I'm about to acquire what I think is a pointless distributor which came on the '75 164's -- can someone please eyeball the attached photo and let me know if it's what I'm looking for or not? My 164 is a '74. The guy I'm getting it from is charging me an arm and a leg for it, so to reduce my costs, I have the following question: do I need to also get the ignition coil from the '75, or will the system still work with my '74's ignition coil?

Thanks in advance for the help!

EDIT: I can't figure out how to post pictures on here, so please copy/paste the following link to view the picture:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/RSalesman/1974%20Volvo%20164E/0508091247c-1.jpg
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74 164E

That is the Bosch electronic distributor for the '75 and it will need the control box as others have noted. It's a very reliable system and simple to wire up. The distributor does require maintenance--a few drops of oil under the felt in the shaft for the centrifugal advance (and feel the mechanism for slop) and clean trigger points. -- Dave

The control box for '75 164E is Bosch 0-227-100-006 (Volvo 461582)


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Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

Where exactly on the vehicle is the black box?

Thanks everyone for your responses.
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74 164E auto -- looking to convert to manual M410

You have to put it on to use that kind of distributor. Get the wiring also - it'll make it easier.
How much is an arm and a leg?
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George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

$85 w/ coil.

Any idea where this mysterious black box is located? The guy pulled the dizzy today, but said he didn't notice any black box.
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74 164E auto -- looking to convert to manual M410

The wiring connected to the distributor should have led directly to it!
It is the same module used on the early 240 electronic ignition system.
Should be readily available but should come with the distributor and coil for $85.
(not really a bad price)
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George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Does this look like it's the black box?

linky:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/RSalesman/1974%20Volvo%20164E/0607091058b.jpg
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74 164E auto -- looking to convert to manual M410

Yes--Dave

"It is the same module used on the early 240 electronic ignition system."

Hi George,

My parts info says the 164 used Bosch 0-227-100-006, while the 240s with that ignition used the 0-227-100-018 from '74 up thru the '85 turbo.

I have a stack of 018's, but no 006's. Must have had one once upon a time though, right?

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Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

Your 164 was a 72 or so and did NOT have electronic ignition.
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George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Just to throw a couple of more numbers into the mix--I looked over some of the more accessible boxes in my basement and came up with the common 018 -- and also a 007 and a 005. Maybe someone with the numbers listed can figure out what they came from--I didn't have them marked. -- Dave

I don't recall specifically where it's (the "black box" - which is actually black) located - should be on the left inner fender apron - attached to a stamped metal bracket. It is about a 5-6 inch rectangle and about 1.5 inches thick. If still original it will have a black plastic cover shell slipped over the actual box. The wire harness to it has a multi-wire plug end from the car harness and off to the side of that plug/harness there is a short extension with a two wire plug which takes the two wire harness from the distributor. If he hasn't sold the box separately chances are it's still there. It occurs to me that it may be possible utilize the box from a 260 series - giving you a greater chance to find one for a 6 cylinder. -- if it is possible to use the box from a four cylinder model I have a few of those available. $85 is more than I'd sell a distributor for but still not bank breaking. If the original box is there he should throw it into the deal--along with the harness ends and the metal wire safety clip. When I remove a distributor and box I usually take the connector and a 6 inch length of harness to splice and the distributor harness. -- Dave

Black box is located on driver's side inner fender. Easiest way to remove it is to pull the tire. It is held on by 3-4 phillips screws that have to be accessed from the wheel well. The screw heads are usually covered by tar and road crap that have to be scraped off. Like others have said, get everything including the wiring. FWIW, I've seen the complete package sell for as much as $100 at swap meets. $85 is fair if you are getting everything.

Thanks everyone for your input. Good to know I'm not getting hosed on the price.
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74 164E auto -- looking to convert to manual M410

The coil's not special, but you'll defintely need the ignition black box to go with the distributor.