Doing the head gasket on my 81 and this little vacuum valve broke, the trouble is, I have no idea what it’s called in order to get a new one (if they are still available) any help would be greatly appreciated, it seems to connect the engine block to the fuel distributor

That's part of the PCV system and I've always called it a flame trap assembly and they are still available and we have them in stock.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

hi planet- might you have in old volvos only a left front side seat belt retractor on my 92 245 . think mine has stripped its gears and keeps tightening by itself. a real pia when eluding coppas at 90 on tobacco road. thanks tons oldduke

We might have a good used 1, but we would prefer to have it cleaned, re-webbed and tested before selling it to ensure your safety.

We regularly have our customers 1800E/ES and 140/164 retractable seat belts re-webbed due to fraying of the seat belt webbing and because you can't get new ones.

We send them out to have them serviced by a seat belt repair shop and it costs $150.00 per retractor to have them re-webbed plus in/out shipping.

New seat belt retractors for your 240 are still available and I think its worth the price at $125.00.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

Fuzzy seat belts can be slow to retract and it can even get into the spring and pawls, which may be what's happening with OPs belt that is locking up. I've been able to extend the life of a belt by occasionally using an electric razor to de-fuzz and clean up the edges.
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

hi sages- oldduke hasnt been on for a while . fighting the plague. no worries rumors of my demise exaggerated. that item could be a failure warning sensor for muffler bearings about to fail or blinker fluid needing a refill. sorry me bad, promise to do better in 2022. regards oldduke

Hi oldduke. Just because the part is NLA from Volvo and ipd is no longer able to source an aftermarket generic that would fit, you know as well as I do there is of course such a thing as a muffler bearing. They were available as a dealer option to give a throatier exhaust sound. The only reason you don't hear about them more often here on the brickboard is they rarely fail, and like you said, they were rather expensive for what they are. I think there's an article on them somewhere in the FAQ.

Here's an excellent video on how to diagnose a faulty one, locate and change them
How to change a muffler bearing (Youtube video)

He also talks about changing blinker fluid and as well switching from winter to summer air in your tires. He uses a noname blinker fluid, but I've always found the Genuine Volvo fluid has a longer life.

I'm telling you, and I'm sure you'll agree, the young people of today simply aren't well versed in the basics of good old fashioned automechanics. People just don't seem to care any more about properly maintaining their cars for a longer life. Everything is so disposable. Can't even be bothered to use a bucket of steam to properly clean under the hood.

(okay, this should have been posted on the first day of this month).
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

dave - you are genuinely funny as hell. also everything you said is correct. bet you didnt know that all of those things didnt start out as jokes but as scams . in the late 50s muffler bearing repairs were often offered to unsuspecting drivers. i saw at 10 years old in 58 a gas station mechanic try to get my father to buy a muffler bearing job. my father didnt fall for it , but how many did. blinker fluid tricks i saw in the 60s and by the 70s summer and winter air changes for tires were offered . these were real scams ,not just jokes like they are today. i think this nitrogen replacement currently sold by some tires stores is a fakeout too. bet you never heard of a crocus valve for an automatic transmission (it doesnt exist ) worked for a major tire chain in 69 and was told every young woman who comes in on her way to work in the morning who complains of a strange noise in her car is to be told she needs new front shock absorbers. i wouldnt do it especially if the car didnt need shocks. maybe i have a bad attitude. better check kit g on that one. regards oldduke

Oldduke, sounds like you might have had the Covid plague recently. Glad you're recovering and hope you continue to do so. You of course had the required anal swab test before being allowed back here on the brickboard? Can't afford to have our BS infecting others.
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

hi dave- thanks for asking. not only did i have that swab test but it was negative. doctor sawbones told me no covid but told me he found evidence of a bad attitude complicated by cussaholism. he had no remedy. do you? thanks tons oldduke

Up to your old tricks, eh Old Duke! ...:)

Best,
JW
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

now come on jw youve heard of those items. shyster mechanic once told me a noise was failing muffler bearings which he could replace for only $250. that was back in 73. what would you say if one tried to clip you like that today?cost today would probably be only $500 with a coupon of course. phattest regards oldduke

Please feel better Uncle Old Duke!

2nd Pfizer shot in a few days.

Able to refrain from thatching the COVID wheezy sneezy crud. Mask on everywhere.

Not hard to remove the seat belt assembly. Art has some articles about the front and rear seat belt retractors and how to fix them here someplace.

BRB. Gotta go to work.

Happy Summer time!
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Beh.