Timing gear replacement
 

Good morning Chaps.
After reading lots of posts I have decided to ask for your help.
I have a 1967 P1800S. I have fitted electric ignition but the timing marks still 'wander' when using the strobe light. I have tested the timing gear and there is a lot of wear...…...and so I plan to replace the gears with one of the many kits available.
My question, can the gears be replaced with the engine still in the car?
Thanks in advance
Dave

Welcome to the forum. You would probably be better trying the Amazon section of the forum https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=9

Are you talking of the distributor time ing gears or the camshaft timing gears?

It's many years since I worked on an Amazon engine but from what I remember it was doable with the engine in the car, rad may need removing to give room.
The distributor can certainly be removed and the drive gears replaced, the camshaft worm of course needs the shaft to be renewed.

I found a lot of the time the scatter to be the bearings in the distributor body worn which gave the strobe a fit as the plugs did not fire uniformly, especially on ford distributors. New bearings or new distributor made a hell of a difference when setting the timeing.

I have had diesels for 20 years now so my recollections may not help you, but I do recall a sound distributor made life easy, while you have fitted electronic ignition, it is still triggered by the distributor unless it's a system I've not met with, as I say it's been 20 years.

Paul.

Thanks for the replies chaps, it is much appreciated.
Best regards
Dave