Hi,

I just got a 544 off ebay (Item # 2491169262) and I'm going to fly down to LA on the 11th and be driving it up to Seattle during the next week.

It's a little daunting, since I don't know the car, but I'm excited and feeling adventurous and I've got a week off. I'm getting AAA and bringing tools.

I'd like to have a list of good resources for parts/shops that are old volvo friendly along the I5 route. Im going to detour off the I5 and go visit relatives in Santa Rosa and might get tempted to do 101. If you know of any reputable shops or resources please reply and I'll put them on my list in case of a breakdown.

Also, if you were going on a road trip like this, what spare parts would you bring?

Thanks!

Bre

I thought that was McDuck's car when I saw it on ebay.

I don't think 1) you could have collected a better 544; 2) anything will go wrong on your trip home. I do think you bought a car for less than half what it would cost you to duplicate. The builder knows his art.

If you need anything in terms of parts or help in or near Portland, drop us a line. Free labor on this car.

Actually, I'd so much like to see it in person that I'll buy you a decent lunch if you'd just be kind enough to stop by on your way through.

There's a damn fine mechanic in Seattle - lemme know if you need his number.

Congrats!

Best,

Cameron
SwedishRelics 503-703-4366
Portland

I'll be stopping in portland to visit an old friend and drink beer.

I'd be happy to stop in and let you look. (before the beer)

Bre

When you do get it up here to Seattle, check in with Matt over at X-Ray Auto in Ballard. The guy really knows his stuff. Though I do feel bad about dropping in since I end up jabbering away for half an hour with him and he doesn't get any work done.....
--
'64 PVMoneypit, '93 945 Turbo

Thanks for all the feedback! Feel free to keep it coming. My list of resources is growing. Thanks for the advice. I'm going to get a spare thermostat to bring along as well. Also, great reminder to have a spare tank on board. I ran out of my gas in my (now sold to buy this volvo) car a few weeks ago, luckily I was able to coast to within about 500 yards of a gas station, I was lucky.

I'm excited about it. I feel like I got a really good rig.

I'm sure I'll be posting for lots of advice when I get it to seattle and do a tune up! This board is fantastic!

Thanks!

Bre

Great buy. It doesn't sound like you will need it but if you take I5,there is an exclusively Volvo shop in Springfield OR, Alpine Imports 541-726-1808. Have a safe trip
DC

Don't forget, when bringing tools, that the car's unified, not metric.

I built that car; I doubt you'll need any spares that didn't come with it.
The gas tanks on PVs are really small; keep a close eye on the gas guage.

I'm about to shoot color - spent a year getting it ready - and I'm searching for a color. Could you give me some info on the beige?

Appreciate the help!

Joe in St Louis

1985 Ford medium sand beige, code 86, Acme code 85-34355 00.

Excellent point about the small gas tank. Especially with the DCOEs. Get a 2 or so gallon gas can to keep in the trunk as a reserve...

You might do better, but I'd count on 15mpg... which would give you somewhere around a 140 mile cruize range. Though I don't remember exactly how big the tank would be.

-Matt
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-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC

It's really a myth that DCOEs can't get good fuel economy. Most people just don't get through the tuning process to where they're really right... and I imagine Jim did get them right.

Yeah, but it gets particularly poor mileage if you're having fun.

Indeed... That was my point. I've gotten high 20s in my 145, but usually its down around 15. Of course, mine are not properly tuned, and a 544 is a good bit lighter.

-Matt
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-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC

I bought my 544 on eBay and drove it home from San Jose (the owner lived in San Francisco, but was moving to San Jose),

I had no problems other than dim headlights, and I computed 30 mpg at 60 mph on I-5.

Around town I'm getting about 25 mpg.

I have a B20 engine and automatic transmission with the original 4.1:1 rear gears.

Driving from LA to Seattle sounds like fun. If you had given me a ittle more lead time, I'd gladly have joined you an a caravan. I like driving my car, and I have friends near Seattle that I'd like to go see.

Come to think of it, does anyone recognize this car? Who did the restoration?

If you notice some bits missing you might want to stop by a salvage yard. There is a Volvo/Volkswagon specific junkyard near the oakland airport, but the better junkyards are probably in the LA area, or the Rancho Cordova area. If you need any mechanical replacement parts (brakes, oil filters, bearings, suspension) you should stop by RPR Volvo in Albany, just north of Berkeley and Oakland, great knowledge, service, and prices (they are only open during the week and they take an hour off for lunch).

With that car, I wouldn't be too worried. I'd bring an alternator belt, duct tape, bailing wire, maybe a 12V elec fuel pump if you have one lying around. Gallon of antifreeze, gallon of water, some brake fluid and oil maybe. And tools of course.

I just bought this one and drove 300 miles home in it. The PO put less than 100 miles on it around town in the last 6 years. He redid the brakes and steering and fixed a bunch of rust but that was about it. His fuel tank rust repair job wasn't holding and I ended up putting a 5 gallon can in the trunk and rerouted the fuel line. Other than that, it ran pretty good and got me home.

Good luck and congratulations, that looks like a nice car!

--
Volvo Farmer:

20 Volvos '58-'91

The list I would propose would just about match Bob's... I would normally suggest a spare distributor, but your has a new one, so thats probably no big deal. If you hvae one, I suppose you could just go ahead and bring it along in case the electronic ignition fails, but thats not likely.

Very nice looking car you gothcaself there. Do let us know how it does on the trip back!

-Matt
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-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC