Greetings

I pulled the head on my '81 B21F because I was loosing coolant into #3 cylinder. I also found #1 exhaust valve cracked. So I called around hoping to find a rebuilt head in stock somewhere so I could make it a 1 day job. Could find only one, at a Independent Volvo shop. I described the head in response to questions I was asked, and was told I had an MPG head, though my car uses Bosch ignition. I was quoted a price of $1800 rebuilt! but he would give me a deal and sell it for $800. Said it was a very rare bird, only made one year, etc.

I didn't go for it, but this raises a question. My cylinder head has 4 sensors plus the water outlet all on the intake side. According to this shop, this makes it an MPG head. Is this true? Someone could have put this head on this car somewhere along the line? If it's not the original head, wouldn't some additional wiring and a different computer be put in as well?

What's up?

Thanks for enlightenment

Scott

I agree with the others. $800.00 is crazy unless it's gold plated and $1800.00 is stealing! Look around, and call some Machine Shops for labor costs.
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john,,1985, 245:Ti, 251k mi..so.california

I agree with vvpete - if you are certain that your head is bad, get a junkyard head (with a guarantee that it's not cracked or warped badly) and have it rebuilt by a good shop. I'd say that leaves out the shop that said they were doing you a favor at $800.

I had my son's B21F head rebuilt after discovering a stripped plug hole not long after purchasing the car. A specialist cyl. head shop did a great job - including welding up and rethreading the plug hole so nicely that you cannot tell there was ever a problem. The head's deck was skimmed .010 for flatness, three-angle valve job, all new seals, etc. etc. Valve clearances were all set at the maximum allowance of .018 and they tightened up a little after 1000mi. The point is that this was an expert shop. They charged $250.
(Central Coast Cylinder Heads, Atascadero, CA)
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Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-944 B230FD; plus grocery-getter Dodge minivan, MGB, and numerous old motorcycles)

If you have the Bosch ign, any head from '79 to ~'83 will work. Even if the ign is Chrysler, the port for the extra sensor is usually there, but plugged. You should find a used head for about $100 and re-build it. I think even Volvo heads are cheaper than that, it's a load of C**p!
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'89 245 Sportwagon, '96 960 sedan

my car is an 1982 244 Dl mpg model. It has the white chrysler ignition. I beleive it's the white chrylser cap that makes it an mpg model. Your year corresponds because these were made in early 80's late 70's i believe.

If you need any help corresponding parts..i'm here...

otherwise i am not really sure...

good luck