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Tue Dec 16, 2025 12:50 pm

I've searched and searched and can't seem to find a distributor cap for this Bosch distributor and was wondering if anyone can point ne in the right direction that would be much appreciated . And the numbers on it are 0-231-115-078 & 113-115-078 which also says Jfur4 I've searched every combination of and can't find any that look like this with the same.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 1:34 pm

1969-70 Type 1 AT (automatic stickshift)
So not original to your Bus

Cap:
current designation:
03010

formerly:
Bosch 1 235 522 183
VW 113 905 074A

As found in:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/Bosch_Tune_Up_Parts/Bosch_Tune_Up_Parts.pdf

Tue Dec 16, 2025 1:38 pm

Autostick dizzy. There are a bunch of tech files with dizzy parts

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/Bosch_Tune_Up_Parts/Bosch_Tune_Up_Parts.pdf

is one. So at least you can ask for a part number.

HA- KTPhil beat me to it. Best advice: dump and get a better distributor. Post what motor/carb you have and someone with more knowledge than I will give some options.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:03 pm

CheapBusForSale wrote: I've searched and searched and can't seem to find a distributor cap for this Bosch distributor and was wondering if anyone can point ne in the right direction that would be much appreciated
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-03010-Distributor-Cap/dp/B000BYGDU6

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:04 pm

Thanks, I searched the number you gave of 03010 and formerly 1 235 522 183 and VW 113 905 074A and the only ones that come up look like this second picture with different notches

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:05 pm

Don't "dump" it, no doubt there's an autostick guy searching for the correct unit, talk to Bill at Sparxwerx , he has what you need and may even take it in on trade.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:07 pm

busdaddy wrote: Don't "dump" it, no doubt there's an autostick guy searching for the correct unit, talk to Bill at Sparxwerx , he has what you need and may even take it in on trade.

X2!

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:18 pm

Ha! - Yes, when I say "dump" I mean remove. Frankly, these days there aen't many VW parts I'd 'dump' unless they were broken in two... and not weldable.

Bill at SParxwerks may even take that diz in trade.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:39 pm

Yeah I do have other distributors but hoping not to replace this distributor as its been on my bus for 30 years thats been fine and not sure if any other the other one's are.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:46 pm

If it ain't broke...

I have found caps that have extra notches that still fit - some worked, some didn't. Height of cap/rotor and keeping firing order are all I watched for, but the pros on here will tell you if that's too simplistic. Do you have a local shop? They might have a pile of caps you can sort through.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 2:47 pm

The top picture is an aftermarket cap with aluminum contacts.

the bottom picture is a Bosch cap with copper contacts.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 3:55 pm

You could also check with VWNOS on the samba classifieds he may have that cap.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 3:59 pm

Bobs67vwagen wrote: You could also check with VWNOS on the samba classifieds he may have that cap.
Which the aftermarket one or the Bosch?

You can get the Bosch on Amazon and dozens of other vendors... it's very common.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-audi-mercedes...-cap-03010

Tue Dec 16, 2025 4:05 pm

CheapBusForSale wrote: Yeah I do have other distributors but hoping not to replace this distributor as its been on my bus for 30 years thats been fine and not sure if any other the other one's are.

I agree if it has been running fine then you won't damage anything by continuing.

The auto distributors seem to have slightly quicker initial centrifugal advance (though ending up with the same at higher rpms); but the auto has about 3-4 degrees less total vacuum advance.

Here are the curves for manual and automatic on the Type 3 cars of that era; I am guessing the relative differences between manual and automatic are similar:

Some more info:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668960&start=0

Tue Dec 16, 2025 5:43 pm

What do you think of this one I found on ebay? It looks like the notches are the same.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/157375846496

Tue Dec 16, 2025 5:57 pm

KTPhil wrote: CheapBusForSale wrote: Yeah I do have other distributors but hoping not to replace this distributor as its been on my bus for 30 years thats been fine and not sure if any other the other one's are.

I agree if it has been running fine then you won't damage anything by continuing.

The auto distributors seem to have slightly quicker initial centrifugal advance (though ending up with the same at higher rpms); but the auto has about 3-4 degrees less total vacuum advance.

Here are the curves for manual and automatic on the Type 3 cars of that era; I am guessing the relative differences between manual and automatic are similar:

Some more info:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668960&start=0
The main issue with bug distributors in bus is the bug curve anticipates the faster acceleration of a lighter car, too much advance while the bus is still struggling to reach speed. It may work and not burn things out, but the bus distributor provides a better pull in the low and midrange.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 6:00 pm

CheapBusForSale wrote: What do you think of this one I found on ebay? It looks like the notches are the same.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/157375846496
Aluminum contacts, no bueno

Tue Dec 16, 2025 8:10 pm

As above the tune up parts are actually quite common. For example the distributor cap and rotor are the most common used from 1968 onwards; the same as used on the ubiquitous 009. So common that you need to be careful that you are getting good quality with brass or copper contacts. There are lots of cheap poor quality “professional” grade out there. The same can be said for the points.

Keep in mind that this cap was in use on VW’s for a full decade. It was also used on other makes. Looking at the notches on the cap rim isn’t the best way
to choose a cap. Honestly, I’d stick with the distributor you’ve got. It’s German Bosch and the NOS vacuum canisters are still common.

You should also consider the classifieds on this site for tune up parts. In many cases the parts are NOS which is particularly important with condensers as new ones are of notoriously of poor quality. There are even caps available ending in 183 which means they are the original dark brown caps that were superseded in 1971.

Wed Dec 17, 2025 4:56 am

I suggested looking for NOS as I thought the OP wanted a GERMAN Bosch cap. I guess I just misread the post-oh well sorry about that.

Wed Dec 17, 2025 7:19 am

This is my cheat sheet for tune up parts. It covers the most common distributors.