Damian,

I've followed your posts regarding the restoration frustration. Sounds like you've had more patience than most. I'm thinking of your bodywork saga.

If you follow the normal break in routine regarding fluid changes and just keep an eye on the smoke issue I think you will settle down.

Is this your main transportation? If not then maybe it might be good to park it for a few days and let the Volvo become your friend again.

You can get a leak-down tester for $50 from Harbor Freight if that might help with the diagnostics if you need to know. What about the person that did the rebuild? Any input there?

If your mechanic is Shayne from IPD then you definitely have a resource with good experience.

Sounds like mostly you have hit a wall regarding the restoration. It can be very rewarding bringing a beautiful old car back to life but very frustrating as well when they don't cooperate. My Volvo sat under a tarp for about a year while I focused on other things; and it was running fine. It was just getting "buggier" as in more and more little issues kept popping up, so I decided to do it and myself a favor and pull it from road service. I'm excited to work on it again...but just bought a 130 year old house so we'll see how that goes.

For the record, my vote is for something with the valve seals or guides. Top end and much easier to rectify. I had an old Mazda pickup that would puff white smoke at startup only during certain weather conditions and only in the morning. Ran like a champ and still is chugging for another owner.

Never became an issue in 50,000 miles I owned it or the three years of the new owner.

good luck,

Mario E.
Lawrence, KS