Shannon is right. It could be the timing belt being off one notch. Also, over the years, I've learned that other gremlins may pop up coincidentally. I would do the usual tune-up stuff: new air filter, new distributor rotor and cap, new spark plug wires, new spark plugs. I hesitate about a new fuel filter because that is a bitch to replace if it's underneath the car.

was the Ground straps from the Valve cover to the Firewall put backon after doing the Head Gasket?
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm

Howdy chudar,

If at all possible I would take the car from that shop. Any business that sits on a repair for two months does not need my patronage. Regardless of what the problem is the shop should have had it diagnosed and requested authorization to repair in a day; certainly no more than two days. That's your call, of course. It just seems to me something isn't right at that shop.

My guess is that the problem was inserted when the head gasket was renewed. Possible faults: Timing is off one tooth on the belt? Massive air leak? Stuck valve? Burned cam? Improper grounding?

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Mr. Shannon DeWolfe -- I've taken to using mister because my name misleads folks on the WWW. I am a 53 year old fat man. ;-)