Points

[Wildthings]

The more expensive Bosch 01 030 points were the first I ever had fail prematurely. The properly lubed wear block cracked in less than two thousand miles. Caught it before it actually failed completely but that was too close. Bosch just doesn't seem to care anymore, I no long buy several of their products I used to swear by.

[raygreenwood]

It really depends in the product Line.

Their spark plug quality....of the designs that are for our cars are still excellent.

Their injectors and fuel system components still excellent.

Their power tools.....just awesome!

In fact.....I just received a new Bosch JS470E jigsaw which is far and away rated as the top saw on the market (better be because Bosch literally invented the hand held electric jigsaw).....and its still made in Switzerland. Just got out of the garage cutying 1/4 mild steel plate......and it cuts it like butter with Bosch progressor blades.

I have a Bosch angle grinder and oscillating tool that are just bulletproof, balanced and run like a top.

I think that overall....Bosch is like any other stupendously huge company. When a given product that is low margin/low cost in the first place.....is really on the volume decline but is in fact a product so linked to their very name......they produced the very first full kit breaker point ignitions to replace the automotive magnetos they mage their name on. ......they relegate it to their most cost effective low volume production lines. Read that as third world.

I am bettjng that the move from phenolic rubbing blocks is largely due to sourcing easier to find local materials. Phenolic plastic.....it its cut and ground is nasty, hard on tools and requures significant air and worker protection. If its molded...that venue requires high dollar care and maintenance. A molded nylon-esque replacement....for the limited market left.....wiuld "seem" to be a smart alternative......Ray

[airschooled]

[raygreenwood]

[60's Burnout]

Forty years ago, I could run a set of points for 60K miles, the condenser I never changed in 155K and 13 years. I was a dealer tech and would bring my Rabbit into my bay and a couple of minutes on the scope, I could see everything was kosher, so I kept on running it.

[Vanapplebomb]

I havent replaced any Bosch points with new Bosch points. It appears that Bosch has changed some of the materials they use for the sake of economy. One example is the rubbing blocks. The new material seams to wear faster than the originals, and I found that they needed to be adjusted more frequently. Wells makes replacement points that drop right in and are still made to original specs as far as I can tell. Thats what I use at least...

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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[Tom Powell]

Pitting and the final solution.

It gives me a bit of satisfaction to smash bad points.
But the pitting was probably caused by a bad condenser.

Aloha
tp

[1970bay]

wow My points are six years old with almost 60,000 miles on them

There still fine but ive been wondering if i should change them for an electronic system??Then no worry about points,condenser ..

The only reason i havent bought one is because i dont know how to fit it & have to buy to try. Plus its running really well.Also i think i would need a new coil leads .......

I was told ages ago that a plug gap that to wide would cause the outlet valves to burn Electronic ignition doubles the gap???Dosnt it?
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Travels with my camper:
http://flickr.com/photos/30879804@N08/

Built in 1971 The engine was changed from 1600cc to a 1972 flat 1700cc engine in 1974 otherwise nothings been changed std twin vw carbs

[raygreenwood]

That blue streak part # I posted fit type 3 and type 4. I think I have installed the same set in 009 and in most basic dual port engines.

The part # cross matches to Bosch 1 237 013 092 (092 tiger stripe points) and Bosch 1 237 013 044.

Unless they have changed in the last decade....and they may have....I found them to be of just OK quality. No major failure issues in the few sets I used....but they look and feel cheap.

However the rest of the ignition parts for VW....cap and rotor. ...had decidedly poor fit as compared to Bosch.....but they were much better than Borg Warner ignition parts for VW.

The other reason I went to SMP standard and blue streak points is that all of my usage was on high compression 411 and 412. I found much better ignition at highway speeds by going to a coil of the correct resistance but much higher voltage. Weak or just adequate points did not last long. Ray

EDIT: I meant to say that the Wells points I have used look and feel a bit cheap as compared to Blue-Streak.

[Jeff Geisen]

This is the 21st century, men have walked on the moon, the internet has been developed, lasic surgery takes minutes, etc., etc. Buy a Pertronix and be done with it. 60k on one set of points? Just sayin', seems like some kind of world's record.

I live on property with a creek flowing through part of it, there is a nice swimming hole there maybe 20 yards from the back door of my home. I could take my laundry down there and swirl it around and grind the items on a washboard and get 'em fairly clean in a couple of hours or so then hang them out to dry.

However, I have one of those new-fangled 'lectric washin' machines and a clothes dryer too!

The latter angle of attack costs a bit more than doing the laundry at the creek but I try to do things the easy way and save time where I can.

Points are archaic and antiquated, primitive, un-reliable as well as frustrating.
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I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

[cdennisg]

[Tcash]

So I take it that no one has experienced any problems with Bosch points recently.
Good to know
Tcash

[Mark70baja]

I've had three sets of Bosch points fail on my 82 over the last year or so. Each time same story. Arc, Pitt, Arc, Weld, Done. This is why I'm trying so hard to find an electronic conversion.

I've been going back and forth with Pertronix and a few internet companies. Pertronix says they don't offer and don't recommend using "ANY" of their distributors or conversion kits in "ANY" air cooled Vanagon 2.0 liter fuel injected engines. "They will not interface with the Vanagon Fuel Injection System."

Meanwhile, Fred, at the Bus Depot, tells me that the Pertronix unit will work, but it has a different advance curve, so it won't be ideal. In other words it'll bolt in, but won't operate as it's supposed too. Advance curves too different.

Timing is something that needs to be dead on and the products used to do this need to be compatible.

I know folks say the Pertronix units work, but finding anyone who has actually themselves, installed and used one with a 2.0 FI engine, has proven to be not so easy. I haven't been able to find anyone.

Guess it's time to start trying other manufactures products.
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Try talking yours ideas up, without talking other peoples ideas down. Everyone stays much happier that way.

82 Vanagon with ASI Full Camper Conversion, 2010 Jeep Rubicon

[Wildthings]

[Tcash]

[raygreenwood]

[Amskeptic]

[Glenn]

[Wildthings]

[raygreenwood]