1972 Type 4 distributor drive gear installation

[Aaron Cox CT]

Good afternoon all!

I am finishing up reassemble on the 1972 type 4 engine for my bus.


I have the bently manual and have also searched the sight and i think I have confused myself even more.

The engine is at #1TDC.

The distributor gear's "groove" that the distributor engages isnt centered. Looking in the bently manual i dont see any indication of which way the wider half circle should be...

Also looking at the bently manual the photos seem different then how ratwells post shows installing the gear. (Im guessing its just the perspective of the photos)

Which way should it be installed?

Or

Or neither?

As always thanks so much for all your help!

Aaron

[Aaron Cox CT]

Hmmmm So after looking at my distributor im thinking that this may be the correct orientation, the "little c" towards the flywheel?

I am running a vacuum assist distributor.

[kreemoweet]

Bentley Manual, Engine&Clutch section, page 24, fig. 8-2.
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'67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
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Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Aaron Cox CT]

But I cant figure out which way that photo is showing the off-center slot.

Does the bigger half go towards the flywheel or the fan?

[lil-jinx]

picture #2 looks correct ,the grove ,should go roughly from 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock ,
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1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy sold dec 2024

1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[Aaron Cox CT]

Ahhhh...that drawing really helped! THANK YOU!

And what manual is that!! Thats fantastic!!

This forum is the absolute best!

[lil-jinx]

tom wilson ,how to rebuild your vw air cooler engine.
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy sold dec 2024

1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[virusdoc]

Be sure the washers that go underneath that pinion drive are still in place. Ideally this installation is done with the case open (and then a distributor installed to keep it in place) so you can ensure they don't fall down into the case.
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1976 Convertible Super Beetle, "June Bug".
Self-rebuilt 1904
1976 Campmobile 2.0L FI, "Kermit"

[Willin]

You will notice the shaft turns a little as it drops down in.
Allow for that. The picture in the book shows installed position.
Make sure the washer/spacer doesn't fall off the bottom of the shaft. Use a blob of heavy grease to "glue" it to the shaft.
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73 bus. Org. 1700 with dual Weber 40 idfs, bus header with Empi qp muffler, CB magnaspark 2 " ready to run kit".

[Aaron Cox CT]

Thanks for all the tips! Here goes nothin'

I'll let you know how it goes!

A.

[Aaron Cox CT]

Whooo Hooo...I think it went as smooth as butter!

One more puzzle piece down!

Thanks all!

[Wildthings]

[germansupplyscott]