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Rebuild Distributor Cap?
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doc hopper
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:44 pm    Post subject: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

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?
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

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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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 2:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

Yes, it can be replaced.

Finding a replacement might be difficult without removing one from another cap.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHAL119?cid=paids...aw.ds&

https://brillman.com/product/american-bosch-mjk-magneto-cap-brush/

https://autofilippos.com/product/bosch-carbon-butt...butor-cap/
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

Wearing flat does not matter. Having the carbon brush still touch the rotor for good electrical contact does.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:31 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

A new cap costs $10. What is the point of rebuilding?
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

AirHead1966 wrote:
A new cap costs $10. What is the point of rebuilding?

Not all caps are that cheap.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:48 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

Eric&Barb wrote:
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

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.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:31 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

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.


A very good suggestion. Very Happy
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

You're looking at $3000.. if I still had them.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


You can buy a running beater for that price.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

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
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

Glenn wrote:
You're looking at $3000.. if I still had them.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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)
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 2:22 am    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

EverettB wrote:
Glenn wrote:
You're looking at $3000.. if I still had them.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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.
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heimlich Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:03 am    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

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.
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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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PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:31 am    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:48 am    Post subject: Re: Rebuild Distributor Cap? Reply with quote

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.
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