Distributor Question

[Johnny]

I have a dual port 1600cc endine with a vacuum advanced distributor that has been recalled. Does it really matter if I put a 009 distributor on?

[Karl]

Recall??? Huh? What recall are you referring to?

[[email protected]]

if you put the 009 distributor on your engine, you need to set the timing at 10 degrees advanced, as opposed to the 5 degrees retarded it is set a stock,, If it has the stock carb and it's the orig, as in german, you will not be able to set the idle low enough for specs. A brazilian carb will allow it though. Realize that setting the timing at 10 degrees from the 5 degrees retarced will raise the idle speed considerably and the german carb idle speed screw will not compensate for it.. you wont' get it below about 1500 rpm.

[VWSurvival]

I disagree.

The 009 should be set at total advance between 30 and 35 degrees (whatever you can do without pinging). Whatever it happens to be at idle is your "idle" setting for future tune-ups.

Proper setup of the carb will allow you to lower the idle enough to kill the motor. You start by turning the choke cam fast idle screw all the way out then back in until it just touches the choke cam and then in 1/2 turn.
Then the idle by-pass screw will give you the fullest range of adjustment.

A worn-out carb will have so much air by-passing the throttle bushes it will appear that the idle adjustment screw isn't working (and it will be a bear to get to consistantly idle nicely).

On the other hand, to make up for not having a vacuum advance you will find a stumble off idle that cannot be fully tuned out. raising the idle speed helps by putting the carb and distributor farther into the "run" area.

Better to do entirely is to go to your local parts yard and get a '74 and up SVDA type distributor (single vacuum, dual advance) out of a beetle or another bus. These have a vacuum advance and a centripetal advance and work very well.

Mike!