Saw something interesting the other day at the local pick-n-pull. There was a 1995 940 non turbo that had the distributor coming off the block, just below the alternator. It had a Regina coil and ignition but I don't think that had anything to do with it. In fact, I had a '91 740 with Regina that had it coming off the rear of the cam, like my '93 940 Turbo. I thought all 940's had the rear cam set up? I know early 240's had the block set up but I'm wondering why Volvo went back to that setup? Do all '95's(last year made) go back to that? Just curious.

 

Some of the 940s had it on the block. Volvo always seemed to be trying to use up old parts stock and you can see all kinds of variances within even the same model year. This applies to 240s, 740s and 940s.

 

Yup... never know what your gonna find on a junkyard redblock.

I found a '91 740 with Regina and 2 fuel pumps... two fuel pumps being normal setup for a Bosch ignition but not Regina.

Best part was both those fuel pumps looked brand new. The intank pump assembly still sits the basement while the under car pump was installed on my 240.

 

I guess Volvo really was the "Redheaded Step Child" of the automotive industry!

 

I've had several 940s with front mounted distributor, 1993 and 94...

 

Is it an easy swap? Or are they're internal drive gears that are different?

 

Not sure exactly but I believe it'd be an easy swap, but why do it? The 240 has no room in the back so they have to use a front dist. The 740/940 can use either...

 

It's tough to work on when it's mounted on the cam. Very little room. It seems like they don't give much consideration to the poor b*stard that has to do repairs.

 

I have done several swaps from the rear mounted to the block mounted. As someone said at times volvo likes to use up its old parts. All my swaps but one required changing the auxiliary shaft. I have found one that had the gears on the aux shaft and also had a rear mounted dist. that was a simple swap...just popped the plug and put in the dist. Most of the time if its a rear mounted dist. you won't have the gears on your aux. shaft to run a block mounted dist, so thats why most of the time you need to swap both.

 

I thought there might be more to it than just swapping the dist. I think I'll keep what I got and hire someone with small hands when it's time to replace the cap and rotor.