Volvo Amazon - few questions compression and driving style
 

Hi All,

Just a few questions for more experience Amazon drivers out there.

I've carried out a few compression readings on my car (standard twin carb B18 donk from a 122s), I seem to get the highest numbers when I've got the car battery connected to another running car battery with jump cables, results are between 135-140psi all cylinders. Adding oil into cylinders pushed these up to around 150psi. These results are on a warm engine, throttle wide open etc.,

Question is - are these figures reasonable for an older motor? Could the engine still have plenty of life/years left in here with these compression readings or does it go downhill a lot quicker once your motor is running lower compression?

Another question is on driving style, is it bad for the car/motor to be using most of the throttle/full throttle when driving around and revving it up higher between gear changes? I find if I baby it, shift early and only give it a quarter/half throttle she feels sluggish and slow compared with normal traffic. I'm used to old MG B series motors which have plenty of low end torque (but not much in the high end of the rev range).

Final question - is it normal to have some play in the steering wheel? I know these run a steering box, is there much adjustment with this or do I just put it down to wear/tear and just the way older cars were?

Thanks All, appreciate the help - will probably have more questions in the coming weeks as I get used to the Amazon :D

Your compression readings are all fairly even and don't come up much after adding a little oil. I'd say that is good. As far as higher readings with another battery, it makes sense, the engine is turning faster.

Most wear is when the motor is new, if it has been well maintained. You should have a lot of miles ahead of you. The thing I would look at is to see if it still has a fiber timing gear.

Mine seems to thrive on WOT applications. I have to pull out onto a busy highway in the morning and getting up to speed quickly keeps the dickheads in F150s from running up the exhaust pipe. It pulls great coming out of corners too.

Try adjusting the steering box. If that doesn't help look for loose parts. Actually, look for loose parts, wheel bearings etc. first.