Anybody have experience running Pertronix ignition on their 140? I am still debating to go with this setup or take a chance on the Bosch setup I took from a 75 240. I do not know if the latter even works as it should (all I know is it has a few more wires that I would have to figure out)

Thanks again.

68 Volvo 142S

I find it curious that many people are comparing their new solid state ignitions to their 50 year old Volvo systems.

I suppose that NOS systems for these cars are not available, and the new systems can tolerate wear in the old parts used.

I have a friend that works on hot rods and restored antique cars - often re-doing a $60.000 job.

He always advises these customers to have a spare conventional system in the trunk - if a solid state system fails, you are done - any decent mechanic can make a conventional system work well enough to get you home.

PERTRONIX is OK, but I suggest a adjustable version 123 distributer. B20 seems likes it on the #9 setting.

Check out a 123 Electronic Distributor, adjustable.
#9 setting has worked well for two Amazon B20 owners I know.

I have had the IPD pertronix system for about 9 years. It always works perfectly, after installation was completed.

Just noticed this post and thought to add my 2 cents worth!
I put a rebuilt 140 Type 033 dizzy in my B18 engined 544 and after repeated points issues that the rebuilder refused to address, I decided to go Pertronix.
If anyone is considering a purchase however, my experience may be of interest:
IPD has excellent info on how to select and match select the correct unit, so
I called to order one but they were out of stock.
I then ordered one {same series} from Amazon. Fit was not even close.
I next ordered another from a reliable supplier on Ebay. Same number - different style - did not fit.
Tried again, another supplier, same number - another style - same result.
(All of them were listed as fitting my 140 distributor, and the prices ranged from about $80.00 to $165.00}
Finally I called IPD again and new stock had arrived! I got it 2 days later.
The fit was perfect and installed in 10 minutes. The car has never run so smoothly.

Sorry but my computer won't allow me to open the wiring diagram for the aforementioned Bosch unit out of a 75 240. Could somebody please re-send me the link for this. i really just need to know what wires hook up to the ignition switch and which ones go to the ballast resistor.

Thanks,

Chris

I wired in the 1975 breakerless distributer into by 1967 Volvo 122S with no problem. I kept the original armored coil and the 123GT Smiths tach and followed the instructions found in the vclassic archives at;
http://vclassics.com/ archive/breakerless.htm
Hope this helps.

What's the work-around if you want to keep your original coil and not cut the shielded wire from the switch to the coil?

The VClassics article doesn't address this. And I haven't been able to find information about this in other postings on this topic, but recall that it can be done.


thanks

Not a problem on a 140 since there's no shielded cable.

I remember that IPD sold something at one time so you wouldn't have to cut the cable.

I've had Pertronix units in 2 140 series cars.
Been over 10 years. No issues.

no chance being taken with the '75 bosch...you already have it, and the install is easy, souce the diagram, it is really simple. very rugged ignition....I would be interested in anyone who could post something negative about this ign., as I have yet to hear of a failure
--
Patrick ('68 220, '83 245).

"I would be interested in anyone who could post something negative about this ign., as I have yet to hear of a failure"
I'm not making this reply to "dis" the Bosch ignition as I've had a '75 distributor in my '69 140 for at least 10 years with no issues. But over the course of many years of servicing Volvos I have had occassion to make repairs on this type distributor (system used in the early years of the 240 series B21) so I want to let potential users at least be aware of the possible faults. Most common would be a failure of the coil winding in the distributor due to shorts in the winding. This ususally gives plenty of warning with unexplained temporary failures--the motor stops running after being fully warmed up--then will restart after a cool-down period. Eventually the failure will become permanent with a no-start condition and requires replacement of the winding. The second fault I've found is uncommon but possible. What can happen is the tiny pin which locates and secures the reluctor can disintegrate (rust) allowing the reluctor to shift position on the distributor shaft throwing timing off. Symptoms can be hard starting, no start, severe pinging and/or backfiring. The fix is simple enough with the repositioning of the reluctor and replacing the pin. I hope this doesn't discourage anyone from using this type dist. as I found the improvement over point & condensor to be dramatic. I installed my system in the dead of winter and made no other changes at the time. My cold start-ups went from the motor cranking 4-5-6 revs before firing to an almost instant start. -- Dave
--

Thanks for the info...I've never had any issues but it's good to know. BTW is the reluctor pin just t a roll pin? And re: the distributor coil is there still a replacement part available for this?
--
Patrick ('68 220, '83 245).

It's been a long while since I've had to replace any of those parts on any car but think the pin was solid---definetely tiny. I don't see any reason why a roll pin wouldn't do the same job. As far as the coil--I would only guess that any Bosch coil that uses an external resister (most, if not all 240's) would work fine. -- Dave

I thought when you were talking coil you were referring to the small induction coil/hall effect sensor/whatever that is in the dizzy....
--
Patrick ('68 220, '83 245).

"I thought when you were talking coil you were referring to the small induction coil/hall effect sensor/whatever that is in the dizzy...."
Yes, I didn't read Patrick of Montreal's post carefully enough and was thinking in terms of the ignition coil. I do not know if the distributor winding is available new. I think the part would be same for the B21 distributor of which there are many more available used. Sorry for the confusion.--Dave

The distributor winding is the same as the newer ones. I had mine replaced from a later 240 when I had nothing better to do one afternoon..
--
...and the bricks keep on rolling

I am running mine with the Bosch blue coil with internal resistor. No problems for the past 5 years.
--
...and the bricks keep on rolling

I've run the 75 240 system and been VERY happy with it.
I think a couple guys who frequent this board have posted instructions.

I have run the pertronix unit on my 142 for at least 5 years now and have had no problems or issues with it.