Volvo 1800 S User Manual

Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden

Reprinting permitted if source quoted

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 1(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

Introduction

The Volvo 1800 S is a two-door sports car. The car is a two-seater but there is space
for a further two passengers in the rear seat. The body is of integral construction so
there is no frame as such. The front and rear suspension, the engine and the
transmission are attached directly to the body. The body surface is cellulose applied
over a rust-protective primer.

The car is protected from theft by having the ignition switch and the ignition coil
connected through the medium of armored cable.

The instruments have been located on the instrument panel so that they are very
easy to see and in keeping with the sports character of the car: revolution counter,
temperature gauge for oil as well as water, loud tone horn, etc. The operation of the
various controls and adjusting instructions for the seats, etc are described in this
chapter in more detail.

Description

Engine

The engine is a four-cylinder, water-cooled gasoline engine with overhead valves.
The max output is 108 b.h.p (SAE), the compression ration 10:1 and the capacity

1.78 litres (108.6 cu.in)

Fuel system

The engine is fitted with twin 1 ¾” SU horizontal carburettors. The fuel is fed from the
tank to the carburettors by a fuel pump driven by a cam on the engine camshaft.
There is a fuel filter incorporated in the fuel pump and this filter traps any water and
other impurities in the fuel.

Lubricating system

Engine lubrication is taken care of by means of a gear pump, which sucks oil from
the oil pan on the lower part of the engine and forces it through the oil cleaner out to
all the lubricating points on the engine. The oil is cooled in an oil cooler, water from
the engine cooling system circulating through the mantle on the oil cooler,

Cooling system

The engine is water-cooled and has a pressure system. Cooling water circulation is
taken care of by a pump, which is fitted, on the fan shaft. A thermostat, which does
not open until the temperature reaches 76 oC (ca 170 oF) prevents the cooling water
from passing through the radiator before the engine has reached its normal operating
temperature.

Steering gear

The car is fitted with a cam and roller type steering gear. Movements of the steering
wheel are transmitted via the worm on the steering rod to the roller on the pitman arm
shaft, which, in its turn, influence the wheels through the medium of the steering
rods.

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 2(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

Brakes

The car is fitted with two independent brake systems, a foot brake system and a
hand brake system.

Hand brake system

This is mechanical and only influences the brakes on the rear wheels. Movement of
the hand brake lever is transmitted through a series of pull rod and cables to the rear
wheel brake levers which then apply the brakes.

Foot brake system

This is hydraulic and influences all four wheels. The hydraulic system consists of a
master cylinder filled with brake fluid which, when the brake pedal is depressed,
transfers the brake pressure through the fluid in the line to a further brake cylinder
which further increases the pressure before in continues to the brake cylinder at the
wheels. The plungers in these wheel cylinders are pressed outwards and the brakes
are applied.
The front wheel brakes are of the disc type and the rear wheel brakes of the drum
type.

Wheels and tires

The car is fitted with pressed steel wheels with hubcaps. All the wheels are carefully
balanced. The tires are the braced tread type with inner tubes specially designed for
the stresses occurring at high speed. The tire size is 165x15.

Electrical system

The electrical system has a voltage of 12 volts and is fitted with a voltage control
generator. The starter motor is operated from the instrument panel through the
ignition key. The key is also used to switch on the other electrical equipment. The
cables to the headlights, parking lights and internal lighting, however, are not
connected over the ignition key switch but can be used independently of the ignition
key

Lighting

Lighting on the front of the car consists of the headlights with full and dimmed beams
as well as the combined lamps for directional signal flashes and the parking lights.

Lighting at the rear consists of combined lamps for the directional signals and the
taillights and the brake warning lights. There are also two lamps for rear license plate
lighting

Internal lighting consists of two lamps located at the rear side pillars. There are bulbs
for indirect instrument lighting. For bulb replacement se page 24

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 3(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

Fuses

The electrical equipment is protected by means of three 35 A fuses, located in fuse
boxes on the left-hand wheel housing.

1 Flasher and parking light
left
2 Headlight, left
3 Horn
4 Loud tone horn
5 Headlight right
6 Flasher and parking light
right
7 Relay for headlight
signalling
8 Horn relay
9 Distributor
10 Generator
11 Charging relay
12 Foot dimmer switch
13 Horn button
14 Lever for loud tone
horn
15 Ignition coil
16 Starter motor
17 Battery
18 Directional signal
switch
19 Flasher devise,
directional signals
20 Revolution counter
sender

21 Fuses
22 Revolution counter
23 Fuel gauge
24 Clock
25 Brake switch
26 Instrument lighting
27 Instrument lighting
28 Instrument lighting
29 Windshield washers
30 Windshield wipers
31 Warning lamp,
charging
32 Warning lamp
directional signals
33 Warning lamp, full
headlights
34 Heater
35 Switch, map-reading
lamp
36 Instrument lighting
37 Instrument lighting
38 Instrument lighting
39 Controls for windshield
washers and windshield
wipers
40 Lighting switch
41 Ignition switch

42 Heater controls
43 Cigarette lighter
44 Map-reading lamp
45 Door switch
46 Switch for roof lamp
47 Door switch
48 Roof lamp
50 Tail light, left
51 Fuel gauge sender
52 License plate lighting
53 Tail gate, right

A=White
B=Black
C=Blue
D=Green
E=Light green
F=Yellow
G=Brown
H=Red
I=Purple

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 4(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 5(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

Body

Hood

The hood is fitted with a locking device,
which is operated from the driving seat
by means of a handle to the left under
the instrument panel. This releases the
hood, which can then be lifted up after
the handled has been moved forward
and downward.

The hood remains in its lifted position by
means of a stay, which is automatically
locked by a built-in catch, when the hood
is lifted all the way up. When the hood is
to be lowered again, the catch sleeve is
moved upward at the same time as the
hood is lifted to it’s outer position and
then lowered.

Doors and locks

The car is fitted with key locks for both
doors, the luggage compartment and the
fuel tank cap. Before the doors can be
opened, the button in the door handle
must be pressed in. The doors can be
locked from the inside by moving the
handle forward as shown in the
illustration. To open the door, move the
handle to the rear.
If you happen to loose your keys, contact
your nearest who dealer who will supply
you with new keys if you inform them of
the code number that was on the missing
keys.

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 6(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

Safety belts

Standard equipment on this vehicle
includes safety belts for both the front
seats. Make a habit of fitting the belts as
soon as you get into the car. The length
of each belt can be easily adjusted by
means of the part attached to the floor.
Adjust the length of the belt very
carefully. It should not be to tight, but on
the other hand, should not be to loose
since it will then not function properly.

The belt is taken down from the button
on which it hangs by pressing in the
spring-loaded handle in the slot. The belt
is then fitted with one part round the
waist and the other part over the
shoulder and the breast and it is then
clipped into position on the fitting
between the seats. To remove the belt,
press in the spring-loaded handle in the
slot.
Check now and then that the bolts
retaining the belt are well tightened. If the
belts have become dirty they can be
cleaned with water and synthetic
detergent.

Adjusting the seats

The front seats can be adjusted
backwards and forwards after the handle
on the adjuster rail has been moved to
one side. Exert pressure with your feet
on the floor and move the seat to the
most comfortable position. The angle of
the backrest can be adjusted by means
of the screw at the bottom behind the
seat.

Instruments and operating controls

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 7(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

1. Control for windshield
wipers and windshield
washers

2. Oil pressure gauge

3. Temperature gauge
for cooling water

4. Temperature gauge
for engine oil

5. Revolution counter

6. Warning lamp for
charging

7. Choke control

8. Ignition switch with
built in starter

9. Control for direct

10. Fan controls

11. Heater and ventilation
controls

12. Lighting switch

13. Zero setting control for
trip meter

14. Directional signal
switch with built
headlight flasher

15. Overdrive switch

16. Switch for inner
lighting

17. Trip meter

18. Speedometer

19. Mileometer

20. Fuel gauge

21. Clock

22. Recess for radio

23. Switch for map reading
lamp

24. Hood catch

25. Warning lamp for
directional signals

26. Warning lamp for full
headlights

27. Warning lamp for
overdrive

28. Lever for loud tone
horn

29. Cigarette lighter

ventilation

1 Control for windshield wipers and windshield washers

The windshield wipers are electrical and can be set to two speeds by pulling out the
control. If pulled out to the first notch, the wipers run at half speed, and if pulled out
two notches, they run at full speed. When the control is pushed in the whole way, the
windshield wipers automatically stop in their parked position.

Turning the control nob in a clockwise direction operates the windshield washers.
The windshield washers can be used even when the windshield wipers are switched
off. The fluid container for the windshield washers is located under the hood and
contains about one litre.
Never let the windshield wipers run on a dry and dusty surface since this can easily
scratch the glass.

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 8(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

2 Oil pressure gauge

The oil pressure is dependent on the temperature of the oil and the engine speed.
Since the engine is fitted with an oil cooler, there can be some slight delay before the
oil pressure gauge gives a reading. If the engine is cold, it will show relatively high
pressure, which is normal. If the pressure should at any point go down to zero, the
engine must be stopped immediately and the reason determined. See under “driving”
page 13 &15

3 Temperature gauge for cooling water

The temperature gauge shows the temperature of the cooling water and thus the
working temperature of the engine. The temperature should normally be 70-90C
(158-196F). If it should indicate a high temperature for a long time, this can depend
upon the fact that the cooling system channels are blocked and are preventing
circulation or that the thermostat has been damaged. In such cases the cooling
system should be cleaned (see 21) or the thermostat should be replaced.

4 Temperature gauge for engine oil

The oil temperature is a function of the engine speed and can vary quite
considerably. Temperatures above 130C (265F), however, should not be permitted.

5 Revolution counter

The revolution counter shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute. The
indicator should not go up as far as the red field on the instrument.

6 Warning lamp for charging

The lamp lights up when the battery is discharging which is normal at idling speed. If
you accelerate a little, the lamp should go out. Should the lamp remain on while you
are driving, this usually means that there is some fault in the electrical system or that
the fan belt is insufficiently tensioned and is slipping on the generator pulley. The
result of this will be poor charging.

7 Choke control

To use the choke control pull it out
vertically (A) and lock it by turning it
quarter of a turn (B). To return the
control, twist it back to its vertical
position. When the engine is thoroughly
warmed up the choke control should be
all the way in. See under “Driving”, page
13

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 9(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

8 Ignition switch with built in starter

1 Radio position. In this position all the
electrical equipment in the car can be
used without having the engine running.
2 Neutral position
3 Running position
4 Starting position. To start the engine
turn the key to this position and the
starter motor will be cut in. As soon as
the engine starts release the key which
will then return to position 3.

9 Control for direct ventilation

There are two scuttles for direct
ventilation, one on the right side and one
on the left side. These are controlled by
means of the knob which is pulled out to
position 1.

10 Fan control

The fan control has three positions. In
position 1 the fan is switched off, in
position 2 it runs at full output and in
position 3 it runs at half output. The
temperature and the distribution of air are
controlled by means of the fan control.

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 10(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg

11 Heater and ventilation controls

The heater and ventilation system is
controlled by means of three levers.
“AIR” = Stream of air inside the car
“DEFR” = Air to the windshield
“TEMP” = Control for the temperature of
the incoming air.
The controls are closed in their upper
position and fully open in their lower
position.
The fan can then be used to increase the
flow of cold or warm air. The heater is
connected to the engine cooling system
and also to a thermostat which maintains
a constant temperature.

When the “Temp” control is altered, there will be a slight delay before the thermostat
in the heater has stabilised itself at the desired temperature. In very cold weather,
particularly if the car is full of passengers, there can be misting on the windows. The
best way to get rid of this or to avoid it is to have the ventilator window fully or
partially open at the same time as the fan motor is running at full output and the
defroster control in its fully open position.

12 Lighting switch
HEADLIGHTS

The headlights on the car are operated
by means of a pull control on the
instrument panel as well as by a foot
dimmer switch to the left on the floor
plate.
Position 0 = Off
Position 1 = Parking lights
Position 2 = Full or dimmed headlights
depending on position of the foot dimmer
switch.
The headlights are switched from full to
dimmed and visa versa by depressing
the foot dimmer switch.

INSTRUMENT LIGHTING

Turning the headlight switch knob can regulate the intensity of the instrument lighting.
The further the knob is turned in a clockwise direction, the stronger the instrument
lighting will be.

13 Zero-setting control for trip meter

The trip meter is set to zero by pressing up the button and turning it

Source – Volvo AB, Göteborg, Sweden page 11(35)
Reprint 2001 Karl Eric Målberg