While preparing to tune and set the timing I removed the distributor cap now my previously bad running 1800 B20F is now running for a short period of time then dying suddenly. I have to wait for a few minutes then it will start again and do the same thing. Could I have a bad wire or some other component that as is warms up fails. Or what. I appreciate all the help you vets supply. Thanks

The suggestion below that it's a fuel problem sounds right. It seems as though you may be running on the fuel from the cold start injector. When it cuts off, you no longer have enough fuel to keep running. This takes us back to the injectors. Try pulling your plugs. You may find that two are fouled or smell of gas, while two look more normal. Another indication that the low voltage points in the little drawer at the bottom of the distributor are malfunctioning.

Let us know what you find.

Regards, Rolfe '71E

Thanks for the tip, I pulled the plugs and found that all four were fouled and smelled like gas. I had pulled one the day before the problem showed up and it was normal which led me to re visit the wiring and the ignition leading me to the copper 1/2 inch braded strand of wire that I had pinched off and caused the short. YOur help ws invaluable. I proceeded to set the timing and the car is really running great, ending about 3-4 weeks of buyers remorse.. Thank you

Jim Wentworth

86 760 239K
73 1800ES

Jim;
Sounds more like a fuel starvation problem.
The coil can heat up and fail, if you have a "resistor type" rotor (and I don't know if Volvo used them or not)it could be "opening" and failing.
Resistor (carbon) spark plug wires can break-down and fail, but one usually notices it long before it gets to the point of not starting.
Since you were messing with the ignition components, I'd go back and make sure you disn't get grease or grunge on any points of electrical contact (rotor tip, dist cap center and the four lugs, on the points (is so fitted), etc.
Check for a loose wire going to the dist, and it's lug, as well as the "pig-tail" wire inside the dist going to the points.. this can become frayed and ground out, it can also break and cause intermittent contact..
Back to the fuel.. If you are running the Bosch FI, your fuel pressure must be spot on.. otherwise the injectors won't spray, they will just drip.. Be sure your fuel pump is working and the fuel pump relay is kicking in to turn the fuel pump on, etc..
Double check the "double points set" that is located in the bottom half of your dist, and the elect plug-in.. these are the points contacts that actually "fire" the injectors..
Good Luck.
Charles.

I've always wondered about the resistor distributor thing. Do you know any of the theory behind why some cars had this and what exactly it was.