NZ never saw any new Volvo pre 240. My father bought the one I have new in South Africa, and he gave it to me shortly before migrating to NZ.

The purpose of the excercise is to do the timing curves in software rather than putting different mechanical parts together. So the air cooled VW engine distribute sounds good so far, and if I understand correctly it will fit mechanically? Fabricating a photo interrupter is very simple, even a hall effect set-up is OK. And I want to end with a coil per plug system or a wasted spark, so the cap will be just to keep dirt out.