Hey, everybody.

I just picked up my late (RIP Doug) friend's 90 Regina sedan - a 744 GL. He got it and did a few things to it before passing away, but I need to go through it.

I'll be posting a few things as I go through it.

First, brakes: I drove it home today and know I need to go over the brakes. I drove about 20 minutes and about 6 miles, and I found the passenger rear wheel was cold - like the other 3 were about 120F, and that one was ambient, about 70F. That makes me think that brake is not working. The brake pedal is spongey, but it does stop. Maybe that one wheel has substantial air in it. I've never seen this before, although I have seen seized calipers that would give a hot wheel.

Second, Cam seal and Timing belt: I have a new breather box for it and a new cam seal... an a new water pump seal haha. Ugh. I hate water pumps. If the oil leak does not stop when I change the breather box, then I'll need to change the seal. How urgent is it that I change the timing belt? I know these 8-valve engines are generally non-interference except a few weird versions like the b230fk of b230fe. It isn't bathing in oil, but it does have oil near it.
I might order the counterhold tool, but they have like a 4-week lead time from IPD :( I could do the rope trick (by the way, nylon and other plastics are a bad idea - should be cotton or jute/hemp only). I think the U-joint idea sounds right up my alley. I may have an improvement on it too!

Third - I need to replace a few of the individual connectors in the passenger light pigtail. The lens was leaking, and water caused the circuit board ground to rust away inside the female terminal. Where can I find new crimps? I got them from a dealer once upon a time. The latest parts diagrams I saw did not have them shown.
Also, the high-mount brake light has come loose. How do I reattach it? Epoxy?

Last (for now), the first time I drove it more than 3 or 4 miles, it sat for about 15 minutes and then gave me a no-crank for about 15 minutes. I can't remember if the starter solenoid clicked or not. I could replace either the solenoid or starter, or just clean the contacts in the solenoid.
I wanted to check the connections on the Neutral Safety Switch, but the 2 screws from the plastic e-brake cover (below the brake lever) are very rusted. How do people get those out? I have a manual hammer-driven impact driver, but ... not loving the idea of hammering on them and that brittle plastic.


This is my first NA Volvo (not counting that GLE wagon that will be getting my rebuilt b230ft), and the only Regina system I've ever laid hands on. I noticed the FAQ says (I think) that the charcoal canister only has 1 line to the intake. Mine definitely has 2.

Happy Bricking!