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RedSquare Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2017 Posts: 238 Location: Kansas City
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 1:57 pm Post subject: Stuck Distributor? |
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I’m new at fiddling with distributors, but I’ll be darned if I can get mine out. Going to replace it with a 123 Ignition, so I’ve found TDC and verified that the rotor is pointing at #1. I have removed the nut and washer from the bracket that holds the distributor in place, and have also loosened the nut on the rod that keeps the distributor from rotating once you have set the timing.
The thing won’t budge, and I’m scratching my head wondering if I’ve missed something. I don’t see anything else in Bentley that holds this beast in place. Is this a typical thing where they get goobered up and stuck in place? Doesn’t seem like something I’d want to crank too hard on. Ideas? |
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Pops67Beetle Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2021 Posts: 127 Location: Queens, NY
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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Mine was a bear to remove, the O ring held the distributor in like glue. Use WD40 at the base and let it soak for a day then reapply. WD40 is the best bet because it softens and breaks down rubber seals / O rings. After a couple of days of soaking use a small monkey wrench on the base (not the housing that holds the points) and wiggle it back and forth. Once the old distributor moves a little you can pry it upwards with a good sturdy screwdriver or small pry bar. _________________ When I close my eyes I’m a little kid riding in the cubby..... Priceless!
13 y/o son’s quote while watching us replace the pedal cluster…. “Who says the Germans lost the war.”
67 Beetle bought new, 95% stock. |
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RedSquare Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2017 Posts: 238 Location: Kansas City
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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I’ll give it the old WD40 treatment then. When you say you ultimately wrenched on it at the base and not on the body, how did you get access to the base? I can’t imagine how much crap I would have to remove to get access to the base of this thing.
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Pops67Beetle Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2021 Posts: 127 Location: Queens, NY
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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Ah I see your point. If you have one of those strap wrenches it will work on the upper part. If you have to use the wrench on the upper body of the distributor try your best to keep it low near the plate where the points screw down so you don’t crack the body. You may be able to move it by hand once the WD40 did its job, mine sat for 34 years and I almost needed a nuke to get it loose. _________________ When I close my eyes I’m a little kid riding in the cubby..... Priceless!
13 y/o son’s quote while watching us replace the pedal cluster…. “Who says the Germans lost the war.”
67 Beetle bought new, 95% stock. |
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RedSquare Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2017 Posts: 238 Location: Kansas City
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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Got it, and makes sense. I’m not sure if this one has ever been out or not. Feels like not. 🤪
Thanks for the assistance. I’ll check back in when I’ve removed it. |
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sjbartnik Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011 Posts: 5986 Location: Brooklyn
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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To remove the distributor, you only need to loosen (not remove) the 10mm nut that you would loosen to adjust the timing. Nothing else holds it in.
You do NOT need to remove the 13mm nut that holds the distributor clamp to the crankcase.
So yeah, you haven't missed anything. Should pull right out - only thing that could really hold it in the bore is the o-ring. Keep going! _________________ 1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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RedSquare Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2017 Posts: 238 Location: Kansas City
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 3:33 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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Thanks to both Pops67Beetle and sjbartnik for your help. The WD40 worked pretty quick and I was able to twist it side to side with some significant effort that slowly eased with time. But no matter how hard I pulled up, I got nowhere.
So I pulled the AAR to make some space to be able to get something under the distributor body and pry it upward. Was able to get a pry bar in there and work it up and out of the case. That thing was in there! Could have pulled on it forever and not gotten the dang thing out, but it’s out now.
If you have any interest in the continuation of this project, look for my next post on the 123 Ignition and how that goes. Thanks again. |
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ataraxia Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 4504 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 3:39 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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RedSquare wrote: |
If you have any interest in the continuation of this project, look for my next post on the 123 Ignition and how that goes. Thanks again. |
You're going to really like that distributor! I have had mine for years and it's great. |
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gt1953 Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13843 Location: White Mountains Arizona
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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So what is the info on this 123 distributor?? _________________ Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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RedSquare Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2017 Posts: 238 Location: Kansas City
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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ataraxia wrote: |
You're going to really like that distributor! I have had mine for years and it's great. |
The other threads I’ve read on it seem to have positive feedback (including discussion from raygreenwood and Tram), so I was pretty comfortable giving it a shot. I’m looking forward to getting it installed and hopefully having fewer variables to think through when adjusting things. |
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RedSquare Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2017 Posts: 238 Location: Kansas City
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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gt1953 wrote: |
So what is the info on this 123 distributor?? |
Here is a pretty decent thread that explains the deal with this beastie. I actually don’t know anything more than what is shown here, but will have some first hand knowledge of how the car runs with it installed in the not too distant future.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=741004&highlight=123+ignition |
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gt1953 Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13843 Location: White Mountains Arizona
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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I see, the distributor 123 is for fuel injected, wish mine was. my engine is similiar to the pre 68 models, dual carbs dual port heads stock exhaust etc. My current German 009 is fine. _________________ Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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ataraxia Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 4504 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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gt1953 wrote: |
I see, the distributor 123 is for fuel injected, wish mine was. my engine is similiar to the pre 68 models, dual carbs dual port heads stock exhaust etc. My current German 009 is fine. |
There are several models for both FI and carbureted engines and then different levels of connection & adjustability (USB connection, Bluetooth).
I'm currently using the basic version but will likely upgrade to the Bluetooth version so I can get a better look while engine tuning.
I bought mine directly from the company in The Netherlands because it's significantly less expensive (even when including shipping cost) and they're very supportive.
Last edited by ataraxia on Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:23 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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RedSquare Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2017 Posts: 238 Location: Kansas City
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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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I don’t think these are specifically for FI cars. The one I bought was, but they make many other versions for carbureted cars. Give their website a look. (I don’t have any financial interest in their company.)
https://123ignitionusa.com/123ignitions/volkswagon/ |
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heimlich VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 6554 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Stuck Distributor? |
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For EFI, 123 is a good way to go unless you have a a show car you are trying to keep original. _________________ 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) |
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