Well, yesterday afternoon the rain went away and I installed the rebuilt head ... touched up the engine paint on the old block and cranked her up. The exhaust note is much crisper and steadier ... guess valves that actually seal help that ... so away I went on a shakedown cruise .... left the air cleaners off for the time being ... first thing I noticed is that in order for the engine to pull strongly at upper revs I have to pull the choke on .... guess I will have to change those air filters .... and richen the carbs .... such is life ... HOWEVER when I came off the highway and was slowing down the exit ramp what do you suppose appeared behind me but that big nasty blue cloud again .... HMMMMMMMMMMMM. Guess we know what THAT means ...... Next summer's project is going to be the bottom end of the engine ..... Grrrrrrrrr. What I have noticed is that if the engine is sitting running at about 2000 - 2500 rpm, that light trail of blue with occasional puffs is no longer evident ... so looks like we are half way there .

Wednesday night is the East Coast Vintage Volvo Club's get together at "The Chickenburger" in Bedford .(www.thechickenburger.com). just outside of Metro Halifax .... we meet there 1st and 3rd Wednesday evening of the month at 7 pm in case you are in the area ... just after the local Mustang Club .... Guess I'm going to get some "I told you so's" from a couple of members who said it would take more than a head job to solve the problem ... SIGH .... Oh Well ... I'm one step closer ...

BTW after all our discussions here on the right lube for the M41 and J type ... I had the tranny drained of the Type F ATF and refilled with 15W40 .... The ATF came out of the tranny in exactly the same clear red condition that it went in ... I must say I WAS impressed .... the tranny now shifts much smoother and the J type reacts much quicker both turning on and turning off than it has since I got the car .... And .. I was able to reconnect the OD lockout that had been bypassed for several years .... now I don't have to worry about whether I shut it down or not when leaving an intersection .

Thursday Ole Reliable heads for the Body Shop ..... New trunk lid and rear valence .... hope my bumper is ready for reinstallation .... two NOS front fenders and she will be almost as good as new .... so far it's been a busy summer ... but we're making progress ....

"Old VOLVOs Never Die ...... They Just become "COOL""

--
Brett Sutherland & the 1.5 million mile 122 Canadian