I rescued a 1991 Volvo 240 with over 200k miles on it from the wrecking yard fate. I paid 800 bucks for it and it was in rough shape...it barely drove and the transmission was leaking like hell. I drove it over to my shop which I co-own with three other guys. We bought a 8000lbs lift so we dont have to crawl on the floor. That makes it so much easier to work on cars. Basically we are 95% fully equipped with tools and stuff....If you are local to Albuquerque or Los Lunas you are welcome to visit. Lets get back on track.....so once the I got the 240 to my shop I started cleaning it our because the engine bay was oily and cruddy. I removed the engine harness since it was one of the original ones made with soybean oil etc....which also was compromised and shortening out. I order a brand new one at Dave Bartons. Its pricey but worth its money the car runs so much better now. I also replaced all sensors, switches and hoses including the oil separator box, cleaned the intake and throttle body, replaced the serpentine belts and timing belt, installed new O2 Sensor, brakes, bearings, shocks, bushings, tie rod ends etc. Basically the entire under carriage is new.
Next on my list are the tail light and head light harnesses, replacing the fuse-box with the Scandex one to use bridge fuses then I should be ready for getting it smogged and registered so I finally can drive that puppy...it's now over a year since I purchased it. The remaining tasks after that is purely cosmetic...If you like I can share some pictures.