To vacuum or not to vacuum

[Sweetbabyjane1]

We are now at the point in the restoration of the engine, of rebuilding my vacuum advance distributor. It was pretty dirty inside. And the question came up, because some of the parts inside didn't look right, should I rebuild or get a new or rebuilt distributor? And what one would work best with my stock 36hp engine? I have seen different posts in regards to dead spots with acceleration and ones talking about fuel economy. I do not have electronic ignition, and have no desire to install one, as my car did not have one when she was made. So the question is.... should I use a 010 style distributor, or a vacuum advance distributor?

[D. Haviland]

My totally stock 57 runs a stock vacuum advance distributor. I never have flat spot issues. It's 6-volt and runs points. Ed Fall in Utah does an excellent job rebuilding distributors, carbs, and fuel pumps. Vintage Werks.

[D. Haviland]

I guess I haven't spoken to Ed in a while. He now lives in Washington state.

[pig-pen]

having recently been through fitting an 019, and an 010 to my 36hp with a supercharger... I can absolutely confirm that going back to the vacuum (which I thought would never work with the charger) has made the car totally drive-able.
With the 010 and the 019 it was a total pig. Now it is a joy. Vacuum. 100%
_________________
1954 L227 Type 113
1964 L31 Type 265

[heimlich]

For the stock engine go with the stock distributor.
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[Sweetbabyjane1]

Vacuum it is!

My husband cleaned the old one all up, and it looks and mechanically functions great. He love to tinker with things. Though we are not sure the canister is working properly. Blowing into the canister you can hear a click. But not when a suction is applied. Is this right? Or am I looking at a new canister/distributor. It isn't the original distributor that I can tell. It looks just like the least expensive vacuum advance one on CIP1.

[heimlich]

This is what your vacuum canister should look like:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2269287

Distributor:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2410164

_________________
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)

[Sweetbabyjane1]

[quote="heimlich"]This is what your vacuum canister should look like:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2269287

Yes, if I had a Bosch distributor, but mine is not a Bosch. I think it is a no name distributor. To replace the canister would cost more than the distributor itself I think.

[Sweetbabyjane1]

this is what I have right now

[ecallaway]

If you were to decide you want to spring for a close to original distributor I would recommend getting in touch with tasb.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3066

He does not have an ad posted currently but when he rebuilt one for me a couple years ago he wrote that he still had about 100 cores. I am very happy with the VJU 4 BR 8 that he built for me. He says that these distributors are hybrid mechanical and vacuum advance. "SVDA distributor with advance weights inside." "The mechanical advance is delivering a full 16 degrees of advance while the vacuum canister is delivering 12 degrees. You will find that the static timing will be closer to 5 degrees BTDC not to exceed 32 degrees at full throttle."

[ecallaway]

Just noticed that heilmlich's pics were from active listings that they have posted. These look really nice.

[esde]

The VJU4BR8 uses the same mechanical advance curve as the 010, with the addition of the vacuum advance. The advance spring tension is adjustable (little screw under the cap).
_________________
modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that.

[heimlich]

[Sweetbabyjane1]

I do have a VGUR4 BR8 distributor in hand. It came with the car, but not mounted. We suspect it is missing a few pieces. ie. bearing and dust cap, and that is why it wasn't on the car when we got it. Husband is tinkering with that now. We have the red capped one mounted for now, but will switch to the BR8 when that one is rebuilt. Finding parts is, at the least, frustrating.

[heimlich]

[j-dub]

+1 in support of using he VJUR4 BR8, it is one of my favorite.
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1957 Oval rag
"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

[BulliBill]

+2! I totally agree with the above posters. Get a good "correct" 36hp vacuum advance distributor and have any one of several guys out there (Ed Fall, "tasb" Heimlich, etc) properly go through it to get it rebuilt and you will be very happy in the end. A properly rebuilt and running VJUR4 BR8 vacuum advance distributor will make your 36hp engine VERY happy!

Bill
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I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

[VW_Jimbo]

Been following along and have to finally chime in.

+3 on the above line of thinking. The vacuum signal is for load. A street car requires this for smooth, reliable, and predictable running!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Kjell Roar]

[Sweetbabyjane1]

The Hubby got the BR8 rebuilt! I am excited to have her on the car!

Your knowledge has been awesome! Thanks so much!