Electronic Points Conversion

[Jimbug57]

Wife said get my Christmas present ordered this weekend. I want to rebuild my back up 205 M distributor and convert it to Pertronix point/condenser replacement. Thanks to VW NOS I can still get washers/shims/felts.

Is this the correct Pertonix kit for my 205 M?

http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Pertronix-Points-Replacement-Kit-SVDA-and-Vac-Adv-p/1847v.htm

I will probably get a new 00-012 coil also, but I don't think I need it.

My currently installed 205 M works great. I rebuilt it a few years back. I'll use that one to replace a Bosch 009 I rebuilt that is my emergency box back up (had to use it once to get me home from out of state). I really want to try electronic points replacement, but I like the idea of traveling around with a spare points/condenser 205 M in case the Pertronix ever gives me trouble.
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Repeat after me "I am smarter than metal!"

[Cusser]

[lboos]

Even bad points will always get you home, those with bad electronic conversion's will end up walking.
Stick with the points.

[KTPhil]

I'll be a contrarian, but it's based on my experiences.

I am rebuilding my engine because it overheated during the last Type 3 Invasion, due to the mechanical advance mechanism breaking internally, forcing advance to 45 degrees in 120 degree heat on the drive home.

So issue number one is that I will carry a spare distributor anywhere I go now.

Issue number two is that the constant fiddling with the points hold down screw wears out the skimpy threads on the advance plate, leading to the need for a replacement plate, which I have but it's getting harder to find.

So my plan, once the engine is broken in with a stock distributor, is to install the 123 unit (including the the FI trigger point function and a solid state vacuum advance), so I never have to work a hold down screw again, and the advance should be reliable.

But just in case, I'll carry the complete stock (points) distributor as an on-the-road spare.

Some recommend a hotter coil with a resistor in place of the stock coil when using the 123 unit, something I'll also consider when that time comes.

[Airstream65]

I recently installed the Pertronix module in my 67, So far, I am pleased. Much better starting, cold and hot. My biggest problem with new points is the lack of quality. The part that contacts the distributor seems to wear down quickly. With all that said, I will carry p& c in the frunk, just in case!

[vamram]

JimBug -

I've been using CompuFire w/my bosch DVDA for 15k miles since April 2020. ZERO ISSUES. I toyed w/points for a couple hundred miles maybe at one point, for sh*ts & grins, ditched them pretty quickly. I use one on my '74 - at least until I parked it last year to rebuild the motor and other stuff, and will again when it's on the road again.

Also, although Compufire is now owned by Pertronix, I've had nothing but heartache w/every pertronix product i've ever used - points replacment left me stranded on the side of the road, Flame Thrower coil - lasted 6 months, SVDA distributor - vac can died w/in the year, centrifugal advance mechanism by itself is pure crap. I would use a CompuFire knock-off module before buying a Pertronix.

Victor
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'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
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[Cusser]

"Going pointless is pointless" - The Cuss


If one does not know how to install and set points, and then check/adjust the timing - my advice is NOT to own an old Volkswagen !!!
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Glenn]

If you can't gap the points then who's going to adjust the valve lash?
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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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עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[johneliot]

Here we go again. Ask 100 people and half will give you a different answer. Just do what you want. I’ve had a pertronix in my 69 for 10 years and never had a problem. All cars now have an electronic ignition. Just have AAA and who cares?
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John

There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress.
Mark Twain

69 bug - "The Grey Ghost"

[Glenn]

[Cusser]

[mukluk]

[Xevin]

What was the question?
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Keep on Busin'

[goober]

Go for it.

I've been running Petronix in my 205T's for over 20 years with no problems. From -20 deg F to over 100 deg F, no problem. Bumper to bumper to all day highway, no problem. I check my timing once a year, it goes nowhere, no problem.

It's not that I can't install or adjust points but who wants to? Three things in the electronic world (over the mechanical) I've yielded to:

Petronix for points

Bosch electronic voltage regulator for my generator

Electronic vibrator for my gas gauge

I still have sets of points, electro-mechanical regulators and old bi-metal strip vibrators laying around in boxes. I carry a spare distributor all timed and ready to drop in but I did the same with points.

Why fiddle around when you can be on your way in less than 5 easy minutes.

These electronic devices are not only better they make life easier.

[johneliot]

Never had to wait an hour for a tow truck. 30 minutes at the most.
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John

There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress.
Mark Twain

69 bug - "The Grey Ghost"

[Glenn]

[Meiang]

I installed a Magnetronic points replacement system 22 years ago. No issues. I haven't had to adjust the timing since. Just set and forget.
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[Zundfolge1432]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=281144&highlight=electronic+vs+points

Oh this is my favorite, just pull up a chair grab a snack and read this funny shit. All 35 pages and if you make it you’ll see nobody changed camps although the points replacement Cowboys all seem to carry spare points because on a subliminal level they know which way is less troublesome 😀

My friend Cuss has been running same points and condenser since the 70s. Although nobody will ever own up to it I suspect some of the older fellows get to the point where bending over to service a distributor becomes too much. They acquiesce to using the maintenance free way and trade off maintenance for convenience, it’s ok just own it don’t be ashamed. I’ve had points close up and make the car hard to start if fact this is one of the first things I’d check on a hard start complaint. We used to see this all the time and you could just file the points, set the gap, grease the rubbing block, oil the wick to go another couple of years. I bought a NOS SVDA about 10 years ago and just recently had to service it.

I’ve also had two outright failures of points replacement systems that gave no warning of trouble. Still for the cost you can buy multiple sets of points and condensors as opposed to one time purchase of electronic. I’m only talking about OEM distributors custom is a whole other ball game.

[Max Welton]

[Zundfolge1432]