Volvo 850 R Project. Need advice on repairs.

[ACarmona]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I've recently been working on my R as I have days off and have done quite a bit since I last posted. I have been using 93+ octane since and no more knocking or stuttering. Here's what I've done so far:
- New radiator and silicone hoses from Do88
- New HDTCV from IPd and silicone vacuum lines
- New silicone hoses for inter cooler
- Replaced the PCV's vacuum line with a 5mm ID silicone one and ran it outside the manifold.
The current look.

Still need to get the brass elbows and the wider hose for the PCV and I don't have a drill, so I'll need to rent one. Also, could I drill out the ptc to 1/2" or 5/8" or is that too wide?

No more oil leaks so far from anywhere. I seem to have gotten rid of the smoke at startup. Even after sitting for a few days since the new TCV and fresh IC hoses, although my exhaust still has a black film on the inside at the tip and I'm imagining it goes all the way up. Would this affect my emissions? I still seem to be getting 22-28 in the city per my dash readout.

Next will be the tie rods, A/C condenser, figure out why the breaks squeak at 5-0 mph, and how to replace my sway bar link rods since the previous owner put in a large sway bar up front and the nuts on the bottom of the links are recessed too much and a normal sized socket's wall are just too thick to be able to grab onto the nut enough to loosen it at all. The upper ones are fine though.

[polskamafia mjl]

Good job! I'm happy you've managed to get the car back in shape so quickly.

The 850 brakes tend to squeal if the rear pads don't have shims. Using silicone paste or some other brake grease on backs of all the pads also helps.

[ACarmona]

Finally found some Push-Lok hose locally, as ebay was out of it and I don't like Paypal anyway. it looks a little different than what Tryingbe has advised, which is Push Lok 831-10 MSHA approved from Parker. My question is could I potentially use sections of this hose (if I can even get it in specific lengths) for the PCV upgrade? I was thinking the PEX 90 Degree Brass elbows should still fit, but how well would even a good hose clamp hold it on cause it looks tough.
Here is the link to Parker's website showing the hose I am looking at: http://ph.parker.com/us/17552/en/push-l ... 801-10-blu

Also about to change out the bulbs in my instrument cluster and the CC unit, new spark plugs, wires, dist. & rotor, MSD ignition coil, new throttle cable, and finally going to get a real boost gauge from IPD too! Wish me luck!

[tryingbe]

That's what I used.

Open the PTC while you're there.

[ACarmona]

My apologies Tryingbe! I edited my last post to fix that. I really meant you, but I was running on memory and I mixed it all up!
Thanks again! I do intend to look for a drill and all sorts of tools ill need to open up the PTC as well as other things today. My only question is: would 5/8" be too wide to bore the ptc or should I go with 1/2"? I'm guessing the larger exit diameter might make it harder for the heating element to do its job, or harder to regulate pressure in that area?

[tryingbe]

Use only 5/8 hose, and drill as much of the PTC as you feel comfortable. Any restriction or lip can cause carbon buildups.

[kcodyjr]

$5 says the brake squeak is because the shims are missing, backwards, or non-OEM in the rears.

The shim is only supposed to cover half the piston. Someone was selling a black ABS aftermarket shim that covered the whole piston, and screamed like a banshee. The idea is to "lean" the pad a little so the leading edge of the pad material isn't scraping the rotor like nails on a chalkboard.

[ACarmona]

Well, I might just be owing you $5 kcodyjr as that was my first thought too! Now that you mention non-OEM, all four calipers seem to be painted blue and the little retainer clips that go on the outside of the caliper have some sort of silicone embedded in there to probably "keep it there" so I intend to do a full diagnostic on the brakes soon!! I do also plan on re-painting my rims since the last owner decided to leave the chrome on the edge... so I will be needing to clean up that area too once the wheels are off. Could I use Brakleen to completely clean the brake/suspension area without damaging any soft parts or should I just stick to water? I do have a hose.

[dublin19]

That's what I used.

Open the PTC while you're there.

Its better with bigger ptc hole?

[abscate]

There is no regulation of pressure at the PTC. It’s just a hole. You are supposed to clean it every 50,000 miles, on an old engine 25000 miles might be better.