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I'm a B18 kind of guy, but when the opportunity to purchase a survivor 1959 PV with a B16 came along 2 years ago I couldn't resist it. We love the car although it is rather anemic compared to the full race B18 in the race car. The '59 started to backfire after shutoff which we eventually narrowed down to leaking valves by doing a compression check. #1 was 85lbs. #2,3,,4 135 lbs. Put 100 lbs. of air to #1 and could hear it coming out the exhaust pipe. Pulled the head and sure enough, all the seats were gone. Had hardened seats put in and splurged on all new valves, springs and retainers. Bolted the refurbished head back on in the proper order and to the proper torque (60lbs.) with a new copper gasket and the copper spray gasket sealer. I was looking forward to a long shakedown cruise in the country. What I got was an engine that never even hinted at starting. After performing the usual diagnostics to no avail. I did another compression check. Numbers 1 & 2 showed 15 lbs.; 3 & 4 25 lbs.
Pulled the head again and looked around without success. Buttoned everything up again with another new gasket and put 100 lbs. to #1 without installing the rocker assembly - air comes through the pushrods holes like crazy. Same with 2,3,4. I did get some water/coolant in the cylinders when I originally tore it apart. Car has been sitting for about 4 months in the race car shop with block covered due to parts unavailability. Engine spins over fine. Could it be that all four sets of rings froze up due to the water? Anybody have any other ideas? I sprayed P blaster in each of the cylinders to see if that will make any difference and will retry as soon as I get a chance. I need to get the '59 out of the way so I can get the race car ready for our first race at Summit Point. PS - there will be an all Volvo Vintage race at Virginia International Raceway first week in July. Volvo race cars will be coming in from all over the U.S. We are expecting 30 122's, P1800's, PV's and 142's. First one to solve my puzzle gets a pit pass, my wife's great cooking and all the Yingling s/he can drink.
Thanks,
John
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