Electrics: 164: distributor parts and part numbers

[Steyn]

Can anyone suggest a source of rebuild parts for Bosch distributors on the B30 engine (such as the 0 231 142 001)? I know Bosch themselves have long since discontinued selling kits, but someone must be producing them, since there are firms offering rebuild.

Bonus points to anyone who can give me the Bosch part number for the rebuild kit that services the 0 231 142 001 distributor. Sometimes NOS parts can be had, but the seller only has the part number on the box to go by, not knowing the application.

[142 Guy]

Try Volvo Genuine Classic Parts

https://www.gcp.se/en/

About 15 years ago they were the only ones who had the rebush kits for my B20E distributor. If you need parts for the advance mechanism I think you are definitely out of luck because even those were unavailable for the B18 / B20 15 years ago. You need to pony up the big bucks for a machinist to custom fabricate those parts if you absolutely need to stay original.

The default replacement part now seems to be the 123 distributor.

[Steyn]

Originally Posted by 142 Guy

Try Volvo Genuine Classic Parts

https://www.gcp.se/en/

About 15 years ago they were the only ones who had the rebush kits for my B20E distributor. If you need parts for the advance mechanism I think you are definitely out of luck because even those were unavailable for the B18 / B20 15 years ago. You need to pony up the big bucks for a machinist to custom fabricate those parts if you absolutely need to stay original.

The default replacement part now seems to be the 123 distributor.

That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid. The 123 is very impressive on paper, and really nice and shiny. It's certainly a viable option for an affluent owner who travels only during regular business hours and close to the built-up areas. However, I'm not a tech millionaire with my own space program, and I drive desolate, deep country roads where the tow trucks don't run, and often during the night. I've been stranded by four different vehicles, two of them Volvo, with electronic issues (all close to home, thankfully). Three of those were terminal. I've driven countless more miles behind a set of points, and had only the same number of breakdowns, and been able to fix every one of them by the roadside, most of them in the dark. The worst I had to do was drop in my spare points set. I can't afford to carry a spare $700 Star Wars distributor. It probably wouldn't still be shiny after 2 years in an ammo can under the driver's seat.

Actually, I'm the machinist who'll make the parts needed, and I wish I had those big bucks. The thin spacers are a right pain, and the various insulating spacers are a major challenge, not knowing the original material and so badly worn that it's pretty hard to get measurements to duplicate them. And then there's advance springs... It's just so much easier having the correct parts.

I tried gcp.se. Everything came up "Deleted part - Will not come again!" Hence my hope that someone can suggest an aftermarket source. I know they must be out there.

[142 Guy]

Originally Posted by Steyn

Hence my hope that someone can suggest an aftermarket source. I know they must be out there.

I know they must be out there is similar to the belief that I know there must be little green men from Mars. You are likely going to be dead and still waiting.

CVI, Skandix, VP Autoparts and Scancar are the vintage Volvo specialists with the largest range of parts for vintage Volvos. None of them list mechanical replacement parts for B30 (or B20 or B18) distributors beyond points, condensers, caps and rotors. My experience suggests that if one of those specialists does not stock the parts its a high probability that they don't exist in an off the shelf form.

You could try sending an email to HiPerformance Autoparts in Torrance California. These guys have an incredible trove of salvaged vintage Volvo parts and NOS parts sitting on shelves, none of which shows up on their web site. They might be able to supply you with the necessary salvage or NOS parts to do a rebuild of your distributor or a complete replacement distributor salvaged from some other 164. There may be salvage yards on the east side of the Atlantic with similar collections.

If you don't want to go the 123 route, the other option may be to place a wanted to buy add for a 164 distributor on all the various vintage Volvo forums. Purchase several because they are all likely worn and you may need to pick and choose parts to make a working distributor.

Or, you can wait for the little green men to arrive with your distributor rebuild parts.

[dingov70]

How do , try these people . No personal experience , but you can only ask

Ignition Car Parts ltd
Peter Crago
Unit 16 Ilford Trading est
paycocke road
Basildon
Essex
SS14 3DR
United Kingdom
And I have used these in the past to good effect


Camco Automotive
18 Taurus Park, Europa Blvd, Westbrook, Warrington WA5 7ZT

[Steyn]

Originally Posted by 142 Guy

I know they must be out there is similar to the belief that I know there must be little green men from Mars. You are likely going to be dead and still waiting.

CVI, Skandix, VP Autoparts and Scancar are the vintage Volvo specialists with the largest range of parts for vintage Volvos. None of them list mechanical replacement parts for B30 (or B20 or B18) distributors beyond points, condensers, caps and rotors. My experience suggests that if one of those specialists does not stock the parts its a high probability that they don't exist in an off the shelf form.

You could try sending an email to HiPerformance Autoparts in Torrance California. These guys have an incredible trove of salvaged vintage Volvo parts and NOS parts sitting on shelves, none of which shows up on their web site. They might be able to supply you with the necessary salvage or NOS parts to do a rebuild of your distributor or a complete replacement distributor salvaged from some other 164. There may be salvage yards on the east side of the Atlantic with similar collections.

If you don't want to go the 123 route, the other option may be to place a wanted to buy add for a 164 distributor on all the various vintage Volvo forums. Purchase several because they are all likely worn and you may need to pick and choose parts to make a working distributor.

Or, you can wait for the little green men to arrive with your distributor rebuild parts.

I know there must be parts available, because there are specialists advertising distributor rebuilding services on both sides of the pond. I seriously doubt (or at least sincerely hope) that their idea of rebuilding is not to install a collection of used parts.

[Steyn]

Originally Posted by dingov70

How do , try these people . No personal experience , but you can only ask

Ignition Car Parts ltd
Peter Crago
Unit 16 Ilford Trading est
paycocke road
Basildon
Essex
SS14 3DR
United Kingdom
And I have used these in the past to good effect


Camco Automotive
18 Taurus Park, Europa Blvd, Westbrook, Warrington WA5 7ZT

I've checked their website, and they do advertise distributor rebuilding services, so I've sent them an email. We'll see what news they return.

[142 Guy]

I hope that works out for you. If they will provide just the parts it would be good to make a post noting the details because I expect that there are a number of owners with B18 and B20 engines that would like to do a rebuild of their distributors.