Early Ghia Distributors

tasb · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:35 pm Post subject: Early Ghia Distributors

The earliest Ghia's used the same ignition distributor as the beetle, namely the VJU(R) 4 BR 8. These distributors are SVDA or single vacuum advance and mechanical advance.

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Starting in August 1959 the Ghia received a new distributor design.

The designation is ZV/JUR 4 R 1. this one is a vacuum only advance distributor. It was only installed from August 1959 to January 1960. It's a very unique distributor. It has a small diameter cast iron body but its shorter than the earlier Ghia distributor since it does not have advance weights inside. The design of the vacuum canister is very unique.

This distributor uses the same cap and rotor as the earlier distributors but the points and condenser are unique. It utilizes the same threaded vacuum line as the earlier distributors.

Beginning in February 1960 and running for a brief time until July 1960 the Ghia received a new design once again. This time the distributor has the large body/"Big Cap" version with the badge number ZV/PAU 4 R 1. This distributor was the first for VW to receive the condenser on the inside of the housing.*
The vacuum canister design was changed and looks similar to the later big cap 40 hp units except that the nipple for the vacuum line is still threaded where the later ones used a slip on flex line. The points cam/shaft and points plate are not interchangeable with the later big cap distributors. The ZV/PAU 4 R 1 uses the same cap, points and rotor as the later big caps but the points are specific to this distributor.

Note the short steel vacuum line on this distribur as the transition between all threaded vacuum line and all slip on.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

tasb · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:43 pm Post subject:

It can be proposed that the Ghia received these two unique distributors since it had the lowest production numbers of the other types I and II models. Apparently Bosch was not satisfied with the testing of these designs since these last two were so short lived.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

VeloMikey · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject:

This might be a stupid question, but what does SVDA stand for?
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'58 Ghia 2387cc with a Berg / Folts 5 Speed

Ghia Build Thread https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768748

tasb · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:59 pm Post subject:

After July 1960 the Ghia received the ZV/PAU 4 R 2 which appearance wise is the same as the R 1 except that the vacuum canister nipple is no longer threaded. This distributor was used on the beetle and bus as well.

Bosch wasn't the only manufacturer of distributors for the Ghia. The "VW" distributor actually manufactured by Garbe Lahmeyer GmBh was used periodically through the 1950's and 1960's.

This distributor has 211 bus part numbers all over it but it was used on the beetle and Ghia.

After July 1960 the Ghia used the same distributors as the beetle.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

60ragtop · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 4:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks, now I know what this fits. It came with a stash of parts I bought.
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

tasb · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 4:02 pm Post subject:

SVA= single vacuum advance
SVDA= single vacuum dual advance
DVDA= dual vacuum dual advance

The other option is a mechanical advance only but if there is a abbreviation for it it has escaped me at the moment.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

KGCoupe · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 4:30 pm Post subject:

tasb · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:49 pm Post subject:

Exactly, but there is so much more to life than that, try an 019, 010, VJ 4 BR 8, VJ 4 BR 25. Ever read Jonathan Livingston Seagull?
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

John Moxon · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:27 am Post subject:

tasb · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:55 am Post subject:

The non vacuum advance distributors are known as;

Mechanical advance

or

centrifical advamce
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse


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