Hello all, I am looking for some advice or direction in regards to my 1964 B18B 122S. I know that it has a higher compression ratio and has a little more pep that the B18. From what I have read the B18B does not have as much HP as a B20EorF.

I would like to keep the B18B, but I would like to squeeze a little more power out of it, if I can. Can I bore out the block? What pistons?

Head work...does the B18B head suffer the same exhaust issues as the B20? If the head is off should I have it shaved or zero'd? New valves, lifters, pushrods, springs too??

Will a B20 cam fit on a B18B, if so what is the best grind for performance/street use?

I have some SU carbs now and will probably just keep those on instead of FI or Weber for the time being.

Thanks to all!!

I replaced my points with a Hot Spark setup and was amazed at the difference it made. I had enough wear in my distributor shaft, that the timing was not steady. The hall effect sensor and magnetic pickup are a little less sensitive to wear.

Also make sure that your mechanical advance is working properly.

One of the next things I want to install is a 123 ignition that completely replaces the distributor. You can change advance curves and it can modify the spark timing between cylinders to balance them out.

How much money do you want to spend?

Some B18's can be bored to B20, but I suspect it would have to be a late model. If it doesn't have to be a B18, then start off with a B20F long motor instead.

Street motor with SU's, K cam every time. It was designed in the '70's & lasts longer & is kinder to the valvetrain than the D cam.
--
Three 164's, Two 144's, One 142 & a partridge in a pear tree.

With the B18B you already have the higher compression. The best single thing you can
do to gain a few HP is to change to the dual downpipe exhaust manifold.
Note that there is only 3HP difference between the B18B and the B20B, which is the best
direct comparison engine between B18/B20.
The B20E and F are fuel injection engines that have the dual downpipe exhaust and somewhat larger valves, especially the intake valves. They also have the D or K cam as opposed to the C cam in the B18B and the B20B.
The B20F is lower compression, so it has around 120hp where the B20E has about 130hp.
Compression can be raised in the B20F by milling the head, making it fairly similar to
the B20E.
All the above assumes OEM components throughout.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Suggest and see the Volvo Performance Tuning B18 Series booklet at the following link;
http://www.volvoamazonpictures.se/documents/PERFORMANCE_TUNING_B_18_SERIES_VOLVOS.pdf