Hello,
This is my first post here but I've been checking in here from time to time over the past year. Purchased a 1970 Volvo 145 about 2 years ago. It's been a FANTASTIC little car and have had very minor issues with it.

Recently, my girlfriend and I went to town in it so we could stretch it's legs a bit. It normally stays parked in the garage and goes out a few times a week. She loves driving it and while it always runs fine, it has taken her a bit of getting used to starting these older cars...especially with a choke.

So we're leaving, she got in the car and the first time she turned the key it chugged slightly and died. No biggie as it happens quite often as she tends to release the key way too quickly. She turns it over again and a REALLY loud backfire occurs....I mean, very loud! I thought something blew up under the hood.

Everything checked out ok and nothing looked out of place, so I had her turn it over again and it was cranking with no signs of catching. Gave it a minute and had her try it again and this time, it sounded like there was some muffled backfiring happening within the exhaust.

Ended up towing the car back home and had a friend come to look at it. Discovered that the housing where the distributor meets the drive gear shattered into 4 or 5 peices and the top of the drive gear was half sheared off.

I have been unable to locate a new drive gear and distributor hub. I tried contacting SwedishClassics.com but they are on vacation/holiday till the 24th of this month. Any other recommendations on places to contact?

Thanks in advance for any and all information. I enjoy this Volvo as people always ask about anytime we go out in it.

-W