Really appreciated your responses from my earlier post on gas tank "whoosh" and brake warning light. I have had time to take a closer look at the 1977 244 bought by son-in-law on Ebay. Three more quesstions:

1. The car has a serious rust issue at base of windshield. After way more rust repair experience than I had hoped for on my 444 project, I expect I can fix this well enough for our purposes (POR15, West System Epoxy, etc.). I have the windshield out. The metal clips that hold the chrome trim are mostly rusted away along the bottom. I see how they are installed and suspect they can be replaced. But after some archive checking I am thinking a late model windshield may be a better solution (also, the glass has started to cloud a bit on the 1977). My impression from the archives is that the late model windshield comes with a rubber gasket and integral black trim and if I remove the old clips I can use the new windshield but with black instead of chrome trim. Is that correct? Would I need any extra parts? If I am OK with loosing the chrome any reason not to do this?

2. When the son-in-law brought the car over, the drivers side carpet was soaked in antifreeze. After some interior panel removing it appears that the heater valve is the source of the leak. I see a $160 valve at IPD that looks like the one in the car and a $40 Scantech valve at FCP Groton that evidently can be used instead. I have read in the archives Mike Tatra's great description of installing the Scantech valve. Is there a major advantage with the old style valve that would make it worth the extra $$?

3. I'm wondering about shocks. They need to be changed. This car is going to be an around town driver for my daughter and soon to be newly licensed grandson. I see KYB and Sach shocks at FCP Groton. I wonder if Sach would be worth the extra $$ (not that many $...but still...). Any KYB user reports out there?

Thanks for your help. I'm enjoying learning about this new-fangled, high tech 1977. Volvos changed quite a bit 1958-77.

Keith W.
444 Project, Moline, IL