Just a follow up to my previous post..I now have the mechanic's note that cylinders 2 & 3 have zero compression caused by a bad head gasket at least.That's how I got the car for free. I spent most of my chrismas day just fiddling w/ it and this I noticed. All four plugs have a gasoline odor.Numbers 2 & 3 have the strongest unburnt gas smell.Did not have replacement parts so plugs were cleaned and reinstalled.In searched for vacuum leaks I found several holes underneath the air intake hose( after airmass meter to intake).Had the hose wrapped in duct tape for now.Also flame trap hose was disconnected.The AIR MASS METER IS A BIG SUSPECT TO ME..I took it off and notice a small tear on the screen. Also, is there a "cross hair" in the middle of the AMM??? Could somebody pls. tell me how it's suppose to look inside the AMM..After the little fixings the car idle alot better and even improved as it got to operating temperatures. Before, it was shaking so bad I'm afraid the motor mounts would break. There is no power however, very noticeable when you put it in gear.
I have doubts about the blown gasket because it never got hot..i will be replacing the plug and plug wires and look for a good used AMM before I replace the head gasket..What do you think??
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ReySC.. '86 744 GLE (Daily Driver),94 944T 86 244 DL w/ Blown Head Gasket... http://groups.msn.com/Reysc/myvolvophotoalbum.msnw?Page=1

Before I changed the gasket I would make sure it was neccesary. Occasionally mechanics will say the first thing that comes to mind. However the idle with no power sounds like just 2 cyl running, hard to start etc... I guess if you have easy access to another head and don't mind sweating it, swap heads. I wouldn't mess with the AM until compression has been established. From my own adventures I can atetst to keep it simple, Ciao, Patrick.

The compression figures are a pretty good reason to believe it has a blown head gasket between 2 and 3. It's very possible. Furthermore it would suck to put the airflow meter in the car before you fixed the head gasket. The a/f meter can have a tear in the screen... usually someone rips it putting in a new air filter or something. The little wire inside the meter has to be there, though, or the meter won't work.
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Chris Herbst, in Wisconsin.

Have you ran your own compression test?

nope!! Xmas and no tools at my in laws..
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ReySC.. '86 744 GLE (Daily Driver),94 944T 86 244 DL w/ Blown Head Gasket... http://groups.msn.com/Reysc/myvolvophotoalbum.msnw?Page=1