Haven't had this car for too long, but fairly quickly (but of course after I purchased it) noticed that the motor sounds pretty "clacky" upon start up, which gets quieter when it warms up. The sound is just not a pleasant tic-tic but heavier and gets nearly inaudible when the motor is hot... this is consistent with valves that are (quite) out of adjustment right? Or am I looking at some other issues? Btw, where is a good place to get shims for this?

 

You are most likely having "piston slap" which is quite common in turbo Volvos... Not to worry too much, the condition is chronic and lasts for years and may be hundreds of thousands of miles before the motor goes and has to be rebuilt, i.e. it's no longer usable.

 

Really? Gee that sucks.... this crossed my mind but I thought it unlikely. So, would this still be "ignorable" if I were planned to up the HP a bit? Not too much, 225-250 maybe. Thanx for the info, sure you're right. Guess I should adjust the valves though anyway.

 

I've *NEVER* had to adjust the valves on a red block. one of ours has 400K miles on it, the valve cover has never been off the engine.

 

Well, second time I've heard this... ok won't worry about it then. Thanks

 

Well, valve adjustment is not that uncommon but the sound is very different from PISTON SLAP and quite unrelated, so why do it if it won't help the noise?

As far as upping the HP, I personally would resist the temptation.

 

if you really want to tweka out one of these engines, join the turbobricks forum. they have it down to a science. first, get a block from a 1994/1995 turbo that has the piston cooler squirters in it, then blueprint it out, then start upgrading til it blows, rinse, repeat.

 

I'm a member there, but at any rate I'm not looking to get 4-500hp out of it, just a modest boost. I really see no reason to have a 500hp wagon.

 

well, even pushing it to 200-250, you should start with a near perfect motor as you'll be stressing everything more than factory. they call that 'stage 0'

by this guys count, 200HP is a stage IV mod, and 250HP is stage VIII....
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...21/#post196669