i have an 1979 carburettor model 244DL with 340,00kms on.

the only problem it has is very long cranking, slow to start when cold.

the motor fires after a few minutes (!) cranking, and then runs for about
two or three seconds only. Depressing the throttle even the tiniest amount
kills any willingmess to fire / run at all.
its as if the auto-choke isn't working or the fuel pump isn't working.
After several short three second runs at idle speed, on cranking there is then
fuel charge in each cylinder, and the motor attempts to fire on each cylinder
but only very weakly, way too lean....... so lean in fact that the fuel charge
is so slow to burn it will occasionally backfire.

is failure of the autochoke likely..or a common thing...or perhaps is it more likely
the fuel pump?
or something else entirely.
i have never before owned a Volvo, but already i have respect for the way
it is in most all respects.. very different !

thanks, john