Magnaspark in Type 3

[jneuman206]

Hi,
I just installed a Magnaspark in my type 3. It has the CB alternator on it. I was able to get it running but need to advance the timing more. My issue is since its so tight around alternator I cant rotate more counter clockwise around the corner of the alternator. It hits the cap where the spark plug connects. I bent the alternators shield as much as I could but still cant get around it. Sucks since there is alot of rotation room going the other way. I only need maybe another. 2 mm or so to get around. Id rather not have the boot sit on the shield though since gets hot

Any ideas as to create a new starting point when I intially dropped the dizzy in to give me more rotation. The cap only screws in one way as well. I tried rotating all the one wires on cap over 1 counterclockwise. Just did a huge backfire. Thank you

[W1K1]

that thing is huge, I'm running a bosch big cap in mine with the CB black box, and there's lots of room left

_________________
1973 super 2110cc
1965 squareback 1500E-sold
1971 bay window westy- EJ2.5 subi swap

[RCP Phx]

You might want to consider rotating the distributor gear if that will give you the clearance you need.

[jneuman206]

So pull dizzy out and spin the gear I guess 180 degree and see where Im at?

[RCP Phx]

[Willin]

Hi
First post for me, I feel I can actually answer a question!
I installed a MS2 dist. in my type 4 bus engine. I needed to rotate dist. drive a tooth or two,I recall retarded. The screws for the dist. cap is where the interference is. I am assuming this is similar to Type 3.
I also had to "modify " the sheet metal a little, like CB says. Don't have pics. But it was straight forward.
Fyi , I am running light silver and blue springs and the blue bushing. Runs so much better than 009 I took out.
Hope this helps!

[74 Thing]

Pull the dist drive gear and re-position.

[jneuman206]

When you all say tooth, what is that referring to? Engine crank teeth or rotor? The bottom of dizzy has 2 slots and so does inside engine so I can only go 2 ways there.
Can you explain how to move it a tooth.

I'm thinking now pull dizzy out and rotate engine by hand over clockwise or counter 1 or 2 line where I look though hole for timing marks. Is this correct to move over a tooth? I need more counter clockwise movement

As a back up Im have alternators regulator moved to top or left of case and that will let the cap and plugs clear if cant do it through engine way.

thanks for all the help

[RCP Phx]

We're talking about the "distributor drive gear" just below the distributor.
https://www.mooreparts.com/distributor-drive-pinion-gear-for-vw-air-cooled-engines-1600cc-and-up/

[74 Thing]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=761332&highlight=dowel

[jneuman206]

Its a pretty new engine, I need to pull that gear to reposition? rotating engine without dizzy in wont work? Which direction in my case. Position was fine before. Just had the standard size cap before

[jneuman206]

Update:
It took taking my alternator to a rebuild shop and moving the voltage regulator and all its components over to make room to turn dizzy.

I wasn't going to try and pull drive gear out and move a tooth. Local Vdub shop did not advise. CB performance said most type 3 guys move drive gear but did not advise it. Risk of losing shims in engine.

I had to also tirm the area the alternator sits on where it is rounded up(fan housing) to fit around original generator. When you move the regulator the main wire post is now on right side bottom.

Hope that helps for any other type 3 guys adding this to their ride. Fires up like a champ now

[Max Welton]

A picture here would be awesome.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[jneuman206]

Hope this helps someone else doing this