| Author |
Message |
KoMbI19
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2013
Posts: 148
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
|
 Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 7:28 am Post subject: Spectra Distributer??? |
 |
|
https://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Premium-VW10-Distributor/dp/B001MU1BUU
I found this online today searching for alternatives with pre-installed electronic ignition and it intrigued me... it has an included offset ignition coil that is not an oil filled cylinder unit. Has anyone ever tried one of these or know anything about them? I just installed a Hot-Spark dizzy with a Flamethrower coil that seems to be a garbage combo. I was considering venturing out beyond a rebuilt OE unit. This one is 100% new, but I don't know how similar it is to factory spec.
_________________
1972 Karmann Ghia Coupe- all stock
1982 Rabbit Convertible FI- all original
2006 Chevy Colorado Z71- 215k and still kicking! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76939
Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
These are actually made by Ritchporter. Their reputation was so bad that they changed the name.
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KoMbI19
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2013
Posts: 148
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 8:08 am Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
Ah. I see. I saw a Porter stamp on the coil, that makes sense.
What's your take on the Hot-Spark/Flamethrower ignition systems, Glenn?
_________________
1972 Karmann Ghia Coupe- all stock
1982 Rabbit Convertible FI- all original
2006 Chevy Colorado Z71- 215k and still kicking! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76939
Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:46 am Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
| KoMbI19 wrote: |
| What's your take on the Hot-Spark/Flamethrower ignition systems, Glenn? |
You get what you pay for. Hot Spark has a higher failure rate than Pertronix. But Pertronix has a unacceptable failure rate compared to the system that were in production vehicles.
I use points.
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KoMbI19
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2013
Posts: 148
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
Understood. What dizzy would you recommend on a '72 stock dp with a 34-pict?
_________________
1972 Karmann Ghia Coupe- all stock
1982 Rabbit Convertible FI- all original
2006 Chevy Colorado Z71- 215k and still kicking! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KoMbI19
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2013
Posts: 148
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
I still have my stock 009 mechanical advance laying around, but that was giving me a flat spot hesitation and my Hot-Spark is now giving me backfires. I converted back to a 34 from the 30 that the PO had put on.
_________________
1972 Karmann Ghia Coupe- all stock
1982 Rabbit Convertible FI- all original
2006 Chevy Colorado Z71- 215k and still kicking! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76939
Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 11:01 am Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
| KoMbI19 wrote: |
| I still have my stock 009 |
009 was never stock.
The 34PICT-3 came with a 034. But the aftermarket 034s are not very good. Try to find a Bosch German 034.
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kurt912
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2014
Posts: 158
Location: The Woodlands Tx
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
After trying Hot Spark I'm sold on points. Cheap and don't usually fail suddenly (or fail out of the box like my Not Spark). Plus if I can adjust my own valves and check my own timing then a little gapping and dwelling won't kill me.
_________________
1964 MG Midget MK1 Monte Carlo Replica
1969 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1972 Mercedes 250 Coupe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
slalombuggy
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010
Posts: 9147
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
| kurt912 wrote: |
| After trying Hot Spark I'm sold on points. Cheap and don't usually fail suddenly (or fail out of the box like my Not Spark). Plus if I can adjust my own valves and check my own timing then a little gapping and dwelling won't kill me. |
You know you just can't mix and match ignition parts, they have to be compatible. This is especially true with electronic ignitions. The coil must have the impedance that the module is rated for or you'll burn ignition module out in short order.
I don't know why it is that VW guys have so many problems with Pertronix ignitions, I've installed tons of them in classic cars and never had a failure. I have a theory about power spikes from mechanical regulators and leaking AC voltage, but haven't tested it.
brad |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kurt912
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2014
Posts: 158
Location: The Woodlands Tx
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 11:11 pm Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
| slalombuggy wrote: |
| kurt912 wrote: |
| After trying Hot Spark I'm sold on points. Cheap and don't usually fail suddenly (or fail out of the box like my Not Spark). Plus if I can adjust my own valves and check my own timing then a little gapping and dwelling won't kill me. |
You know you just can't mix and match ignition parts, they have to be compatible. This is especially true with electronic ignitions. The coil must have the impedance that the module is rated for or you'll burn ignition module out in short order.
I don't know why it is that VW guys have so many problems with Pertronix ignitions, I've installed tons of them in classic cars and never had a failure. I have a theory about power spikes from mechanical regulators and leaking AC voltage, but haven't tested it.
brad |
I bought the corresponding coil that Hot Spark recommended and sold with the ignition module. Actually still have it, because after sending the module back for testing or replacement I was refunded for the module but ignored when I asked about returning the coil since I didn't get the new module. I don't have experience with Pertronix but did have a Mallory failure with my old 912.
_________________
1964 MG Midget MK1 Monte Carlo Replica
1969 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1972 Mercedes 250 Coupe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KoMbI19
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2013
Posts: 148
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
Well I'm trying to eliminate the flat spot with my stock Bosch unit (mechanical advance, thought it was an 009, but I guess not) and I was under the impression that the vac advance units were supposed to resolve that. So I should probably stick with my stock unit and adjust the points?
_________________
1972 Karmann Ghia Coupe- all stock
1982 Rabbit Convertible FI- all original
2006 Chevy Colorado Z71- 215k and still kicking! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kpf
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2017
Posts: 852
Location: California, US
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
| KoMbI19 wrote: |
| Well I'm trying to eliminate the flat spot with my stock Bosch unit (mechanical advance, thought it was an 009, but I guess not) and I was under the impression that the vac advance units were supposed to resolve that. So I should probably stick with my stock unit and adjust the points? |
As Glenn explained, your mechanical advance distributor is not stock. You can find out which distributor your car originally came with by looking in the Bentley manual or some of the resources in the technical section of this site.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Onceler
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2010
Posts: 1647
Location: Indiana
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wcfvw69
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 10:10 pm Post subject: Re: Spectra Distributer??? |
|
|
| KoMbI19 wrote: |
| Well I'm trying to eliminate the flat spot with my stock Bosch unit (mechanical advance, thought it was an 009, but I guess not) and I was under the impression that the vac advance units were supposed to resolve that. So I should probably stick with my stock unit and adjust the points? |
A 1972 Ghia would have had a DVDA (dual vacuum, dual advance) distributor installed matched to a German Solex 34-3 carb. Probably a Bosch 113905205AN. If you're not a purist, I'd get a restored German Bosch 034. You just have to make sure your 34-3 carb is matched to it if it's a German Solex 34-3. There were DVDA versions and SVDA versions. You can modify either to work with either distributor as well.
34-3 carbs hate mechanical only distributors. Reinstall either a restored Bosch DVDA or SVDA distributor. They will cure your off idle hesitations or flat spots.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
