Hello, I've probably asked this before in the forums over the years, but my info needs to be refreshed. Anyone know where I can find a decent cam for a B30F, IPD no longer has any. I was hopingfor a K grind, but under the circumstances, anything with lobes would be nice.

I've got a pair of usable B30 cams and I talked with the people at isky cams and they said they'd be happy to grind out a new grind on a good core. I've actually got a whole motor that I'm not sure what to do with -- it's got good pistons and new rings and bearings and no cam or head. I should probably just strip the stuff that's good off of it and use that stuff on a B20 and throw the rest away. Anyhow, I'd be happy to send you one of my spare cams. Where do you live?
c

Hi. I've got a '75 164 (49-state, non-catalytic converter) that I've been fixing up (IPD sway bars, Rally/GT Instrument Panel, etc.), but it has the B30 engine with the notorious worn camshaft-lifter problem. If you've got a good camshaft, I'd appreciate your keeping me in mind, too. To discuss this off-list, email me at
Volvo164NJ@aol.com
at your convenience. Thanks very much.
Ken Crossner

They all come with "C" cams. I've got an IPD street perf in mine but I had
to send them a core before they could get it ground and that was probably
about 9 years ago. Ian Rankin in Canada might know where you can get
better ones other than KGTrimning in Sweden. John Parker might also have
a line on cam grinders.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Central US

I too have questions about the whereabouts of a B30 performance camshaft!
I have just started a new Yahoo Group called HPVolvos, here is the link:
"http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/HPVolvos/"
Maybe we can all get together and swap parts, resources and tips on our beloved Volvo Classics!
-John (1970 164 - 225k, 1971 164 - 400k original non-rebuilt engine!)

Hi. I think I had tried to get to a Yahoo site once before (another subject), and as I recall they wouldn't let you in unless you "joined" by giving them all sorts of personal information about yourself. IMHO, too instrusive! I'm sorry you didn't pick a different site -- I would have liked to participate, and learn more.

The "aftermarket" forum of this site was established for that purpose but
I quit checking it some time back because it had almost entirely gone
to ohc content and practically nothing about pushrod engines.
(also it was almost consumed by wheels, gewgaws and sound systems, none
of which were of interest to me)
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Central US

I don't stock them due to no demand, but can usually get B30 cams in about 10 days.
3 stock including the K and 5 performance cams available.
I can have one here by next week.

John
V-Performance.com

Hi John,

Care to post some lifts & durations of the above mentioned cams for the Technocrats amongst us. :) I know it's fairly meaningless info but I'd just like to know what blows your hair back on the other side of the Pacific.

Cheers,
Paul.

re: "...can usually get B30 cams in about 10 days. 3 stock including the K and 5 performance cams available...."

John. That's great news. I will e-mail you (jparker3@twcny.rr.com, right?)separately to order (it will be from my Volvo164NJ@aol.com e-mail address), but I have a couple of easy questions, and maybe it will benefit others as well to share them here:

Basically, I have to confess that I have only a limited knowledge of the benefits and drawbacks of the different grinds (e.g., I know that a lot of folks the OHC engines like to upgrade to the VX cam that I've heard about, but that's not a choice here), but since you have several varieties to offer, I naturally need to pick which one I want. Can you please advise, as I don't know any of the characteristics of the K that you mentioned, or the others.

Relevent information:
1) this is for a '75 164 with automatic, and it's the 49-state (non-California) version that doesn't have a catalytic converter or the restrictor for leaded gas.
2) I find that it has good acceleration as soon as it hits 3,000 rpm, but is a 'dog' under that, so naturally I'd like to get more acceleration in the lower part of the band without loosing too much (or any, if possible) at the upper half.
3) Another thing I want is to keep the fabulously smooth idle -- one of the reason I love straight sixes (I've got two old M-Bs with I-6s, an '84 2.8 M110 and a '90 3.0 M103) -- so I don't want a cam that will turn it all 'lumpy' like a lot of hot cams tends to do.
4) I'm also going to refinish the head a bit, and this will no doubt up the compression ratio a tad, but I don't want to get into the levels where I have to watch out for ping on high test.
5) Finally, and unfortunately most important, I am subject to emission testing, so I need something that won't raise my emissions too much.

So, would you recommend sticking with the OEM cam, or is there an alternative grind that would give me a little more, considering the above goals?
I appreciate your recommendation, and I'll contact you during the week.

Regards,
Ken

Any idea how I can contact these folks?

I talk to IPD before my original post, their problem is that they can't find any blanks for the B30 cam.
I'd forgotten KG Trimning.. As difficult as their site is, it looks like they may be another option. Other than Volvo Sweden.

My KgTrimning catalog lists stock B30 cams in C, K and P (marine) grinds. And their own gronds in KG10, KG17, KG19, KG6, and KG5 grinds, in increasing level of lift and duration, all more than the K.

Ian Rankin has a webpage that shows all kinds of different cams for
Volvos, comparing the specs. His page is at http://www.geocities.com/iadr1/geocitiesintro.html

There is a link to his e-mail address on the page.
He might have some knowledge of where they are available.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Central US

Just reading this...
Depends just how gone your lobe is and if it's just one, but I have had good luck with Delta Camshaft in Tacoma Washington for stock-ish regrinds. If more than one or two lobes have to be built up, it may get expensive.
For new cams, I think one of the best sources may be http://www.enem.se
I would go for one of his 260 (#k16), or better yet a special order 248 (#A10, IIRC). I am quite happy with the Enem cam I am using, but as discussed last month, I think there's another couple percent power likely to be had by domestically ground performance cams.
An A or C in stock cams would both be good.

Ian

Hi. I'm looking for a replacement cam for my B30, but while I'd like more power below 3,000 rpm (it's got plenty over this), I've got worry about emissions (my state's one that does a smog check).
What are the differences between the A and C cams that you mentioned, and which do you think is safe to install without putting my emissions over the top?
BTW, my car:
1975 164 (non-Calif., or a 49-state version -- i.e., without catalyst or leaded gas restrictor in the filler)
automatic transmission
[I'm in the process of restoring it: Rallye Instrument cluster, IPD antisway bars, 16" wheels, slotted brake rotors, high-beam Cibies in place of the horn grilles, and interior upgrades from later model 240s.]
Thanks.

The C is original, the A is slightly smaller. KG trimning will have both; I forget if Enem does stock grinds.
The smaller cam will give better low end power and less emissions, which sounds like it may be a better suit for you. IPd long recommended the A for 140 automatics, particularly with the latter lower compression. An A cam & slight raising of the compression by milling the head and/or block will make a great low end power combo

Yes, I agree, but, it should also be of note, that if you do indeed put in the A cam, you will lose some of that power that your car "has enough of" at the higher rpms... Peace, and good luck with your decision,
--
Kyle - attending Ore. State, while my lil 68 142 (74 b20, broken m40) sleeps... (check out my website, www.cardomain.com/id/kneedsacar

Thanks very much for clearing this up.
Regards.