I ordered a manual for this car. Funny thing is I can't find any specifications that describe the alloy block. Assuming it's aluminum, does it has cast iron inserts for the cylinder walls? Wouldn't an aluminium alloy block NEED TO HAVE steel or cast iron sleeves?
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I'm stuck on Volvo and Volvo's stuck on me....

Aluminum doesn't do well with steel rings :) The Chevy Vega proved that!

Klaus
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Please answer, we need to know if the advice is good or bad. The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are 2 turbos :)

"The grey iron cylinders are cast-in during the high-pressure die-cast process of the cylinder block. The liners offer high wear resistance..."
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/850GLT-EngineTechInfo.pdf

Take a look at BMW, they run all aluminum blocks. Boy, did I change a boat load of short blocks in the short time I worked for BMW. Hmmmmm, maybe an all aluminum block isn't such a bright idea after all. If you ever have the head off of a white engine you can plainly see the cast iron or steel that the pistons run in. As the previous poster pointed out though, they are cast in and not your conventional press fit sleeves.

Mark

I met an engineer for a casting supplier for Ford Motor. He told me DO CAST aluminum alloy blocks without sleeves. He says the alloys contain copper and silicon. The engine goes in the Escape model SUV. He says they are good engines too.
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I'm stuck on Volvo and Volvo's stuck on me....

I had a 1976 Peugoet 504 D (wonderful car by the way .. but horrible company in the way they support their cars ... pulled out of US market and had to get parts from Montreal) and the sleeves a pistons were purchased as a set. They were "wet" sleeves. You dropped them in together. I think the engine was a J4 and the same they used in commercial delivery trucks.
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I'm stuck on Volvo and Volvo's stuck on me....