Greetings Board,

I just bought a beautiful 1976 Volvo 264DL. It is in remarkable condition (except the interior of course but I can remedy that). The previous owner had replaced the dreaded B27 engine with a rebuilt B21. So, technically it is NOW a 244DL but that is OK with me.

My question is this. I need to replace the ignition because there seems to be some internal damage to the one on there. Do I have to find an ignition that was meant for a B21 engine or will one from another 264 work? I didn't know if the wiring was different. Thanks in advance

Woe Is Me . . .
Now I have absolutely NO idea WHAT part of this (Four-Cylinder? Six?
Points-Ignition? Electronic? B21/B27/B30/B-Happy? Volvo/Saab/Nash With Fold-Down Seats? [No father ever let his daughter go with a guy who drove a Nash!]) vehicle we are discussing!
Thank God I'm never befuddled about where I left the Tanqueray . . .

Gary in Arizona

Greetings '34,
You're saying that your seller had the competence to swap engines, but didn't realize that the ignitions differed??? Hmmmmm . . .
Anyway, if the ignition is electronic, confirm that it has the correct
(four-cylinder) ICU ("brain-box").
Good luck!

Gary in Arizona--with two 164's.

Hi Gary

The problem was that the place I purchased this vehicle from did not bother to tell me they had no keys for it. Minor detail...

Fortunately though, the key codes were written down in the owners manual. When I called the local Volvo dealer, they seemed a little perplexed when I asked them to order me some new keys using the key code. These new technicians know little to nothing about the vintage Volvo's. To their surprise, they were able to order me a new key for the door.

The ignition seemed to be a little messed up on the inside so that is why I was wondering if I had to use a new ignition from a B21 engine instead of the kind that came with the 264. When I removed the ignition, I compared the one on there to the replacement one I had from a 75 164e, and they are identical. So either they did not replace the ignition when they switched engines or these ignitions are identical.

Sounds like to me that you are talking about the "ignition switch assembly", not the ignition system per se. Right? If that is the case then you are right in saying that they are the same. Usually the only thing that fails in the ignition switch is the electrical portion of the switch.
As far as the key goes the Volvo dealer should have a simple hand operated key punch machine on hand. Unless things have changed since I worked in Volvo parts I used to bang out new keys all the time. You say you have the key code so if the dealer can't cut you a new ignition key then any competant locksmith should be able to make you one.

Regards, Jim

My mistaking the ignition "switch" as the ignition itself. Sorry.

If you don't kave any keys, go to a junkyard and get a complete ignition switch with a set of keys for it. Probably a lot cheaper, but will take some doing to drill out the bolts on the old switch.

For these ignions, they are all the magnetic inductive pick-up type which triggers the coil from a distributor signal, four or six cylinders, it's still a single discharge, unlike the later electronic ignitions which are specifically discharging for a six or four spark plug engine. Any should work, as long as the B21F has it's correct distributor and coil. It's probably easier to find a 240 ignition unit anyway, so you should be able to find one that works.

Another question, are we talking the ECU or Bosch engine control unit located in a black plastic box on the left fenderwall?
On these cars, they don't control the ignition. They are for fuel managemment mostly on the K-Jetronic system. It is important to match a four cyl Lambda Sound (O2 sensor/frequency valve )model with what is on the car, OR what was put in your car. There is another one for cars equipped with EGR, and still another one for a six cyl, which I believe all US models had the Lambda Sound system.

One from a 264 won't work because the B21 has 4 cylinders and the 264s
normally had 6.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!