Maybe some knowlegeable person out there can give some direction--

Last month, I inherited my Dad's '68 122 S Volvo from his estate that he purchased in 1975. Eighteen years ago he covered it and put it away in his garage and closed the door. Since this year would mark it's 40th birthday, my family and I chose to try to bring it back to life. Thanks to your website we learned what we needed to do thus far.

We drained and cleaned the gas tank, refilled it with fresh gas and replaced the coil, wires, distributor, fuel filter etc--did all the tune up things including the timing light. We replenished all of the other fluids as well and replaced all the hoses. Our stumbling block has been the SU B18 B hi capacity carburetors. One leaked so we completely disassembled and cleaned them and with new gaskets. The leak stopped.

Initially, we were encouraged when the little car started and ran the first time; but it ran really rough and not as I remembered. We found out if we opened the little spring loaded door on the exhaust manifold it smoothed right out to a perfect purr. Sadly, the fuel leak has returned to one of the carburetors and we are not sure how to resolve this issue or know what to do about the part on the exhaust manifold that makes it idle correctly. We don't even know the name of the part to be able to research the challenge it has presented us with.

My questions to all of you out there is what should be our next step?

Send the carburetors for a complete overhaul or send the the little car for a complete checkup to the experienced local Volvo mechanic?

Also, what is the name of the part on the exhaust manifold?


A big thanks in advance to anyone who chooses to send their advice.