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1997 Volvo 850, new old friend

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    #61
    Once again I started a "minor" project that evolved into a regrettable ordeal after the first steps. I should call myself the hindsight savant or something like that.

    The rust on the fender:
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    A minor eyesore, patch it up before polishing and maybe increase the rock-bottom resale value even a bit.
    So I decided to take off the fender since its pretty simple on these, the fender bends back behind the front bumper so there's a bit of rust where I couldn't get to it otherwise.

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    After removing the headlight, blinker, battery, left hood latch, side marker light, wheel, drilling out 7 rivets, wheel liner, only snapping 2 rusty bolts and one that came with the surrounding metal still attached. Only took 1,5h with a friend.

    The backside of the fender looks like this:
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    There you can probably figure out where I tried to turn a bolt and the metal around the bolt turned too, leaving a nice hole.
    The worst of it is below (and behind) the bumper, but I managed to stick a screwdriver clean through the visible part, eventually I got a nice thumb-sized hole and very pitted metal around it.

    Currently looking for two new (used) front fenders. All the red ones seem to be just as faded as mine, which is great if I can't be arsed to polish this thing when the time comes.
    Oh yeah and I got the summer tires balanced, no more shaking. The perfect time to dismantle the car for an indefinite time!
    1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
    1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

    Comment


      #62
      We would have a lot in common! I don’t know the cure for ten minute projects that take ten hours. Other than getting older and less physically fit.
      1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
      1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

      GMN Box Panther History
      Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
      Box Panther Production Numbers

      Comment


        #63
        After realizing that getting a fender in the same color is dumb since I couldn't find them locally, I got a different color fender from 30 minutes away. Only the driver side though, I've decided to not touch the passenger side, too much work. Did get a spray can of colormatched paint for this thing

        Naturally, the new used fender is rusting from the same spot, mostly just surface rust and slight pitting. Also the fender has 3 boltholes with threads, 2 of them had snapped bolts in them and had to drill them out.
        Also, mine's a '96 and the fender is older, where there's a dumb bracket instead of a tab:
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        Both bolts to the bracket require the fender to be installed, doesn't make it any easier that the bracket and the bolts are only accessible from underneath the car. Yeah no thanks I think I'll leave it be.

        Ground the rust away and some rust proofing primer and undercoating on top.
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        I think it's a bit overdone but whatever. At least the untouched other side evens things out. It won't rust before I get rid of this whole damn car.

        Tomorrow I'll scuff the paint and straighten out the single dent, not sure if I need a primer yet.

        Other news, a wax will do enough to the paint. I used Autoglym Super Resin Polish. I won't have to take out the polisher.
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        Lovely factory orange peel eh?
        Last edited by Arquemann; 04-29-2020, 01:08 PM.
        1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
        1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

        Comment


          #64
          Done! I think.
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          It's purdy, definitely doesn't look like the 750€ shitbox from last fall. Not that it stayed at the 750€ for that long...
          The hubcaps make such a big difference too.
          I might just order a certain yellow sticker with a certain hooved animal in it.

          Some comparisons:
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          Paint done with Turtlewax red wax and "black" trim with a random bottle of some trim restorer.
          Now I gotta do all this stuff to my MGM too, with some more effort.

          Anyone interested in a barely broken-in, mint condition, reliable tank of a Volvo?
          1200€ or trade for Mercedes or BMW. Might be a bit far away for many of you though...
          1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
          1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

          Comment


            #65
            I opened Google photos for the image stuff and it showed a timeline photo.
            This photo was taken three years ago yesterday:

            That was just under a month after I got my driving license.

            -Sniff
            1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
            1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

            Comment


              #66
              Apparently the attachment decided to break:
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              1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
              1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

              Comment


                #67
                That wax is miracle worker. Car looks very good!
                1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
                1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

                GMN Box Panther History
                Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
                Box Panther Production Numbers

                Comment


                  #68
                  Arqeemann stay away from BMW's they are pure garbage you will pass everything but repair shops and watch your wallet scream when it is being squeezed as you pay overinflated repair bills and parts. Trust me on this many people find out the hard way and I had the misfortune of working on BMW's and still I scream AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH plus a colorful veriaty of cuss words in English and Russian that will make a Sailer blush.

                  Comment


                    #69
                    Originally posted by Rodentkiller View Post
                    Arqeemann stay away from BMW's they are pure garbage you will pass everything but repair shops and watch your wallet scream when it is being squeezed as you pay overinflated repair bills and parts. Trust me on this many people find out the hard way and I had the misfortune of working on BMW's and still I scream AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH plus a colorful veriaty of cuss words in English and Russian that will make a Sailer blush.
                    Have you had beemers yourself? Depending on things, I'd do things myself. I do have a feel that BMW prices might a wee bit higher in the states. I've been thinking of E46's and E39's. My criteria are a bit weird, I want the smaller engines, but in automatic. Other than that, cruise, AC and power windows are appreciated.
                    Mercedes' are a maybe the wiser choice as BMW's have pretty high insurance premiums due to the nature of the cars. Young owners, high crash ratio and so on.

                    Atleast I know swear words in finnish, swedish, english and a few in german and russian so I guess I'd be set for owning one. I've only needed finnish and english words with the Volvo.
                    Last edited by Arquemann; 05-08-2020, 03:04 AM.
                    1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
                    1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

                    Comment


                      #70
                      Depends on the era of BMW. The older ones are actually serviceable by mere mortals. E46/E39 you're probably fine with, I believe its the generation after that which becomes a giant pain to live with. Mercedes I understand is similar, and about the same time frame, so mid 2000s onward.

                      One thing I will give BMW, they're very good about parts support. I can still get most of the BMW items for my mid 80s diesel engine. Some of them aren't even insanely priced. The Ford parts, forget it.
                      86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                      5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                      91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                      1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                      Originally posted by phayzer5
                      I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

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                        #71
                        If you insist on the BMW they will run good for the first 5 years only needing maintance after 5 years get ready to pay the over inflated price for parts and the constant aggravation. Get a Mercedes it is a bullet proof car and it is German just like the junk BMW, and the Mercedes is reliable as all get out.

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                          #72
                          The wax definitely didn't last long, a week at best before it got all stripy and the repainted front fender started sticking out.
                          I've waxed it two more times and then it's sat outside in the rain all the time. It definitely looks ten times better than before the waxing, but it's stripy.

                          The car is still for sale and I've looked at quite many cars and nothing has really felt good enough except for a couple pricy Mercedes'.
                          I'm torn between selling it and keeping it. I could get a car with less miles, better consumption and most importantly of all, a quieter ride. Cons being I'd get new problems and "features".
                          But the Volvo feels solid, drives well and I know my way around it, it has all the options I want. And except for the couple rust holes and the mileage, it's in excellent condition.

                          Were I to keep it, I'd have to do something about the tire noise, it's the biggest flaw with the car IMO.
                          New, quieter tires would be the natural and easiest thing to do, the BFG G-grips on it are a bit old but have generous amounts of tread left.
                          Cheaper ways would probably to put sound deadening in the plastic wheel well liners and inside on the doors, floor and lower firewall.
                          Lowering springs and front lip spoiler for better aerodynamics and better consumption?

                          I should tackle the rusty bits in the rear arches, to avoid them becoming an issue for inspection later on.
                          A friend of mine is a bit of a car care nut, so we might machine polish the car this summer, after said rust is fixed.
                          Then there's the seat heater and more minor things to fix if I get bored. Powertrain-wise only thing broken is the PCV system which is just FUBAR, it'd need replacing and of course the only place for such parts is IPD Usa.

                          Lately I've fixed the rattling and loose tailgate interior panel, just jammed some slightly too big clips and bam: good as new.
                          Managed to fix the howling sound coming from the rear of the car at highway speeds. The seal around the rear window washer sprayer had shrunk so it wouldn't seal anymore. I put an O-ring on top of it and now it sits snugly against the rear glass, also doesn't leak anymore.
                          1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
                          1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

                          Comment


                            #73
                            I tend to use things till their end of life.

                            My Vic is my first car. Still have it and likely never going anywhere.

                            Was gifted a ford escort and used that until my sister needed a car and she used that till it rusted to death.

                            When I gave the scort to my sis I picked up my 04 e320 with around 92k i believe in 2014. Has 138k now ( i don't drive much)and dont plan on getting rid of it until I am forced to. Its cheaper to keep her...within reason.
                            ~David~

                            My 1987 Crown Victoria Coupe: The Brown Blob
                            My 2004 Mercedes Benz E320:The Benz

                            Originally posted by ootdega
                            My life is a long series of "nevermind" and "I guess not."

                            Originally posted by DerekTheGreat
                            But, that's just coming from me, this site's biggest pessimist. Best of luck

                            Originally posted by gadget73
                            my car starts and it has AC. Yours doesn't start and it has no AC. Seems obvious to me.




                            Comment


                              #74
                              Originally posted by 87gtVIC View Post
                              I tend to use things till their end of life.

                              My Vic is my first car. Still have it and likely never going anywhere.
                              That is admirable in this time of disposable everything.
                              My first car, '02 Volvo V40, I bought it 50/50 with my dad and I was hell bent on keeping it and upgrading things to my liking. Then I got T-boned in it and the repair cost would've been thrice the car in mint condition.
                              Then came my Audi, good car but completely forgettable, I would've kept it if I hadn't absolutely had to get an american car, and here I am with my MGM with no regrets. I want to keep it, but I would like a whale Vic/GM, since I could use those year-round and have a dedicated summer/project car.
                              I don't think I'll ever have a forever car, there are certain cars I want with a burning passion, but most are so far out of reach as a student. '49-'51 shoebox (chopped), '62-'64 fullsize Ford coupe or wagon, 1st gen Torino.
                              My parents have had over 40 cars since my dad's first car in 1984. The longest they had a single car was 21 years, which got wrecked.

                              Like my parents, I got into american cars early, and there's no going back anymore.
                              1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
                              1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

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                                #75
                                Here it is, another episode of nobody gives a shit! lol

                                From this:
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                                To this:
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                                While not as nice and shiny as with the color wax, this will stay. After the compounding we applied Bilt Hamber Autobalm to protect the refreshed paint.
                                This is definitely not even close to nice paint or anything, pitted paint, rock chips, deep scratches all stayed. I don't care, it's not pink anymore and this is a winter beater anyways.

                                The rust repairs are hard to see too!
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                                And the same on the other side, not gonna spam too many pics.
                                The replaced fender and the fixed rust spots are juuuust slightly more orange than the rest of the car.
                                There's still some rust on the rear wheel arches and the non-replaced front fender, no holes yet so I don't care.

                                The car is probably going to sit for a month or two more, depends on how far into the fall I'll drive the MGM. I think I'll get the timing belt and water pump done before winter on the Volvo. Belt is 10yrs old and has atleast 95k kms on it...
                                I also intend to clean up and paint the winter steelies, as they're crusty and ugly as hell. I won't use the hubcaps during the winter because ice and snow likes to pack inside those and cause vibrations.
                                1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
                                1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

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