Does this sound like a burnt valve?

[Jazzer]

Here's mine, but the shop did all the work on this one:

[rspi]

The machine shop did a beautiful job of cleaning the head as well as a valve job ($314), in 2 days to boot. As I clean up the block in preparation for assembly, I'm curious: I have read in this forum and others that scotch brite pads should not be used. Yet in multiple online resources the most common method of cleaning the surface is a green scotch bride pad, along with brake cleaner, wd40, oven cleaner, etc., etc. Should we not use the green pad, or are we referring to a different pad?

That is a great price for a head rebuild.

I would not use the scotch bright pads at all, not worth the risk. I had the pleasure of replacing an engine after 3 days of use after someone else used them. Almost impossible to get all of the particles cleaned out.

[oragex]

With all the gunk on the top pistons, I wonder about the chances some piston rings are stuck in the grooves. Do the pistons move slightly back and forth?

[PeteB]

How did this turn out, our 850 has not given a misfire code but it is running very rough
below 2000 RPM. Granted it needs new vac hoses and PCV but I'm very worried since
the symptoms are the same. Need to get a compression tester before I do all the
work lined up for it.
Is a Harbor Freight compression tester good enough?

[101]

I borrowed a compression tester from Auto Zone. I have the Harbor Freight one and don't particularly care for it as it seems to want to separate at the wrong place when trying to back it out of the spark plug threads.

[PeteB]

Right I don't want one from HF if it is going to annoy me every time I use it.
I'll see if I can borrow one as you did, didn't think of that, thanks.

[PeteB]

Here is the OP's follow up: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 5&start=10