Hi all, especially to those great guys who helped give input to my original posting:

Here is the latest update what I did...I did the compression test again to make sure , including adding oil to the last two cylinders that had lower compression:

#1 - 180 psi
#2 - slightly below 180 psi
#3 - 135 psi (after adding oil, jumped up to over 200 psi...maybe I put in too much oil?)
#4 - 130 psi (similar results as #3 after adding oil)

I must have done something wrong with the first compression test when I mentioned in the first posting that there were no compression change after I added oil in the cylinder #3. I think I may have not added enough oil to seal the piston the way around...anyway, the above results should be more accurate as I tested and retested.

Sad to know that I cannot just limit the head as the culprit to improve the compression of the last two cylinders. But I went ahead and did the valve adjustments. Sure enough, a couple of valves had "minus" zero clearance!

But unfortunately before I could get to finish the whole adjustment, I snapped a valve adjustment screw.

Oh great...guess I will have to wait on finishing the job til I get new replacement...I was afraid the screw would be hard to find, but luckily, after browsing around, I learned it is called a "ball stud" and the Volvo part number for it is #418286. Available at Volvo Parts Web store (of all places for vintage parts!) for $3.65 each. Cheap for a new, OEM screws when I tried comparing prices at other places.

Will update more after I get the parts.

-DS