.
When I was doing the freeze plug I noticed how bad the antifreeze was so I pulled the radiator and drained the brown colored water. I was only able to get a pint of brown nasty water out!! So I flushed the radiator and refilled it.
Does anyone have any idea on the richness? I read in the green book that there is some adjustment on the computer under the passenger seat??

You will need to check the coolant temp sensor for a proper range. The computer box under the dash is probably screwed all the way for a lean reading and you can't do much more for that.

Did you check the functioning of the thermostat and make sure it is opening at the proper temperature? Get one of those cheap IR scanners and check the temp of the housing as the car warms up, most of the scanners will read C as well as F.

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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

I had never met George personally as my home is Australia. I have had contact with him on BB and privately over 15 years. When I lost my son in law he supported me through a very hard time with his caring attitude and prayers for my families loss. I want to point out the side of George that I knew and won't forget. Jack McIntyre.

He wasa grumpy old curmudgeon, and not so appreciative to what some BBers did for his daughter many years ago, but I am sure he is very glad you have given the Yellow Peril a good home.

keep her going.

What did they do for his daughter??

A bunch of us did a project to build a 240 for his daughter, I was involved on car #1 and car #2 and did a s##tload of work on getting the final product done...never heard a TY from George. But then again I really did it for the thought of helping someone out who really needed it at the time.

The only good thing was I got to meet FlabFC in the flesh!

3-09-15
I have not done much on the Yellow Peril since the last update. We have had a late winter here in Arkansas with snow for the past several weeks. As I last stated I got the idle down with at new MAPS unit and got the new ignition switch in so it runs on the 3rd position now!
This coming Friday the Yellow Peril will be taken to a new place for a little bit. Since I got the engine pretty well running, but I need to go through the fuel injection. This Friday I will take it to Clinton Arkansas where a friend of mine, who also bought George's 164 and is restoring it, will help me go through the fuel injection and then start the body work to paint it.
The Yellow Peril is coming along well. My goal is to have the paint and body work done by the end of the summer and then start on some of the smaller things inside like the headliner and sun visors.
Connor Kleck

Check the seals for throttle shaft in inlet manifold for leaks.

UPDATE: 2-17-15
Over the weekend despite the snow I was able to get a spare MAP sensor and tried it and the idle went down from 3000 RPM to 1000RPM. I still need to go and take all the hoses off and replace them.
I am still waiting on the ignition switch to arrive, as well as the fuel injection fiber washers.
When I pulled one of the spark plugs it was very very sooty, but not wet. I am going to guess that this was because of the MAP sensor. The head and the block has been rebuilt by George and his grandson before he passed, so I would guess that it does not need a rebuild.

Thank you Sir for saving the Yellow Peril. It breaks my heart each time I see a 144 or 164 go to the crusher. My 1974 144, bought new by my parents, remains my daily driver after 40 years of sterling service, and counting. That explains why the 140/160 Volvos are my favourites. And they are getting rarer than hen's teeth ;)

I sat in the Yellow Peril in 2003 when I first visited George during my days in Oklahoma City. It was barely running, but the interior looked exactly like my 144 that I started to feel nostalgic. I visited George when I was free, and sometimes George will look me up whenever he was in Oklahoma City . George gave me plenty of advise to restore my 144 to showroom condition.
In 2005, I visited George for the last time as I left for home. We kept in touch thru e mails until George passeod on. I still remember his advise and put it to use whenever my 144 needs maintenance.

Good to hear the Yellow Peril will be restored. I wish you all the best, and will be keeping up with your post from time to time.

And I hope wherever George is now, he has a brand new shiny 164 to drive.

Amaresh Dev
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
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1974 144GL, 1996 940 GL LPT

You guys are all making me miss fat Emma. She was hit and totalled and I finally gave her away and replaced her. Already the replacement has been more trouble than Fat Emma ever was.

When they got these cars right, they got them right.

So I do have a slight update.
Yesterday I replaced part of a gas line that was leaking. I also was having trouble with the ignition switch where the fuel pump would stop pumping at 3 when you turned the key so you have to leave the pump running then get the car started and then turn it back to stage 2. I have got a new switch coming in which I expect to have hopefully next week.
Today in the meantime I am going to go ahead and pull all the hoses and replace them.
I did notice a note that George wrote on the MAP sensor or the hand grenade as I call it that said "fast idle" so this is what I am guessing has to do with the fast idle. I know that George had in his parts garage several good MAP units, so I am not too sure as to why he did not replace it.
Luckily I have a spare one that I can swap and not have to shell out the $300 for a rebuilt one.

I think George always referred to his "parts garage" as the "cultch heap"!
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"Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig

Nice of you to carry the torch.
As posted, look for vacuum leaks first for the high idle. Broken or dried out hoses will do that.
After that, my guess would be a faulty auxiliary air valve. Try blocking that off and see if the idle comes down.

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"Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig

Conner, you are in exactly the correct place. Good for you! I am glad the yellow peril is finally going to get help. Just remember, George liked to tinker and some of the parts may be home made.

As to the fast idle, probably just a loose hose.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Sir: You do Mr. Downs and all of us RWD Brickheads a justice.

I still miss Mr. Down's posts. I'd read all of them, nearly.

I have a fully restored 1975 164E

Sir: You realize the Volvo brickhead enthusiast dream.

The Volvo 164: The MIGHTIEST Volvo ever.

Want. One. Also. With manual transmission.

Thank you,

Volvo 164 Wanting
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