Thanks for the reply. This guy is well known in the area as the machine shop to go to. It was the retailer who scratched the head up.

The head was allowed to over-heat by PO; to the point that that the rear timing cover melted. The head was warped .010. The block is still good.

My green books says a max allow. machining to be .0197.

How will I need to re-adjust my timing? Do I need an adjust. cam gear or just get a good donor head and be done with it? Is the compression on the shaved head too high causing pre-detonation?

The scratches cross the steel ring area of the head-gasket and will allow blow by if not fixed.

I might try to find a good donor and have them do the work for free to replace the scratched head. In the meantime this car is down. Good thing we have five other RWD Volvos.

This car has been a real PITA. I basically saved her from an abusive owner. The body is in good shape/great paint but maintenance was poor and minimal after 90K. Dealer serviced until then.

She's the 745Ti I always wanted. Silver with black hounds-tooth interior, B230FT, M46, power sunroof and mirrors, ABS, SRS and no rust or clear-coat peeling!

I already replaced the front suspension bushings, front rotors/pads, rear rotors/pads, shocks/struts, 1 broken caliper, new tires(actually they're from my totaled 244GL), 2.5" high-flow exhaust, all new engine/turbo seals and a bunch of other things I'm forgetting.

Up to now I only have about $1200 invested in her including buying her. I plan on getting another decade and 200K miles on her before any major work will need to be done.

BTW: I Miss My '88 244GL!! May she live on in others.