Always good to get some heat on it... Picked that one up from Salvage Squad actually - resurrecting some ancient petrol engine which hadn't turned over in decades, if I remember correctly. They also had to get bearing shells custom made from whitemetal, as they were NLA...but I digress...!

As far as I'm aware, seizing at the bearings is relatively rare, but you're quite right - the oil trick is only for bores.

Carl - if you want a tow with the car, either obtain some rope or a trailer, and I can probably provide the tow mule, as I need to head to the Stafford/Telford area fairly soon. Having said that, your camper van will probably tow better than my 240, so that shouldn't be an issue. If you get really stuck, a friend has a unit here in Lincoln, which is about £40-50 a month for storage for a car. Not uber cheap, but as a last resort...and I might even be able to waggle a few spanners at it while it were here.

cheers

James

Cheers all for your suggestions and cheers James for the offer. Gem and myself have relised for a while now that if were going to move forward with the volvos we need to find a more suitible solution for working on the cars. I hoping that a few people will get back to me today. If not I have a old farmer neigbour who i haven't spoken to for years who as far as i'm aware has a load of empty sheds. So fingers crossed i may get something sorted.

Empty sheds sound good

cheers

James

Carl good luck with getting it sorted.

Well the star that is Adam came and has a look at the car today and agreed that the engine is seized solid. After a short discussion the decision was made to source a replacement and has offered to help change it which i must admit that myself and gem are so grateful for as there is no way we are going get rid of the car. Adam has placed a call to a local scrappy to see if they have an engine, but if anyone knows of a B172 please let me know.