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Fri Nov 21, 2025 1:13 pm

Hey all.

I’m hoarding the parts need to do an upgrade to an alternator in my 1971 Ghia.

From reading and videos I see people needing to add a 10mm spacer to the carb. I can’t seem to find longer studs or extensions.

I’d really like it to be a Canadian source if possible. Can anyone advise?

Thanks.

Craig.

Fri Nov 21, 2025 2:44 pm

I have a 10mm spacer on my carburetor and installed these longer studs - purchased from the local VW machine shop.
Sorry - cannot help you with a Canadian source, other than Scott at German Supply (https://germansupply.com) located in Toronto. I am sure he could help !!

Fri Nov 21, 2025 3:02 pm

Any good hardware store should have M8x1.25 studs. They don't have to be made by VW... they're just hardware.

Fri Nov 21, 2025 4:34 pm

vwmerckx wrote: I have a 10mm spacer on my carburetor and installed these longer studs - purchased from the local VW machine shop.
Sorry - cannot help you with a Canadian source, other than Scott at German Supply (https://germansupply.com) located in Toronto. I am sure he could help !!

Thank you’ knowing the length is very helpful.

Fri Nov 21, 2025 4:34 pm

Glenn wrote: Any good hardware store should have M8x1.25 studs. They don't have to be made by VW... they're just hardware.

This was a big help.

Thank you.

Fri Nov 21, 2025 6:13 pm

Quote: M8x1.25 studs
can be made by cutting the 'head' off of a metric bolt 1 3/8" (35mm) long.

Fri Nov 21, 2025 6:30 pm

runamoc wrote: Quote: M8x1.25 studs
can be made by cutting the 'head' off of a metric bolt 1 3/8" (35mm) long.

I was wondering about that. The studs have the unthreaded part in the middle which I didn’t think was critical, but also I’m not well versed enough in this stuff to know for sure that they aren’t important in some way.

Fri Nov 21, 2025 6:39 pm

The unthreaded section is the set the depth that it's screwed into the carb flange. It's not needed.

Honestly if you can leave the head on and just screw it into the carb base.

Fri Nov 21, 2025 7:25 pm

Glenn wrote: The unthreaded section is the set the depth that it's screwed into the carb flange. It's not needed.

Honestly if you can leave the head on and just screw it into the carb base.

That just makes too much sense. Hahaha.

Sat Nov 22, 2025 8:16 am

Quote: just screw it into the carb base
in a way, length is more critical, especially on the rear mounting bolt..using bolts instead of studs for the fuel pump allows you to use a 'generator' style fuel pump with an alternator. It allows changing a 'generator' style fuel pump without having to lift up the alternator. BUT for some reason...'soft' metal 'things' use studs instead of bolts for mounting. I'm guessing pulling torque and twisting on the threads at the same time instead of just a pulling torque of a stud.

Sat Nov 22, 2025 11:22 am

runamoc wrote: Quote: just screw it into the carb base
in a way, length is more critical, especially on the rear mounting bolt..using bolts instead of studs for the fuel pump allows you to use a 'generator' style fuel pump with an alternator. It allows changing a 'generator' style fuel pump without having to lift up the alternator. BUT for some reason...'soft' metal 'things' use studs instead of bolts for mounting. I'm guessing pulling torque and twisting on the threads at the same time instead of just a pulling torque of a stud.

Interesting. I never thought of the pulling vs twisting AND pulling. I read 14ftlb of torque which I feel would be little stress on the threads.

My car already has an alternator style fuel pump so that one less thing to worry about.

On the subject of carbs. Are people using just paper gaskets? Just liquid gasket? Paper and liquid gasket? I’ve read all of these things.

Craig.

Sat Nov 22, 2025 11:45 am

Quote: just paper gaskets?
I use just the cardboard ones that come in the kit. Back in the day, would trace and cut out cardboard gaskets from the phonebook cover, backs of note pads, and cereal boxes. I can buy that stuff now. :wink:

Sat Nov 22, 2025 1:18 pm

runamoc wrote: Quote: just paper gaskets?
I use just the cardboard ones that come in the kit. Back in the day, would trace and cut out cardboard gaskets from the phonebook cover, backs of note pads, and cereal boxes. I can buy that stuff now. :wink:

Hahahha. Amazing. So the paper ones are fine then. Noted.