Hi Guys,
I just finished an introductory post in the new members section so you can find a little more about me if you wish.
I recently read an old thread where someone wrote that they wanted to advance the timing on their 940. Tech wrote back saying the easiest way would be to install an adjustable cam gear. To that someone replied exactly what I was thinking, that has nothing to do with ignition timing, only cam timing. To that Tech replied that the distributor is driven by the cam and changing the cam timing will also change ignition timing. This kind of response always reminds me to never brag about how much I know about.......anything, because there are always folks out there with more knowledge than me.
Here is my question. Will advancing the cam, which I read from the guy selling these gears on E-Bay will give the bottom end a significant boost, advance or retard the ignition timing? I would hate to find out that in order to advance the ignition timing I would have to retard the cam. Next question is if it works the same for an engine with the distributor in the side of the block? My Alldata software shows the distributor at the back of the valve cover driven by the cam, but mine is on the side, and still not adjustable.
Thanks to all the contributors on this site, great job.

 

On your car it might just be best to buy IPD's Cam shaft.
Here is a link. I haven't tried playing with the timing much because I don't own one of them or I would have tried all options already.
EDIT They must have done away with it. I don't see it listed on the site anymore. But here is the link to IPD maybe if you contact them they might still have some.
http://ipdusa.com/Volvo-940960/c-1-136/

 

thanks tech. I'll check out the cam, although usually the aftermarket cams I see are made for more top end power and I'm looking for more low end. Does anyone have any experience with the B230F with the distributor on the side? I know it has to drive off the cam but it looks really low on the side of the block. I have loosened the hold down bolt to see if it would turn but it doesn't. I may install an adjustable cam gear just to see what will happen. Has anyone ever used one of these adjustable cam gears with good results? Did you happen to check the timing before and after?
If no one has I guess I will try it and report back. I think the gear was about $56 or so, seems like a cheap enough experiment.

 

The cars with the Dist on the side is just like the 240's. The Dist is run off the balance shaft.

The Dist is seized you can try to work it loose and see what happens.