What determined whether or not the 940 was made with a side mount distributor (a'la 240) or a rear-mount distributor?

The "tiny oil leak" question below led me to ask this.

My 1993 has the side mount, and it has this giant metal "cap" thing that goes where the distributor should have been.

I've seen other 940s with that setup as well. But many of them have the rear mounted distributors. Was there a reason that they came off of the line both ways? I personally like the side mount for many reasons, one being that it doesn't leak. The other being that it's easy to get to.

And what's that giant metal "falsie" distributor? It's ugly and it bothers me not to know what the heck is in that thing.

I have a 93 model 940 that was manufactured 11/92, and the distributor is on the back of the cylinder head.

Our '94 945 from Halifax has the front-mounted distributor and the big can thing where a 740 would have a distributor. I like the front-mounted distributor.

I am almost curious enough to take the can off to see what's inside it. My theories:

1. Nothing. The can is just a bumper to aid engine installation and/or transmission mount replacement.

2. A crank position sensor, tachometer pick-up, or similar electronics.

3. Some arrangement to retain the plug filling the distributor shaft hole.

If I do take it off, I'll post what I find.

Brian

Yeah, tell me before I take it off and find out that it's some silly sensor full of 100 springs and Jesus clips that shoot every which way.

That is how my little experiments usually turn out. I'll wait for you to tell me this ;)

Brian - I will look forward to your post re: what's inside.

My Volvo tech told me that the camshaft-driven distributor has much less slack in its drive mechanism and gives better engine operation. I believe that. Plus there are questions about closeness of firewall in the 240.

But - with 940's having it either way, I suspect that Volvo was using up blocks that were for the 240 series which was going out of production. Same thing for having camshaft covers with pluggable hole in back. Fiddle with the configuration to use up available inventory. Only Volvo would have so many swappable parts that they could do this.

Regards,

Bob

:>)

The cam driven distributor definitely has a lot less slack. The side mounted one is a little bit loose. But by 93 the cars all had crank position sensors, so it really didn't fudge the timing at all like it would've with the older (LH 2.2) vehicles.

Using up the parts, as you said.

I'm gonna stick with that answer. It makes the most sense especially in 1993.

And Brian is going to take apart that can at the back of the head. I hope he has fun picking up all the pieces :)

Chris,

I have a 1993 940 also, but my distributor is on the rear of the engine. Could it be that the location was switched mid-year or something? I don't know if mine was made early or late in the model year run, but it's a thought.

Andy De Block

Good question. I was trying to determine if the distributor was in the front or the back for several years, or if it was just something that happened in 93 only. I can't remember the build month of my car offhand.

I've taken a look at a bunch of 940s. Some (one w/ locked up engine) had the front mounted distributor, another had a rear mount, and most of them seem to be the rear mounted variety. But I never thought to look at the year of the car itself.

Just kind of weird, and I'm trying to figure out why on earth they put this huge cap in the back of the head, rather than just plugging it like they did on the 240s.

Well I just ran out and checked mine - built 10/92.

Can't think of any reason for a big cap instead of a plug either, unless it's some kind of hi-speed super-duper pressure relief thing to prevent leaks/blown plugs from a dirty flame trap (i'm just learning about Volvos, have had mine for two months). I doubt it though.

Andy De Block

No, a pressure relief valve would be too SMART.

I still maintain that taking apart that cap is one of those little projects that turns into a major calamity. For me, anyway.

Brian is going to get back to us on the details of "What's in the can".

That thing is scary looking. I'm leaving mine alone. I don't WANT to know.