Hi all, 1981 242DL B21F that still aint starting (read earlier posts if you want to know how i got to this point)
Ok, my timing belt is definitely installed correctly. thank you all for the help on it.
I know on a VW you can time the engine without it running (statically time) by twisting the distributer body. Does this work with a volvo? if so, how do you loosen the distributer? Where should it be set to? My manual (Haynes) only tells how to time it with the engine running... no help if its possibly off to the point it wont run...

It smells like its flooding (?) it was idling high before the timing belt business. I'm playing with the (dont know it's name) (link rod with nuts at each end that hooks the throttle pulley to the microswitch assembly on the carburator) in an attempt to drop the idle speed...is there another way to drop the idle speed? I'm under the impression that the electronics should be doing this, all my connections are tight and dielectric greased well. its a CIS system, if that matters...
Thank you for continuing to help me :)
Delphine

The distributor has to be moved quickly because of the varable reluctance (Transformer action) type pickup. Best you can do is line up the rotor and four metal fingers.

I've done static timing on other cars... here's what I did:
Get the engine to where you want it to fire (~10BTDC) on #1 firing
Loosen the distributor body (bolt is located at the base of the dist toward the intake manifold
Remove the #1 plug wire, put it VERY close to, but not touching, ground
Rotate the distributor back and forth, notice the spark from the plug wire.
Retard the timing (the opposite direction from where the vac adv canister "points")
Advance it again, SLOWLY. As soon as you see the spark, that's it; tighten the bolt down.

Be careful not to electrocute yourself, do not ground it near fuel components, no smoking, do not run with scissors, etc.

I know enough about the CIS to be damn glad my '80 doesn't have it:-)

Kyle
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1980 242GT 197K, 1990 744Ti 113K