Volvo 140 electric fan install

Occasionally I have seen questions on forums or heard folks ask about converting a B20 to electric fan, and now that I have done it on my own car, I'll share my experience for all the DIY-ers.

To begin with, the first thing I did wrong was to get too small of a fan---a 12-incher---which is about the size of the stock pulley fan. What I didn't take into account was the blade width and pitch, which is significantly reduced on the electric fan. It just couldn't keep things cool when the outside temp rose above 75 degrees. Some more careful measuring revealed that Summit Racing's largest economy fan (16") would fit just perfectly in the space between the front of the radiator and the grill. It is certainly worth getting the biggest fan that will fit---after all, overheating is as damaging to your engine as it is frustrating. With right fan this time, the installation was very simple, and wiring was a straightforward relay with a Flex-A-Lite radiator probe (also from Summit) to give power to the relay, adjustable between 160 and 220 degrees. Everything has been working great, just as well as the stock setup, even in 100+ degree SoCal summer weather (ugh). I recommend the swap: a bit more HP, gas mileage and super-clean engine bay. E-mail me if you want to know more about this project.

(For those of you sharp enough to notice that the temp sensor is bypassed in the photo, the switch broke, and I am waiting for a new one---don't why it quit, just a dud I guess---and in the meantime, the car's gotta stay cool!)

Wheels for Faye Valentine

At long last I have acquired an unnecessary but much dreamed-of upgrade for the 142: those awesome 10-spoke Sirius wheels came stock on some 740 Turbos. Ever since I saw a picture of a blue-and-white 145 wearing a black set of these on OVTuners a while back (I posted a picture of it on Vintagebrick in February), I have been daydreaming of installing some on Faye. They haven't been impossible to find, but a bit expensive when I have seen them---even when I found some really dirty ones at the local Pick-A-Part. So they remained one of those 'someday' hopefuls that occasionally sooth me to sleep when I have insomnia.

With that preamble, I have been at home for the past few days with AC and our new baby boy, Charles Daniel. While out on a ride on my fixed gear Trek this morning I stopped by a crummy old Volvo repair and sales shop called 'Gabriel's Imports' that must have looked exactly as it does today in 1976. I had caught sight of a junker 740 on blocks with a full set of the wheels of my desire in the back of this place, so investigation was clearly necessary. After some haggling, a trip the bank, and a quick car-for-bike swap at home, I was driving home with them nestled beside my dual 12" Rockford-Fosgates---for a great price too---and as an added bonus, the tires are almost new! (Well two are, and other two are about half). The wheels are in need of a good cleaning of course, but they are in great condition, without any curb rash or corrosion. I haven't decided whether I will paint them black as I originally intended...they look pretty as they are, but I'm sill torn. The old guy who owned the place I bought them from threw in an old grill for free (which you can see in the picture), because as far as he is concerned the 140 series is dead, and he could care less about old parts.