1990 Volvo 740 16 Valve 83,531 Miles on 2040-cars

Selling a Volvo 74 sedan with 16 valve engine, unusually low mileage and in overall good condition. Volvo offered this engine for just a few years. Rated at 154 HP, power is similar to the turbo (162 HP) without the turbo related complications. The 16 valve engine has been described as "turbine-like" and likes high RPMs; unfortunately these were not offered with manual transmissions in the States.

I am the second owner and bought the car in 2006, drove it for a year and then started a teaching job overseas, so it has been driven only summers since 2007. Mileage in ’06 was around 58,000 and it now reads around 83,500. The speedometer/odometer have always worked. Due to intermittent use I guess, oil consumption increased and it began to lose coolant, so the car was parked several years ago.

Last summer I had a spare head rebuilt by Aluminum Head Rebuilders in Oregon, new guides, new hydraulic tappets, etc., lightly planed, pressure tested fine, and put that on the car. Balance shaft belt is removed as recommended by 16 valve owners, new seals all around in the front of the engine, mostly new idler bearings, timing belt, hoses, gaskets, etc. The engine ran well but I ran out of time and left the car over the winter. This spring I replaced the rear calipers- rotors- brake shoes and then found that the engine slowly leaks coolant from the head gasket. Whether it’s a poor gasket seal or a warped block surface I don’t know, and don’t have time to investigate. I will be leaving the country again soon and just don’t have any more time to invest in the car. So it’s for sale as is— running and driving, registered in RI but inspection has expired, with a slow coolant leak from the head gasket.

The body is in good condition with the usual clearcoat peeling on top surfaces, hood, roof, and trunk. There are several small dings on the car and a small dent under the passenger side mirror from a bicycle rider who was going a little too fast (she was ok). Interior is in excellent shape, see pictures, with cracking in the dash cover common to this year Volvo. All gauges and electronics work. The car has been well maintained over the years, all Bosch electrics, Volvo parts where available, fluids changed regularly (trans, steering, brake fluid). Overall it’s just too good a car to scrap or part out. At any rate, I don’t have time or interest in parting out the car.

Besides the clearcoat issues, the power steering pump is slow to warm up, front suspension needs a general rebuild; a pair of Boge gas shocks will come with the car, plus a set of strut mounts. The windshield washer reservoir has a leak so the warning light stays on. The right taillight leaks from somewhere and causes the bulb warning light to come on when it rains. The lights work but need to be sealed. Front bumper has a scrape as pictured. The AC has gradually lost its charge and needs a recharge at this point.

Overall this is a solid 740 and a good candidate for repair, or a 5-speed swap and/ or a 16v turbo conversion. I have a spare good 16v short block (that the head came from) that can come with the car. Also have a known good ’91 turbo engine and trans with 106,000 miles that could be part of a package for additional cost. Email me to discuss options if interested.

More pictures are available at:
s1133.photobucket.com/user/baba_tutti_sikkim/library/90%20Volvo%2016%20valve?sort=6&page=1

Note that the Volvo Hydra wheel rims pictured DO NOT come with the car at this price; I will mount the set of Volvo alloy 10-spokes seen in one of the pics. Tires on these are very good and have nearly all tread remaining.

Title: Rhode Island does not title vehicles more than ten years old. I have the current RI registration, plus the previous New Jersey title signed over to the dealer I bought the car from, and Reassignment of Certificate of Ownership signed over to me. This should be adequate to register the car in any state.

As stated, the car runs and drives but is not inspected. It can be driven a short distance but I strongly recommend a head gasket replacement before driving any distance. This is an absolute auction, highest offer buys the car. Being a 24 year old car, it is being sold on an as is, where is basis with no guarantees other than the information listed here.

Email with questions.