When the 421 Pontiac engine was introduced around 1960 an automotive writer said that the Volvo 4-cylinder engine had more main bearing surface area than this not Pontiac engine. Could it be that Volvo engines are built like a tank?
Irv Gordon's Volvo Closing In On 3,000,000 Miles
- Thread starter Jethro
- Start date
- Status
NPR's "Car Talk" show (when it wasn't a comedy routine) around 1985. I heard it directly from the man's mouth.
I won't say he's been through "many" engines, but I will say at least a couple. He has also had several rebuilds. I don't know what's he done with it since the mid-80s.
Of course, you can ask him directly, as he does post over on Swedespeed from time to time.
My take - being in the Volvo community for 15+ years - Irv had replaced (for him) the crank bearings once or twice (from below), but indeed hasn't had the head off as he says in his post. That's why I took umbrage to the "been through many engines" comment.
I stand by my recollection. And I have no reason to doubt yours. Usually, the truth is somewhere in the middle when that happens.
It's obvious that Irv's story has changed over the years. I'll let others speculate on the reasons for that.
Perhaps Irv will respond to polite inquiry and clarify the matter.
It's obvious that Irv's story has changed over the years. I'll let others speculate on the reasons for that.
Perhaps Irv will respond to polite inquiry and clarify the matter.
The amount of miles driven and the emissions that vehicle puts out (compared to vehicles from today) can hardly be considered environmentally friendly. If there was some way to do it, it would be interesting to see where chassis metal fatigue is at a dangerous level in that Volvo.
Some people (like reporters / writers) might not know the difference between a rebuild and a replacement.
I too am wondering just what this guy needs to be driving so much for...and at that kind of mileage, I'm not sure he need to really consider "cold start" issues.
With that kind of mileage I wonder just what might be missing to call it commercial use? He might as well be doing door to door sales!
I digress.
Things are working out for him...and his volvo...that's nice.
Take care everyone, and please consolidate your trips.
With that kind of mileage I wonder just what might be missing to call it commercial use? He might as well be doing door to door sales!
I digress.
Things are working out for him...and his volvo...that's nice.
Take care everyone, and please consolidate your trips.
It's a small car with a four cylinder, albeit a carburated pushrod four cylinder, but it's not like he's driving around in a SUV or a diesel big rig. He's also doing mostly highway driving and not sitting around idling. I think a big rig with 300,000 miles on it is easily a bigger polluter than this little Volvo. Last time I checked, this is the only extreme mileage Volvo car, but there are tons of Volvo trucks (and other makes of trucks).
I think this guy has gone though 3 engines.
The current Mercedes-Benz High Mileage champ is Gregorios Sachinidis, a Greek taxi driver who holds the known record of more than 2.8 million miles in his 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D.
The current Mercedes-Benz High Mileage champ is Gregorios Sachinidis, a Greek taxi driver who holds the known record of more than 2.8 million miles in his 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D.
Gregorios Sachinidis gave his car back to Daimler-Benz, so he is not continuing to break his record:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/5040929.001/proverbial-longevity-in-4.6-million-kilometers
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
