I am trying to set the timing on a 73 B20F and cannot see the timing marks. I have AC and am wondering if its in the way? If this is the case, how do you time the engine?

It's really good to put some chalk on the timing mark on the pulley
before you try to time it with the pulley turning. I time mine at
about 20° BTDC with everything connected. This normally puts it right
on the spec when the vac is disconnected like the manual says and you
don't have to reset the idle twice.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Thanks for the tip, however my question should have been, where are the marks? One is on the pulley, are the others that show the degrees on the water pump housing? If so can they be seen with an AC unit mounted or does it have to be moved?

The timing gradation marks are on the pulley. You line them up with a large pointer on the timing gear cover. I had a 122 with an aftermarket AC in it that did not have a standard Volvo pulley. It had a cast iron one that only had a couple of punch marks for timing. But usually the gradation is quite clear if you take the time to clean off the crank pulley throroughly. As I recall I pointed the timing light through the gap between the head and the AC compressor.

Good Luck!

Ron Tewksbury
1968 122s ?66K miles
1897 245dl 134K miles
1989 745gl 173K miles

hat pointer he's talking about is on the timing gear cover above the crank pully. It is a raised line. Its almost impossible to see on a car with a/c, everything is in the way. I found mine by feel before I saw it. Get a bright light and keep looking, it's there.

Thanks, I'll give that a shot.

Jim Wentworth
1986 760 Turbo Wagon 239K
1973 1800 ES 80K