Distributor issue/question

[tasb]

[Glenn]

I have to agree with Tim. Most VW people aren't willing to spend $200+ on a quality distributor.

So they make what the public want... Cheap crap.
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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"

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[hazmatty3614]

I just quit for the day. The motor will not turn over now. Cranks and cranks. Occasionally I hear a little pop while cranking. After it stalled on me when giving throttle that was it. Won’t turn over since.

[tasb]

Sounds like your engine is "cranking", as in "turning over". What it's not doing is "catching" or "firing'. That pop you hear usually indicates there is spark and fuel but may not be at the correct time or amount.
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1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[hazmatty3614]

Yes correct. Weird. It was running ok at idle finally, then stalled. Now it won’t run.

[fes]

[c21darrel]

[fes]

[hazmatty3614]

Advice via pm led me to check the valve positions and it appeared I was way out. I corrected it and timed it to 7.5 BTDC on the #1 cylinder.

I then observed my fuel tank was almost empty so I took the opportunity to replace the inline filter and the hose. I used a 3’ run of hose and moved the filter all the way to the left fender behind the battery.

I put 5 gallons in the tank and began to crank it and it was popping a little then the battery died. The filter only got to half full. I’m hoping after a charge I can crank it long enough to get the fuel line full and fire the engine.

So much tinkering. I just want it to run right!

[heimlich]

Don't worry about the level you see in the filter.

If you want to verify the carb is getting fuel you can check the fuel line after the pump.

If you just want the car to start spray some carb cleaner down the throat of the carb or a cap full of gas.

Many things can make it pop including timing and exhaust leak. You should at least be able to get it running.

Focus on one thing, check it, verify it, and then move on. The final item in your checklist should be the timing and carb adjustment.
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[hazmatty3614]

Over the weekend I re-seated the svda dist and removed and replaced all the wires. Static timed to 7.5* BTDC. It fired right up and idled ok at 1000rpm.

The issue remains that I must just barely press the accel pedal or it will stall. I got some good advice about getting the Chinese carb off and I believe I am going with an Empi 34 PICT 3.

I’m really hopeful that this will play nicely with my svda.

I’m afraid to drive the car with it stalling on take off.

[Glenn]

Sure sounds like a fuel problem.

Chinese carbs are suspect. I've found all sorts of crap in the fuel bowl right out of the box.
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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

[hazmatty3614]

Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this. Many messages about a carb issue. I'll replace it and report back.

[Glenn]

Buy a rebuilt from Tim.

http://www.volkzbitz.com/
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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

[c21darrel]

[fes]

I'm indifferent on Empi carbs for the most part..searches (Samba forums and others) show that Empi has really stepped up their game the last few years..
I absolutely love my HPMX 40's and researched reviews and talked to others before pulling the trigger..
EuroMax and the like, I'd stay away from for sure,which is probably what you have now..
I put a new rebuilt engine in a Beetle this summer for someone,He had a rebuild carb on his blown engine from Volksbitz..after the new install,The car ran like shit..why? ALOT of reasons.. None I can see is Tim's fault, just perhaps mismanagement from the car owner.

#1 The car sat for a year with regular gas,not stabilized
#2 The tank was so full of flaky rust at the outlet,made it's way down the line
#3 There was a small air leak at the dime sized blank at the rear of the carb..facing you right under the advance inlet..small dab of JB fixed that
#4 Cleaned the jets,cleaned crap out of the bowl
# Small chunk of bakelite insulation at the choke element was broken off inside,hindering the spring to work properly.
#5 Small air leak at base of carb
#6 Small air leak at silicone intake manifold boot (These suck literally)

Only after I completely dissembled the carb and ran it through a sonic cleaner bath a couple of times,did it get to at least 90% good running order..the internal idle circuit was probably dirty and varnished.

I took my trusty Mexican made Bocar off of my Bus and put the rebuilt/rebuilt Solex on there, It ran pretty good, but not as good as it did with my old Bocar..so there ya go..still not perfect,but I'll strip it again in the spring..

I don't know what the status of Bocar is these days, hit and miss..mine is 17 years old and bulletproof..

If this was my decision in your place,I'd say buyer beware in any case..The difference being if I did run into problems like I mentioned earlier (broken choke element etc.leaking blank, and I must reiterate!, that this likely happened after it was shipped) You can contact someone directly that makes it their business to ensure satisfaction..

I'm not sure where you're located OP Hazmatty3614,perhaps add the location to your avatar, but is there anyone in your VW community that you can beg,borrow or steal a known good pict-34 for a test before you start throwing money at a car that ran poorly even before you bought it?
-Good Luck!
-Matt
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[Paul70Ghia]

Empi have obviously had quality issues judging by other posts but they're certainly not all bad. I fitted a 34 pict3 two years ago and, with minimal set up, it's run fine ever since. With a repro svda distributor it performs as well as I'd expect a standard engine to and averages about 40 mpg (imperial) which I'm more than happy with.

[heimlich]

Don't buy the EMPI carb.

Buy a rebuilt or Mexican Bocar.
_________________
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)