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Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:27 am

Zundfolge1432 wrote: My friend Cuss has been running same points and condenser since the 70s.
For the record: I have been running two German 009 distributors in my two VWs since the 1970s but the points have been replaced periodically, just not the condensers.

The distributors have not been apart or rebuilt.

I would say if replacing/setting points and checking/adjusting ignition timing is a tough task for someone, don't even try to do a valve adjustment, brake adjustment, etc. Such person is NOT a good candidate to drive/maintain/own a 50-year-old VW.

Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:32 am

I've had the same Pertronix in the same SVDA Bosch distributor since 2002. Also, just to be contrarian, I also have hydraulic lifters and 4 wheel discs. These cars can be relatively maintenance free if you so choose.

IF, the pertronix ever goes I have a cell phone and a AAA membership and would probably switch to 123. I have a 123 in my Citroen with 150k miles on it and it's never failed.

Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:49 am

All righty then. We sure have some passion on this topic. I ordered the parts I need from VW NOS, and I ordered a Compufire kit as suggested by vamram. Now on Christmas morning I'll be happiy rebuilding my 205 M with a smiling Mrs. Jimbug by my side. What fun! I've always been curious about electronic ignition in my bug. Now I'll be able to try for myself.

And just for the record, I can swap a distributor on the side of the road in the dark in a blizzard before any of you can do anything inside your distributor much less find a number for a tow truck - I'll be long down the road. And fyi I scribe a timing mark at the base of all my distributors. I've been doing that on these 205 M's with points in 'em for what, 50 years now.

I guess I could buy a box of points and condensers instead with the $120 I spent on the Compufire, but it wouldn't be nearly as much fun Christmas morning.

Thu Nov 11, 2021 2:05 pm

Jimbug57 wrote: I've always been curious about electronic ignition in my bug. Now I'll be able to try for myself.

Call me when you've been driving a VW for 49 years like I have.....

By the way: quite a few nice people call me every week to see if I want to extend my car's warranty.....

Thu Nov 11, 2021 2:33 pm

I run a stock distributor with a back up Petronix under the hood. Last year the mount plate for the points broke on my distributor while I was driving. The Petronix got me home. Run what YOU want to run.

Thu Nov 11, 2021 3:17 pm

As I have learned in my 50 years around the sun, as we age our memories become somewhat “filtered”, kind of like the people that tell you they used to pull out their 300 lb Vw engine in a parking lot while resting it on their chest, while a buddy rebuilt it, or they have had the same set of points running for 50 years! Maybe it’s true, but not likely. The older we get, the less likely we are to embrace change, be it technology or whatever… I’m guilty of this to a degree, but I do like new innovations. In closing, I will roll the dice on my electronic module in lieu of points and keep adjusting my own valves, but if I have any questions I know who to call about my beetles car warranty!😙

Thu Nov 11, 2021 5:00 pm

I thought I read the answer to the original question in one of these post :-k

I run Pertronix replacement points in the 72 bus because it’s a pain to adjust points in the in the bus. However in the 74 bug. I run quality points. Super easy to deal with points in a bug. And yes. I keep spare points in bug. I also keep a spare Pertronix replacement in the bus. I was given the Pertronix module and spare for the bus. I still favor points and condenser overall. But seriously. Experiment and explore. Part of the fun running these old VWs.

Thu Nov 11, 2021 5:17 pm

As above, point being that points and condenser are no issue at least not for me. To the OP there are at least four different "205 M's ' used by VW over the years. The 205 is VW code for "distributor"- all 305 different versions. 111 905 205 M, 113 905 205 M, 311 905 205 M, 043 905 205 M. I was not able to determine which you had in order to answer your original inquiry. Glad others took a stab at it.

Thu Nov 11, 2021 5:29 pm

Cusser wrote:
Call me when you've been driving a VW for 49 years like I have.....

Don't you mean:

Or maybe:

Thu Nov 11, 2021 5:31 pm

I think Cussers phone uses points and condenser!

Thu Nov 11, 2021 6:06 pm

Airstream65 wrote: I think Cussers phone uses points and condenser!

Just kidding Cuss

Thu Nov 11, 2021 7:35 pm

Cusser wrote:

People - that's my REAL phone. Cost me $7 shipped with battery and 2 chargers. I can make calls and receive texts; sending texts takes me a while. No pictures, or picture taking capabilities. Recommended by hit men world-wide !!!

Thu Nov 11, 2021 8:41 pm

Cusser wrote: I would say if replacing/setting points and checking/adjusting ignition timing is a tough task for someone, don't even try to do a valve adjustment, brake adjustment, etc. Such person is NOT a good candidate to drive/maintain/own a 50-year-old VW.

Agree
You have to be able to do these things, or at least know someone that can, and at a moments notice.
Otherwise, you won't be driving and enjoying the ride, you will be damaging it or stuck on the side of the road.

As far as electronic ignition, they are convenient and more modern trigger
However, I prefer points to trigger the coil.

Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:25 pm

Cusser wrote:

I would say if replacing/setting points and checking/adjusting ignition timing is a tough task for someone, don't even try to do a valve adjustment, brake adjustment, etc. Such person is NOT a good candidate to drive/maintain/own a 50-year-old VW.

How can someone know how to drive a manual transmission but not know how to do this stuff

Fri Nov 12, 2021 2:14 am

sb001 wrote: Cusser wrote:

I would say if replacing/setting points and checking/adjusting ignition timing is a tough task for someone, don't even try to do a valve adjustment, brake adjustment, etc. Such person is NOT a good candidate to drive/maintain/own a 50-year-old VW.

How can someone know how to drive a manual transmission but not know how to do this stuff
Is that why you have an autostick?

Fri Nov 12, 2021 4:23 am

Just my opinion, with the quality of points.. well specifically condensers I have been able to get lately I decided to switch to pertronix on my '75 and am very glad I did. New proper coil to go with it and it idles smoother than ever. If your worried about a failure screw the points...carry an extra module. They aren't that expensive in the grand scheme of owning an old car

Fri Nov 12, 2021 5:37 am

MuzzcoVW wrote: Just my opinion, with the quality of points.. well specifically condensers I have been able to get lately I decided to switch to pertronix on my '75 and am very glad I did. New proper coil to go with it and it idles smoother than ever. If your worried about a failure screw the points...carry an extra module. They aren't that expensive in the grand scheme of owning an old car autistic?
NOS condensers are available in the classified for not much more than new.

The condenser on my 010 is 50 years old and I've been using it for 14 years.

Fri Nov 12, 2021 5:54 am

Glenn wrote: MuzzcoVW wrote: Just my opinion, with the quality of points.. well specifically condensers I have been able to get lately I decided to switch to pertronix on my '75 and am very glad I did. New proper coil to go with it and it idles smoother than ever. If your worried about a failure screw the points...carry an extra module. They aren't that expensive in the grand scheme of owning an old car autistic?
NOS condensers are available in the classified for not much more than new.

The condenser on my 010 is 50 years old and I've been using it for 14 years. Autistic, what? Yes I was running old condensers for a while however after seeing whats being sold as new for points compared to the old ones I decided to switch. I don't have a problem with using them, just didn't want the hassle of mixing and matching what's still reliable.

Fri Nov 12, 2021 7:26 am

Go ahead and convert to a pointless system. I am from the last century so I am stucj with points. When travelig is involved I carry a fuel pump, coil, and oh wait a German 009 distributor complete with clamp. That way if it is a distributor related problem I swap it out. The swapped distributor is already set and timed. That is why the clamp is on it.
What ever works and you are comfortable with.

Fri Nov 12, 2021 10:34 am

Pertronix used to have a drop down on their website where you could pick your distributor and it would tell you which kit to get. Call the number on their website and provide them with your distributor number. There are two numbers on your distributor: a Bosch one and a VW one. Ask them which one they need. They should then be able to tell you the kit to order.