spark plug wires, distributor caps, chaos

[randalieren]

Endeavoring to replace the distributor cap, rotors, plugs, and wires for the first time on my 1984.5 1.9L WBX. Engine seemed to be firing OK, but there was no clear record of when all this was done last when I purchased the van last year.

Assuming (foolishly, of course), that everything was factory or OEM before I took anything apart, I asked my local Vanagon whisperers to get me the best plugs and cables for the model year. They delivered a Bosch early model distributor cap w/ the copper bushings inside:

and these STI cables:

with these pins:

When I went to do the job, I found that there was a newer model distributor cap with the pins in the cap:

And when I went to put the cables onto the plugs, I realized that the metal casing over the boots on the new cables won't fit into the plug seats. I went to compare them to the cables I had removed and realized that those cables, which are designed to go over the pins in the newer distro cap, don't have the metal casing over the plug boot at all.

So I'm left wondering:

1) Does the new-style distributor cap mean that it's an after-market distributor? Are the caps interchangeable?
2) Do I have the wrong cables for the old-style distributor cap? If so, why would the otherwise knowledgeable shop have sold me those cables with that distributor cap?
3) What's the deal with the metal casing on the boot? Are the plug holes larger on a 2.1L? Could I just take off the metal casing and put the rubber boot on without it?
4) Assuming at least one of these parts is wrong, is it better to keep the cables and get a new-style cap or keep the old-style cap and get different cables?
5) As always, what else am I missing?

Feel free to gently mock me. Just trying to learn.

Thanks!

[randalieren]

OK, I've figured out that my dumbest mistake is that I hadn't removed the screw-on nipple tips on the new plugs. Once I did that, the cables slide on and seat just fine.

The questions about the different distributor cap styles remain, though:

Are the caps interchangeable as long as you have the correct cables?

If so, is there any advantage to one over the other?

Do I have the correct pin type for the old-style cap?

[DanHoug]

you can switch to the newer style pin caps, yours likely came with a socket cap, i like the feel of the wire insertion better on the pin caps and pin wires. BUT... you MUST use the correct rotor with the correct cap. look at the listings of the vanagon vendors to get the correct part numbers.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Ahwahnee]

And while you're trying to get everything to match up... check your coil to see what you have there.

I have never encountered chaos doing this - just purchased the correct Bosch parts for my 84.

You said yours is an 84.5 - I do not know what that means.