many thanks for suggestions so far, i have checked with a timing light checks ok'
this model with the EZ-K module (1987) does not have appear to have any flywheel position sensors presume this is done by distributer,
a couple of points though,
knock sensor? could this cause this problem,how to test?
main control module looks dry, but the air here at the moment (uk) while better than some of the stuff you guys are getting at the moment, is very damp, these units are presumably pretty reliable?
ive had nothing but trouble with the ignition system on this car, mainly neglect by the previous owner but the cables seem prone to deteriortion, is it possible to fit a distributer in its original position at the front of the engine (as b23)-the holes there, the existing system seems so needlessly complicated the recovery people wont touch it!
thanks again,
doug
ps lost spark completely yesterday but it came back on its own,
pps studied the diagram but i couldnt see how the tachometer connects to the system ?

Hi Doug, Haven't got a lot of experience with Volvos but my car is similar to yours and has had similar problems, also on-going.
I do most of my own work and discovered, like you, that the qualiy of the wiring coverings is shocking. I found many of the thinner wires were touching each other in places and especially at the back of the engine over the flywheel housing. Also in, around, under and near the carb.and inlet manifolds. Once I had cut back the wires to the points where their rotten coverings became more sound, I replaced the old with new and joined with solder or insulated crimp-fittings. Now the car seems to behave as well as a 15 year old car can be expected to. But the water pump has begun rattling away, so tht's next on the list. The best things about the car? It's nice and solid and it's paid for!

hi fifiuk
thanks for your reply- looking at some earlier postings it looks like the cable rot isssue has been taken up with volvo i dont know the outcome,
i found the cable to the distributer really bad but just put a new section in using 3 core- dosent seem to affect the radio,
re your water pump i recently had some awful noises comimg from that part of the engine-we suspected the pump, turnrd out to be alternator,
ps i love the car, the bodywork, gleamin white is as good as any 2 year old car
jus a bit needlessly complicated,
regards
doug