Hello All:

1967 Volvo 122S wagon. I have spent the last two days reassembling my newly-machined head. B18D type III by the way. I have new exhaust valves, hardened exhaust valve seats, remachined intake valves, magnafluxed, glass beaded, the works. Also had .010" shaved.

Put on the new head gasket including new crush gaskets for the water pump, 65 lb/ft torqued in the proper order. New manifold gasket, all nuts torqued tight, set valve lash at .016" cold, fresh coolant. New valve cover gasket, all screws torqued snugly. Various choke cables, alternator bracket, temp sensor, rear heater hose, etc. all reattached. Everything looks great.

I checked the compression of each cylinder and got a bit concerned. Prior to this procedure, readings were 185, 165, 25, 185. Now I get 155, 125, 155, 155. Put the plugs back in, torqued to 30 lb/ft and started her up. After a few turns she fired and sounded great until I lowered the choke. I am hearing a very clear knocking sound, and also smoke is coming from the bottom of the engine.

I stopped the engine, checked the plugs to make sure I was firing 1-3-4-2 (distributor runs anti-clockwise, yes?) and restarted. Same thing.

Are my new valves hitting something? Is the .010 change in clearance requiring me to set a different valve lash? Why the smoking? I cannot drive Virginia and I obviously need to so any insights would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Jeff Pucillo