1995 850GLT non turbo cylinder head compatibility

matt122s · Post by **matt122s** » 23 Jan 2015, 19:11

Hi All,
I'm new to this forum, but not new to Volvos. I purchased an 850 non turbo that had overheated and I thought I could machine the head and get it back on the road. I just heard from the machine shop that the cylinder head is too distorted. They can't take more than 15 thousands off and my head would need more than that. I've started looking for a used head as a replacement. Can anyone please tell me what years are compatible. Also will a 1998 S/V70 head work. I see listings for cylinder heads with or without air pumps. I thought all 850's had an air pump for emissions. This is a great site, thanks in advance for the help. Matt

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 23 Jan 2015, 19:43

Welcome to MVS.

For a non turbo you can use about any head, turbo or non turbo, late '94 through '98. Some 850s have SAS and some don't but you can always trick the ECU into thinking that it is there and working if your car was so equipped with a Radio Shack diode. It is a very simple procedure and the details are in the repair database. Just search "SAS delete".

I only have one Volvo with SAS, the '98 S70, and I didn't think there was a difference in the head but I have never really looked that closely. The SAS air pump crapped out on it so I just did the delete trick to keep the CEL from coming on and left everything else in place.

If you had a turbo then only a turbo head should be used but the only differences between the turbo head and the NA head are in the way the exhaust valves are made.

...Lee

matt122s · Post by **matt122s** » 24 Jan 2015, 18:16

Hi Lee,
Thanks for the helpful information on cylinder heads. I found a head in a wrecking yard with 96k on the engine for $200.00 I pick it up Monday and clean it up and replace the valve seals.
Thanks again, Matt