Hi all,
I had this gas tank refurbished and it came back with the threaded hole in the corner, hopefully the picture comes through. I don't remember if there was a plug in there but for sure nothing connects there. Did the shop forget to put the plug back in?Anybody can enlighten me?

I don't recall that fitting in my 1974 144, but then I never had the tank out. I did some reading and it's as Derek says, for a fuel return line.

In the earlier D-Jet systems it was apparently a double barbed Tee fitting for a return fuel line from the CIS pressure regulator and some kind of overpressure line from the pump. If your '72 142e ('e' for einspritz, German for injection) is K-Jet (I forget the switch over, either '72 or '73) then they apparently eliminated the fuel pump overflow, now just using a barbed brass elbow for the return line.

Hopefully you can find the return line left hanging somewhere with the brass fitting attached. If not then the shop probably needed to take the fitting off for handling and neglected to put it back.

I see a comment not to force it too much as the fitting on the tank is soldered and might crack, then needing re-soldering. I'd say inspect the solder carefully for fractures before installing the tank as you may not otherwise know until you eventually smell gas vapours drifting up into the rear wheel wells, but having been at a good shop they hopefully checked it carefully. If in doubt, with the tank off you could plug the fitting or put a small length of hose on it with the open end held high, put a bit of gas in the tank and tip it up with that corner down low to check for any hint of a leak, maybe leave it overnight (not in the house) with rags tightly stuffed into the filler tube and pickup assembly holes.
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

There is a plug in there, the shop forgot to put it in afterwards.
Thanks!

1974 gas tanks are different than a 1972.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

Eric, yes, now that you mention it, I do recall the '74 140 fuel tanks were different. For 1974, the fuel tank was re-designed and relocated to a safer position closer and above the axle in the event of a full on front-rear crush, also designed with tank headspace to prevent escape from overfill expansion. The gas cap was moved from being recessed by the right taillight to behind the flap on the left rear quarter panel. I see a note that the filler neck was redesigned that year to include the fill vent tube.

Thinking of this reminded me that '74 was an introductory year for a number of new safety features and other engineering changes. These were among the reasons I traded in my sporty 122S for a brand new '74 144GL more suitable to my family and business needs. A few of these I remembered off the top of my head, but an early brochure I found reminded me of others: These included 5 mph bumpers (heavier, stronger square aluminum bumpers on retracting shocks), multi-stage collapsing steering column, SIPS (side impact proctection bars in the doors), stronger door arches, one-piece front door windows (no more window vents, but upgraded dash vents and now push button air vent controls), halogen H4 square headlights, and the BIS (bulb integrity sensor) bulb out relay we all know and love (Volvo was one of the first with this). 1974 also saw the introduction of the lower emissions K-Jetronic CIS (constant injection system) on the B20F, replacing the earlier D-Jet. The radio antenna moved into the windshield glass, not great for reception. A seatbelt warning buzzer was added with a passenger seat weight detector switch. '74 also saw rear child door locks and half-down rear windows, but I forget if those may have been 1973.

I remember I was also on a visibility safety kick and ordered Sun Yellow from the Halifax assembly plant, orange being too much for my tastes. My first upgrade was adding DRL with an aftermarket unit that used a sensor wire wrapped around an ignition wire to know when the engine was running. I got my first 100K high mileage badge without that car ever being in a body shop -other than my own rusty rear quarter panel, storage well and pinch weld repairs.
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

No picture but as it is an injection car I might think it is for the return line. Not needed if you are on carbs or it has been converted to them.