High Mileage 242 GT ?

[Blt2Lst]

I am looking to buy a 1980 242GT with 245k but otherwise in excellent condition.
My question is, how many more miles can one expect to get out of the engine assuming it runs good now.
It's had a head gasket and timing belt recently also.
I am not really familiar with volvos but the car does have a 4 cycl not sure which one and a 4 sp trans?
For all i know, 245k is low mileage..
Would like to hear from any high mileage volvo owners.

Thanks

Al

[jsinton]

These cars have the older 2.1 L engine. It's a good engine, except that the fuel injection sometimes goes south. A GT I think is turbo charged, which could be bad if they didn't change the oil on time. Any 1980 car with 245,000 miles is impossible to predict just what will go wrong. It's up to you to determine if it's running good. That said, an old Volvo is probably tops to withstand the years and mileage. I wouldn't buy it unless I looked it over real good and drove it first, I wouldn't just buy it on a lark from EBay. I would be wondering why it needed a head gasket. Did the timing belt break and toast the valves? If so, I probably wouldn't buy it. Again, it's up to you.

[Blt2Lst]

Thanks for the reply.
I did buy this car and have been driving it for 2 weeks now.
It does have the B21 engine (non turbo) and M46 4sp trans.
It seems to be in excellent condition and is a solid california car.
It drives good and the suspension is tight.
I am a mechanic but for the most part not familiar with volvos.
The only thing as you pointed out, is the fuel injection system.
If there is a problem, I might have a problem troubleshooting, but for now all seems ok there.
The only problem it seems to have is a rough idle when the car is cold. It seems to smooth out when warm but is still not totally smooth.
The previous owner gave me all the service records since 1983.
Recently, the car had new:
timing belt
head gasket
fuel injectors
cleaned out intake manifold and new gasket
fuel pump and relay
complete tune up
lapped valves and seals
The previous owner was really anal about maintenance (a good thing for me).

The car also passed calif smog.

I suspect maybe a vaccum leak or maybe dirty EGR valve?
Anything else that might cause rough idle?
Thanks again for any suggestions.

Al

[jsinton]

I wouldn't worry too much about the thing not idling well. They never did, even when new. As long as you get warm fuzzies going 80mph. Good luck!