Ignition issues

[thedoeges]

I had a crack in my distributor cap that affected cylinder 2. After replacing it with a new cap, bought from Autozone for $8.99 (1975 Volvo 164 engine cap), I started my truck and shut it down right away, looking back into my new distributor cap, only to realize that the contact responsible for cylinder 2 is a bit blackened compared to the others. The truck drove well for 10 minutes and is now stuttering when accelerating. Did I buy the right cap? Do I need new ignition cables? There are also some scratch marks inside the new cap between the contacts where the rotor moved along. Its a 1975 c303 24v system with pertronix ignition.

The engine is original military, is it a B30, or a B30a? Any suggestions for ignition cables, rotor, and cap?

Thanks!!!

[Haf-e]

Sounds like something isn't right... I would spin the engine with the cap off and check to see if there is a wobble if the rotor or lots of play perhaps...

A very nice option would be to replace the entire distributor with one of these units: http://www.123ignitionusa.com/volvo-distributors-2.html

I used the 123 Ignition system on a couple of Citroen 2CVs I have and they work great. Very adjustable and easy to install / tune. They do some very cool things like turn off automatically if the key is left on and also automatically advance when the engine is cold. Kinda expensive but worth it I think. Just wish they made one for my Pinzgauer...

[Christer_tgb]

I have heard that the cap is different from Volvo 164 to the 303, but haven't got it confirmed yet.
Could it be that the cap isn't the same?

Do you have the Volvo part number for the 164?
The partnumber taken from the spare part manual says
243658 (243803)
244264

The engine is a B30A in the 303.

Good luck with finding the reason and please let us know what you find out as the cause.

[thedoeges]

Thanks!

[thedoeges]

Are the part numbers Volvo specific? What's the difference between the B30 and the B30a engines?

[Christer_tgb]

These partnumber are from the spare parts manual from Volvo, same number for both military and civilian 303.

I do belive that the B30A has a different cam shaft that the ordinary B30, but maybe an engine specialist can confirm and highligt other differences.