Hello brickers!

I have a 1969 volvo 144s that I have had for almost a decade. He is getting old, and I know the time draws near for a full engine pull and rebuild. I have done a few things for the car, I am not completely ignorant, but a project of this magnitude is something I just cannot do alone. I am inquiring as to whether or not there is a person who lives near where I live, who is willing to help and coach me through this thing in return for all the food, drink and company you could want. I will fund the parts, money is no object. I just cannot afford to take it to a mechanic anymore, and I really want the experience so I can do more things like this in the future. Plus, I bet we could become good friends! Won't you help a poor gal out? Please have pre-existing 'old volvo experience.'

I would, if you were closer! I'm in the middle of a head replacement on my 850R (my '75 164E doesn't need anything) and wish I had a local "Volvo Buddy," too!

The job I'm doing is by far the most I've ever done to a car, and it's going well so far. If you can't find anybody, just get the service manuals and use this board and others as a resource. Go slow, take pictures and label everything - you can do it!

I do wish you the best of luck, though. When you move next, move near me!

You just have to get into it, I guess. (I live in Denver, so can only help remotely)
I am doing my first full rebuild, having done some time with other people's projects, and I am trying to keep things going. (theoldvolvos.blogspot.com)

The bores were worn out when I measured them, but the crank was OK.
I got my engine back from the machine shop, it got a bore to 40 over and new pistons for the overbore. with pin bushings, that was about $550. I have collected new bearings (standard for main and big end) and all seals and gaskets, and I am thinking I coud get into reassembly in a couple of weeks.
I have not totaled my receipts yet, and maybe I shouldn't...
I actually had a rebuilt head I got several years ago, so I am not doing mine.
Like Patrick said, you would still be looking at 1,000 to 1,500 depending on the amount of work and parts replaced.
I am lucky I have a great space to work at, things can be slower using the shade tree approach, renting tools and stuff...
Good luck.

It is really just a big jigsaw puzzle, anyone can do this, If you know anyone who has pulled an engine before they can help you pull it, after that it is disassembly off to the machine shop, and reassembly. Pretty straight forward. However before you pull the engine, what makes you so sure you need a rebuild?
You may just need a head job or less.

Well I just took it to a shop a few months ago, they put in a new distributor and rebuilt the carbs, but also told me that the engine block has evidence of leaking oil from the gaskets, everytime I look under the hood there is a new gas leak, the whole block is crusted with oil, and starting it has become a battle royale unless the outside temp is 90 degrees or more. I agree with Broad Street Auto, the engine needs to be taken apart, cleaned, refitted with new parts where they are needed, and gaskets. It has 400 thousand miles on it, and hasn't been rebuilt in 20 years. Look, its a great project for the enthusiast, I want to learn, I don't want to ruin my car with novice mistakes in the process. I move at least once a year, and any undertaking of this magnitude I can't do a little here and there, it needs to be started and done inside three months. I just want help! Why is everyone throwing me to the wolves? :(

I just don't know how to respond, every time I use this forum I get a bunch of hems and haws but no one ever steps up to the plate.

I'm guessing here but pretty much everyone on this board who has rebuilt an engine probably did most of it themselves. It's a tedious job and only one I would do if I had to, and then only for myself. I think maybe you are asking for too much. These forums are for information, if you bite the bullet and start the job, ask questions as you go, you will get it done. Most of being a decent mechanic is about learning as you go and fixing more than you break. All you need is a shop manual and some space. If you are not up for the job pay someone to do it, maybe even someone here. We all have our own lives and projects and I'm guessing again, but most here probably have more than one project they wish they had the time to work on, thinking that yours should come first is a bit of a stretch. Any decent wrench has lots of projects that need getting done (I for one have a 57 year old highway coach that takes up my extra days). The whole point is any decent wrench isn't scared of getting in there and getting dirty and challenging their mind, because new territory takes energy to traverse. I rebuilt my B18 engine (and it was the first engine I had ever rebuilt) in less than a month of part time wrenching, with rudimentary tools, I pulled the engine using a chain winch and a tripod of stout poles, and only hand wrenches. It still cost me at least $1,200 in parts and machining, but I got them to do the head as well (could have done that myself).
Usually I would not have time for a long winded post like this, but lucky for you I've been bed bound with a nasty flu for the last 4 days.
Anyhow this is about the easiest engine you could rebuild, it is dead simple, takes some pics during disassembly, pay attention and git er done. It's time for you to step up to the plate!

More specifically, ¿where?

I live in Los Osos, any distance one is comfortable driving from there.