This 220 is equipped with a B20, twin SUs, Bosch (cast iron #003) dizzy (centrif. advance), brake booster (with a horrible looking hose, this may be important later), with new: plugs, wires, coil, points, condenser, fuel pump, cleaned tank (nice work done here in Eugene, Or.).

I have it static timed the ignition (as per Ron Kwas' article, http://www.sw-em.com/Volvo%20Ignition%20from%20Scratch.htm), and have had the carbs off and cleaned up by me

After a lot of poking around I've got the beast afire. It turns out a faulty ignition switch kept me stumped for awhile...which meant that the whole ignition system got an overhaul, and so did the carbs, so that's the silver lining.

With a push-button start installed (simple but effective-from the batt to the starter solenoid), it got it running...now the clean gas tank is installed, the fuel is getting pulled nicely through the new fuel pump, and I started it up...

BUT, SKY HIGH IDLE and WHITE SMOKE!!!

When looking under the hood I see that the front carb isn't lifting (even though it is free and I can easily lift it with my finger, which brings the idle down considerably), and the exhaust is white (or at least NOT BLACK). This is the first time it has been running in about A YEAR.

So, my question is, where should I start? I've heard it's either the timing or too much air getting in. I figure it's the latter. I don't have the air filters on, and the hose from the oil filler cap to the intake is not on. Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

BG;

...sounds like the classic symptoms of a failed brake booster, IMO...white smoke is burning brake fluid...disconnect and plug the vacuum hose (to prevent a vacuum leak) to verify. Recycle that POS, and get used to pushing the pedal harder!

BTW, dashpot of carb not lifting is because there's no air being pulled through it...which is consistent with air coming from elsewhere...burning brake fluid doesn't make power so good though...

...sounds like you're getting close to having a running car...keep at it...soon you'll be cruisin' (and stylin') down the road!!

Good Hunting

Thanks Ron,

I'll take that thing off (it wasn't doing anything but taking up space anyhow, obviously) and go through some leak diagnostics...thanks again. Almost there!

Hello,

Please do not throw away your booster or mounting bracket. Rebuildable cores are getting hard to find.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90501

How much is one worth?

Eric;

I suppose for someone wanting their car to be absolutely original, they have some value, but it would have to be rebuilt by a specialist who has figured out the failure mode and weaknesses and who has an answer for these...simple rebuilding by Joe backyard mechanic is NOT RECOMMENDED and will certainly lead to failure, with possibly catastrophic results...those units are notorious!

Cheers

Hey Guys,

I actually failed to notice that I have a Lockheed booster on there...

Now that I have the vacuum hoses properly hooked (or blocked off) the white smoke is gone, BUT the idle is still REALLY high...so I'm thinking intake leak somewhere. Does any one know how to check for this?

As I said before (I think), my front carb isn't lifting, but when I do so manually the revs come down to normal, so I am thinking it is around there somewhere.