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Greg Schoolbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2024
Posts: 36
Location: Central California
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 Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
You want heat to get into the manifold from the heads and the thick phenol gaskets like you are already running will greatly lessen the heat. There are two holed gaskets (use two per side, so four total) that were sold for use with the stock dual carbs. A liquid gasket maker that can handle gasoline would be good here as it will let more heat through than any gasket will.
This isn't hard to do, and I wouldn't recommend it to a novice unless he was sure he needed to rejet his carb, but if you disable the power valve in the carb, tuning these carbs becomes much much easier as the power valve is just not needed or even wanted in the Type 4 application. If you do decide to rejet your carb get back to me and I will try to walk you through it. I have been running without a power functional power valve for 20ish years at this point and see no reason to go back to using it. Many aftermarket carbs for VW aircooled applications come without power valves and some aftermarket carbs for VW's actually use reverse power valves which do exactly the opposite of what the standard power valve does, so I am certainly not the first to see a problem with running power valves on these engine. |
I am just reading this. Wishing I hadn't ordered those Jbugs gaskets. I'll PM you, Wildthings, and I would be super grateful if you would tell me more about running without the power valve. I'm not in this for power lol
Any advice that would make the execution more fail safe for an amateur like me sounds perfect. I aint proud, I just want this thing to run well.
_________________
1974 Transporter
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: "The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed." |
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Wasted youth
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012
Posts: 5173
Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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| Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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[quote="Greg Schoolbus"]
| busdaddy wrote: |
Man, this forum is pretty amazing.  |
It really is! Just try to avoid getting caught shoplifting cheese sticks or showing us your fiberglass battery door.
https://youtu.be/snckhUVo8XU?si=NBJ_7CtbDKkGQuG1 |
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Greg Schoolbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2024
Posts: 36
Location: Central California
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| Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 10:10 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| I would replace the condenser on the distributor. The poor quality today of those makes them suspect when the ignition is doing strange things. Probably I would replace it with one of these: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHEP433 The page may say alternator or ignition condenser but it is an ignition condenser. |
I feel like Rocky on the steps in Philadelphia lol
I took the distributor out and set it on the bench. Got the new condenser you suggested installed, re set the points gap. Used the dielectric grease. Put it back in and set the timing. Now it's running like a champ. I'm still holding my breath a little that it will start acting up again, but also so excited to have seemingly tackled this problem.
I know for you guys around here, it's just another day in the life. But for me, it was pretty satisfying. In every project, there seems to be a low point where you wonder how you'll figure it out. Always feels good to stand up on the other side.
SGKent, I thank you for your help. You nailed it.
Everyone else here who chimed in, this was a great initiation into seeking help on this forum. What a great place.
_________________
1974 Transporter
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: "The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed." |
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SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42044
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Ignition problems |
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now fix that vacuum leak and make it even better 
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
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