1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

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jamescarruthers
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1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:11 am

Saved! D101 DWP chassis number 507274. I think this makes it the second oldest car known about in the UK (107 cars behind Keith Cooper's launch car.‎

More details to follow and will be seeking advice on getting a car that has sat for 20 years going again. 

I'm thinking new belt, light oil down the spark plug holes  (have heard ‎diesel is good) to help piston rings become loose, cam cover off and oil over the top, oil change, turn engine by hand.


Image

Any members near Redditch fancy helping me one day next week, or the weekend after this one to get it mobile‎ so I can get it on a transporter to Cambridge?

I'm thinking of asking Lake's if I can borrow four spare wheels and hoping the handbrake isn't too siezed on, if at all. I haven't had to deal with this before‎. What's the procedure, remove the calipers or attempt to wind them back?

Not much history known. The guy I got it off bought a row of garages and found it in there. Word from the locals is that it has been in there for 20-odd years. No keys so Marshall Volvo will cut these for me from the chassis number, once I have the V5. DVLA has it last taxed 20 years ago‎:
Image



Last edited by jamescarruthers on Sun Apr 15, 2018 4:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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jamescarruthers
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Posts: 2501
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:11 am

Image
Last edited by jamescarruthers on Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:12 am

Image
Last edited by jamescarruthers on Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:12 am


Image
Last edited by jamescarruthers on Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:12 am

Image
Last edited by jamescarruthers on Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:13 am

Image
Last edited by jamescarruthers on Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

Rachel
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by Rachel » Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:03 am

Wow! Nice save!! Have you managed to have a good look a round it? Hopefully is won't be too seized up. :hopping:

I'd love to help you get her out of the garage but I guess you'll be needing someone with mechanical know-how, of which I am pretty short of!
'95 Storm Grey 323 Manual Turbo, Richmod
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'95 Vase Green Turbo~ Vanessa~ 'Serendipity' manual, Richmod. RIP
'90 Light Blue 480 Turbo auto....RIP
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Audi 80 coupe Gold...pimp my ride! RIP
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jamescarruthers
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:09 am

Thanks Rachel!‎

Unfortunately I could only see the left side as it is parked hard up against the wall on the right and is very immobile with four flat tyres. A bit of rust on the arches, but not so bad that it will need repair panels, just a few chunks welded in. (famous last words!)‎

I'm hoping to get it mobile next week and then collect ‎at the weekend.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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dragonflyjewels
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by dragonflyjewels » Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:11 am

Well done for rescuing that one James - a genuine 'barn find'
We are off to Glasgow on Tuesday and not back until Sunday so Al won't be able to help with the collection, but we can offer the use of a set of wheels with decent tyres from the pile of spares in our garage. Al will be in Thetford on Saturday if you want to meet up to collect them.
Bet all the rubbers are securely stuck to the windows and sun roof. Hairdryer or fan heater on the rubber to help soften it first, then try sliding a thin blade between so you can get some WD in (silicon spray is better but a nightmare on the paintwork) Not such an issue on the sunroof as it has sacrifical plastic struts which can be replaced from Shapeways - easy job with the aid of a video on youtube.
We have always found that electric motors that haven't been used for a long time 'go to sleep' - everyone poo poos this, but it's worked 100% of times for us with Al's huge collection of mechanical toys and recently worked on our 'junk' 480's window regulators. If you can get some WD inside the motor to clear the dust that helps, then just keep giving the motor a brief try on full power - eventually they start working again.
Good luck with it, hope we see it on one of the meets after its long hibernation.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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brinkie
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by brinkie » Thu Mar 29, 2018 11:09 am

jamescarruthers wrote:
Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:09 am
Unfortunately I could only see the left side as it is parked hard up against the wall on the right and is very immobile with four flat tyres. A bit of rust on the arches, but not so bad that it will need repair panels, just a few chunks welded in. (famous last words!)‎
Don't do just a few chunks, you will regret this 2 years later, when the rest of the arch starts to fall apart.

Great barn, errrm, garage find by the way!
Robert.

Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum

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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by frenchfries » Thu Mar 29, 2018 11:15 am

dragonflyjewels wrote:
Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:11 am
Well done for rescuing that one James - a genuine 'barn find'
We are off to Glasgow on Tuesday and not back until Sunday so Al won't be able to help with the collection, but we can offer the use of a set of wheels with decent tyres from the pile of spares in our garage. Al will be in Thetford on Saturday if you want to meet up to collect them.
Bet all the rubbers are securely stuck to the windows and sun roof. Hairdryer or fan heater on the rubber to help soften it first, then try sliding a thin blade between so you can get some WD in (silicon spray is better but a nightmare on the paintwork) Not such an issue on the sunroof as it has sacrifical plastic struts which can be replaced from Shapeways - easy job with the aid of a video on youtube.
We have always found that electric motors that haven't been used for a long time 'go to sleep' - everyone poo poos this, but it's worked 100% of times for us with Al's huge collection of mechanical toys and recently worked on our 'junk' 480's window regulators. If you can get some WD inside the motor to clear the dust that helps, then just keep giving the motor a brief try on full power - eventually they start working again.
Good luck with it, hope we see it on one of the meets after its long hibernation.
"Al's huge collection of mechanical toys" :lol:

You can tell it is a holiday tomorrow :D
1993 Turbo auto called Skip for the important stuff
2011 Juke 190 for everything else

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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by Alan 480 » Thu Mar 29, 2018 11:39 am

if timing belt is removed fill with NEW oil (leave cam cover on) fit electric drill to the oil pump spindle.

do not move cam or crankshaft!!

and bob's your uncle , oil every where it should be,

if feeling REALLY brave do the above after you have the pistons half way down (ie with the crankshaft 1/4 turn) and then you can also rock the crankshaft & cam shaft while pumping oil, make temporary timing mark on crankcase for the crank-shaft and centre dab cam shaft at 180 'out' !
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

jifflemon
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jifflemon » Thu Mar 29, 2018 12:07 pm

I've got 4 wheels and tyres here if they're needed - Yours for free :)

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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by frenchfries » Thu Mar 29, 2018 1:19 pm

I picked up a trick recently. Cut the cam-belt lengthwise half way and remove it. place the new one and finally cut the old one off. No timing adjustment necessary.

Only applies if you are only changing the belt of course.
1993 Turbo auto called Skip for the important stuff
2011 Juke 190 for everything else

jifflemon
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jifflemon » Thu Mar 29, 2018 4:20 pm

This worries me....

Image

The rot at A looks like its letting water in and caused the screen to delaminate at B :cryhard:

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WRDendy
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by WRDendy » Fri Mar 30, 2018 4:55 pm

This is rather exciting - I have a soft spot for the early cars so it's nice to see that this one has been found and will be saved. Let's hope that Jeff's doom-mongering is nothing that a new windscreen and a bit of metalwork can't fix!

I'm using up holiday days next week so I'd be happy to lend a hand if you need one since Redditch isn't excessively far from Oxford - not sure how much use I'd be beyond a bit of extra muscle, but I can bring a large socket set and an even larger collection of swear words, if either of those things are any use.
Formerly known as 'Jaster'
Current: '94 GT & '88 ES
Former: '89 ES

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jamescarruthers
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Fri Mar 30, 2018 8:00 pm


I haven't got everything in place but I think I'm going to pop to Lake's on Monday and going to go and get it mobile (rolling) on Tuesday‎. Extra muscle appreciated of course.

I'm ashamed to say I didn't notice the delamination and had the little bit of rust at the top of the screen on the right and the crack on the left as unrelated. They are clearly related to corrosion! Screen will need replaced for MOT so I guess I'll have to have a look and see how it goes‎
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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dragonflyjewels
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Location: Norfolk

Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by dragonflyjewels » Fri Mar 30, 2018 9:26 pm

Do get the corrosion sorted while the screen is out, otherwise the new one will crack in the same place, just like mine did.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

User avatar
jamescarruthers
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Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jamescarruthers » Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:27 pm

Still haven't told my wife!
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

jifflemon
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Re: 1987 480 ES Project -- D-reg, 2nd oldest in UK

Post by jifflemon » Fri Mar 30, 2018 11:17 pm

Just some tips for the engine:

1) Start it WAY before chaning anything - No point changing everything to find out its goosed.
2) Plugs out, lubricating oil dow the plug holes (WD40, 3-in-1, engine oil)
3) Turn over by hand - VERY slowly, forwards and backwards in small increments
4) Assuming nothing dramtic, more oil, then disconnect coil and fuel, crank on starter (have a fresh and decent battery!)
5) Once we've oil pressure, check fuel levels. It's going to need draining, but depending on level, you may be able to add fresh fuel to get it going.
6) Finally, once oil pressure and fuel sorted, reconnect ignition.

NOW.... Removing it from the garage.

Frankly, drag the thing out. If it's hard against the wall, you'll struggle to change the wheels. Just be carefull where you're going to attach a rope; Front crossmember would be an obvious choice. Don't rely on the towing eye, given that the front bumper beam can rot just as well as the rear one! Just winch the damn thing onto a trailer.
On the way home, stop at a jet wash and give a thorough blasting. (makes it *slightly* more wife appealing)

Once home and in the comfort of your own driveway, start the above.

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