Engine 850: B5234TR/2.3/20v/T5R: 850R warped head

[br850]

You can generally skimm say 10-15 thousands of an inch off a cylinder head before you have to worry about increasing the compression ratio too much. Beyond that and you get into issues about valves getting too close to pistons.
One answer is to recess the valves a bit deeper but then you end up grinding the stem to get the valve clearances back. Its a lot of hassle and time and expense
Triumph Stag v8's were bastards for warping heads and with them if you took too much off the heads the inlet manifold wouldn't fit anymore. Using 2 head gaskets was tried for a while until they brought out a special double thickness gasket.
The gaskets were so expensive though it was easier in the long run to put a Rover V8 in the car.

Do any on the tuning houses do multi layered gaskets where you peel layers away until you get the right compression ratio?
Just a thought but probably expensive anyway.

Good luck with the fix.

[volvot5turbo]

Thanks for that. The fix is being done by CNH Autos in Pershore. Chris is a fully trained Volvo mechanic who branched out on his own and has set up a very respected and trusted service. Just hope he can perform miracles with this one at not too much of an expense for me.

Just had a £7,000 job offer increase today and somebody up there has found a way for it to be spent..........I love Volvo's and to own an 850R to me is a dream - by that I mean no matter the cost, this is one car that will not be going to the scrapper.........

Will see what they say tomorrow but I have my eye on a couple of heads.....

[strbryan]

Why not get a second hand engine?£350 is the norm from any good Volvo breaker.

01254 234382 Adam is a very good bloke who brakes Volvo's and he also will courier the engine if need be.