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doc hopper Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2006 Posts: 588 Location: California
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:44 pm Post subject: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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Could not find this particular question answered anywhere:
Distributor cap: the center electrode that contacts the rotor. When it wears flat, is the cap junk or can that one part be replaced? _________________ "Honesty hath no fence against superior cunning" |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34021 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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It shouldn't wear out unless you have arcing or a rough rotor.
You can probably CAREFULLY harvest it from another worn cap. |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76940 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24764 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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Wearing flat does not matter. Having the carbon brush still touch the rotor for good electrical contact does. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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AirHead1966 Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2019 Posts: 568 Location: Triad Area NC
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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A new cap costs $10. What is the point of rebuilding? |
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mukluk Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012 Posts: 7028 Location: Clyde, TX
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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AirHead1966 wrote: |
A new cap costs $10. What is the point of rebuilding? |
Not all caps are that cheap. _________________ 1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24764 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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AirHead1966 wrote: |
A new cap costs $10. What is the point of rebuilding? |
Not all caps only cost $10, especially if one is trying to keep the engine rebuilt to stock, even down to logo and color:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76940 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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I've sold quite a few NOS caps and they are expensive since they are not easy to find. But they are a "wear" item and if you drive your car, it will wear out... like having NOS break shoes.
When I sold a NOS cap, I also sold a new cap and told the customer to use the new cap for everyday driving and put the NOS cap on only for shows.
The carbon button isn't the only part that wears in a distributor cap. The contacts wear and corroded and you can get carbon tracts on the inside that will cause misfires.
New caps cost between $20-$30. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
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iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9829 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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Glenn wrote: |
When I sold a NOS cap, I also sold a new cap and told the customer to use the new cap for everyday driving and put the NOS cap on only for shows.
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A very good suggestion. |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76940 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:34 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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You're looking at $3000.. if I still had them.
You can buy a running beater for that price. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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heimlich VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 6621 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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Take a cheap no nothing cap and pull the spring out with the rotor button. They are all about the same. Every so often that little piece of carbon comes off the spring so make sure it is affixed well.
I think I had 100 or 120 of these to start with. They are definitely for shows. Drive around with a cheap one. That's what I do.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2492215
_________________ www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here) |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69829 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76940 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 2:22 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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EverettB wrote: |
Glenn wrote: |
You're looking at $3000.. if I still had them.
You can buy a running beater for that price. |
Is that 22 or more?
$3000/22 - $136 each, which doesn't seem right.
(Or I'm super rich) |
With a new cap, that's about right. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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heimlich VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 6621 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:03 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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EverettB wrote: |
$3000/22 - $136 each, which doesn't seem right.
(Or I'm super rich) |
Show off your treasure.
The Bosch orange ones are over $30 from the Bosch Warehouse. _________________ www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here) |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69829 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:31 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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heimlich wrote: |
EverettB wrote: |
$3000/22 - $136 each, which doesn't seem right.
(Or I'm super rich) |
Show off your treasure.
The Bosch orange ones are over $30 from the Bosch Warehouse. |
Ok, I'll see if I can find the box for a pic. Most are not boxed like that, I bought a pile of loose NOS 36hp brown caps a long time ago at a show. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76940 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? |
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EverettB wrote: |
I bought a pile of loose NOS 36hp brown caps a long time ago at a show. |
Sell them to the 356 and 912 guys. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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