I found a 1990 Volvo 740 with around 160,000 miles on it in the PacNW. The current owner bought the car with a broken timing belt. As a father / son project, the head was removed and rebuilt requiring the replacement of four bent valves. The bent valves did make contact with the piston crowns. A 'smile' was ground off the surface of one cylinder.

This B234 uses the spring-loaded belt tensioner.

The B234 is an interference engine, no matter the market. There's not much info on this board about B234 issues and concerns other than be sure you have the service history and keep after the wear items.

Valves banged into the piston crowns. The malleable metal used in piston would have me thinking the entire engine should have been rebuilt and, at least, the pistons replaced along with the head, unless connecting rods show damage (bent).

The owner's father says the 740 runs well and they have put 8000 miles on it since pulling, rebuilding, and replacing the head. Yet now it is idling at no lower than 1600 RPM.

Would you buy this car for 1600$?

Thank you,

Sam,
1975 244 DL with M41 and B20F (R.I.P)
1979 245 DL with M46 (R.I.P)
1976 242 DL with M46, Moon Roof (An SRO), and B21F (R.I.P)
1979 242 GT Grey Market Import with M46, Moon Roof (An SRO), and B21E (R.I.P)
1990 240 (245) DL wagon with M46, and B230F
1991 240 (244) Grey Market with M47 II, Moon Roof, High Compression B230E
You wish you owned a Volvo, huh?