TheSamba.com :: View topic - Correct Distributor cap part numbers for 1600 1972 beetle

Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:14 am

Hello,

I have wondered which distributor cap / part numbers are correct for a 1972 1600 bug distributor.

For example: ZVS74Z6 Is that one which would be fine?

I had researched 111 905 207 c but discovered that was only up to ‘68. Why is that?

Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:29 am

Because you might have the wrong distributor.

The 111 prefix is odd. Although what you guys got on that side of the pond was different in a lot of factors than what we got in the US.

If everything is running well, just get replacements for the distributor number you have, not what your year car calls for.

Edit:
Nevermind, that part number is the cap I think. Post the numbers on your distributor.

Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:24 am

It does get a little confusing and Bosch hasn't helped the situation. The first number you posted is an old version Bosch part number ( that had a system change in 1964) and the second is a VW part number for the very same part. Then in 1972 depending upon which car model you are shopping for (types I-IV) may change which distributor cap you need. You need to consider whether your car was a manual transmission or automatic determined differences in the cap because they may have used different distributors. As pruneman stated above, where you are on the planet also comes into play. Finally, even the color of the cap gave it a different part number!

111 905 207 C= VW# for 1964-1968 Types I-III and again for type III for 1971- 1973. Bosch # 03001 for USA. A ZVS74Z6 is the exact same part using the old Bosch part numbering system.

The distributors for a 1972 Beetle (type I) were:
VW# Bosch #
113 905 205 AL 0 231 146 101 non USA manual transmission
113 905 205 AM 0 231 115 094 non USA automatic trans
113 905 205 AN 0 231 167 070 USA manual transmission
113 905 205 AH 0231 167 053 USA automatic trans
no VW# 0 231 178 009 omnipresent after market never installed on a VW factory car
All of these distributors use cap # Bosch 1 235 522 056 VW # 03 010 from 1968-1971 cap Bosch # 1 235 522 183 VW# 113 907 207 A, same cap but dark brown color.

So as above which distributor do you have? They got moved around in the past fifty years. You need the part matching your distributor not the year of your car.

The 111 prefix indicates that the cap was originally installed on standard model VW's not for export but was later exported around the planet. This cap will actually fit and function on the early distributor VE 4 BRS 383 used from the late 1940's to early 1950's.

You did ask for clarification :wink: holy numbers Batman!

Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:40 am

jonat wrote: I have wondered which distributor cap / part numbers are correct for a 1972 1600 bug distributor.
Here are two references you can use...

From this site's Technical section:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/Bosch_Tune_Up_Parts/Bosch_Tune_Up_Parts.pdf

From the Type2.com site:
http://www.type2.com/~keen/ignition.html

In both cases match the model# from your installed distributor rather than the model year of your car/engine. This adapts for swapping out the OE distributor. Same thing for ignition timing adjustments... this should be set based on the model of the distributor installed and not the model year of your Beetle/engine... unless your distributor is the original distributor for your car/engine.

Tue Jul 20, 2021 12:32 pm

Dark brown ZVS74Z6 caps are actually pretty rare since the part was first used in 1964 distributors and in May of that year the Bosch part number system changed. Bosch of Brazil made the caps in black later on and chose to use the old part numbering system on them, an odd decision .

Wed Jul 21, 2021 1:23 pm

Hello,

thank you for your replies!

I currently have a 009 (0231 178 009) however I am looking to replace this with a VW 113 905 205AL (0231 146 101) distributor which seems to be correct for the '72 UK 1302s model, as you mentioned tasb.

Is there a difference between the 111 905 207c and 113-905-207/C? I have seen the 113 mentioned as the 03010 on some websites. I have seen the 111 as a brown cap but I guess i should leave that if it is for <'68 only.

Ultimately, I would like a brown cap for the original look, although that could be hard to source.

Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:09 pm

A 111 C distributor cap is the early short version. The 113 C cap is the later tall cap. Your 113 AL distributor uses the same cap as the "009" you have currently.

Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:40 pm

tasb wrote: All of these distributors use cap # Bosch 1 235 522 056 VW # 03 010 from 1968-1971 cap Bosch # 1 235 522 183 VW# 113 907 207 A, same cap but dark brown color.

I have talked about the 183 cap before, it's not quite exactly the same as the 056. It is close enough to interchange though. The 056 is just a bit taller overall. In both German and Brazil iterations.

This is a totally different short vs. tall than the 03001 vs 03010.