George et al.-

As much of a fan of Volvo stuff as I am, I have to respectfully disagree with you on the blocks in the older cars. The design was more robust with the five bearing main and that gave the extented life. The material the blocks were cast from was nothing special. They are a standard grey iron with the only abnormality being slightly increased levels of Phosphorus and Sulfur. These two elements can lower the viscosity of molten metal. This would be common in casting engine blocks (lots of nooks and crannies) via non-pressureized sand casting.

I to, had 'heard' of the superior metal quality of the old blocks. One time when I had a destroyed b18 block, I took a chunk into the metallurgical department at work. They were curious as well and I think they did a full 12 element analysis of the block down to hundreds of a percent in one of the gas spectrometers. I have the full chemistry report at home if you want me to dig it out...

But reguardless, I love my Volvo...

Chris