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I saw this post on the Swedishbricks mailing list, and figured someone with a 960 might have some advice.
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 08:58:22 -0500
Subject: [SBricks] White Block Heads - HELP!
Looking for anyone who's ever successfully re-assembled the head on a
white block.
I'm struggling with the re-assembly of a B6304. The head itself is almost
trivial to put on and torque to spec. The problem is the "cam carrier" to
head connection. Tried to put it back together last night but could not
get the cam carrier to seat on the head with the cams in place. It seats
fine without the cams, although it's a tight fit requiring clamps to make
it seat. With the cams installed, I am concerned that the force necessary
to seat the cam carrier is excessive to the point of damaging some of the
soft aluminum bearing races.
Note that I am not using the special volvo tools to press the cam carrier
to the head. I am instead using six C clamps around the edge of the head
to apply force. This worked well in dry runs without the cams installed.
This method should work, but I may be missing something. Perhaps the
force must be applied in a more uniform manner rather than around the
edges? The rear (#6 cyl) of the exhaust cam side wouldn't seal to the
block. The front and intake side looked like they would seal with
continuing pressure, but to do so would have warped the cam carrier.
Because this is an interference engine, I've installed the camshafts in
close to their orientation (marked) as when they came out of the car. If
this orientation is not correct for some reason, I may be trying to push a
valve into a piston. How real is this scenario and is there any way to
know for sure?
I get the feeling that this shouldn't be a big deal to do. The green
books offer no specific information on this step other than to do it. Has
anyone out there actually worked a white block? I'm to the point of
calling a dealer or independant mechanic (both 50 miles away) to finish
the job. This, as you might imagine, is quite a blow to my pride (yeah,
I'll get over it, but...) and does call into question whethere we will
continue to buy white block equipped bricks. I do like the motor when
it's running, but have serious reservations about owning a car I can't
fix. If it's only a matter of buying the special tools ($300+ for the cam
carrier presses alone) this would still be cheaper than having someone
else finish the job. But without a good feeling that I can make it work
with the proper tools, I'm hesitant to plunk down that kind of cash.
You folks who have done the B234 heads: Was re-installation of the cam
carrier a problem? How did you force the carrier down onto the head while
keeping the camshaft in place and ensuring no valve interference?
Any body BTDT? I've got to get this car mobile again or get the wife a
replacement.
--Jeff
Despondant in Iowa
'92 965 - 153k miles - Headless
- alex
'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo
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