Not having much luck with the ol 70 145. Hate to admit it, but am sorry I ever started on this project. Reward vs cost/work ratio is way out of wack. Engine had been rebuilt by previous owner with volvo parts about 10 years but only 20k miles ago. Quality of rebuild is dubious, since I had to have the head thoroughly worked over again recently.

All of a sudden it starts running like crap. Power is way off. Cranking is irregular (uneven compression). It pops and farts with regular backfires through the carb. I was able to drive it home from where the wife left it for dead, but it was touch and go. Obviously there is something seriously wrong. Would this be symptomatic of a cam gear tooth loss? Strip another couple of teeth and get piston-valve collisions and have the damn engine really go to pot?

I haven't started pulling it apart (again). Thought maybe y'all might give me some tips.

Thanks for any pointers or consolation !
Later,
Al