Greg, The vacuum advance works to advance the ignition timing based on engine load (the more load (vacuum), the more ignition advance). The centrifical advance distributor (009) advances based on RPM. There are weights attached that advance the timing at increasing RPM. With the 009 you may notice flat spots on acceleration because the timing does not advance at low RPM. Here's a good description of the distributors:
http://www.vw-resource.com/009_history.html There are a few of things you can easily check on a used vacuum advance distributor to determine it's condition. 1) The lobes on the distributor shaft should not be too worn. With the distributor cap removed, try to wiggle the distributor shaft side to side; there should be very little noticeable movement. 2) With a hose attached to the vacuum canister, suck on the hose and watch the advance plate inside the distributor rotate (advance) slightly. 3) There should be a small braided wire (ground) attached to the advance plate on one end and a nut on the other. The nut is held to the inside of the distributor by a screw from the outside. If you need a picture of this, let me know. Here's more good information regarding different distributors. http://www.type2.com/~keen/ignition.html Brian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg S Tipton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 8:31 AM Subject: Re: [vintagvw] 1600cc Single Port Hello Bill, Okay, I am all for putting the original equipment back on the car. When I purchased the car the prior owner had done some strange things to the car. I from time to time still encounter them and when I can I rectify the problem. I figure the German engineers that designed the car were a lot smarter than me. So if I understand you correctly I am looking for a distributor specifically marked 113 905 205 M? How do you know if you see a used distributor at a swap meet if it is still viable? Now just because I am the curious sort and you appear to be a very knowledgeable fellow (grin) ...what is the problem with this carburetor / distributor setup? How does the performance of a centrifugal advance differ from that of a vacuum advance? take care, Greg --- On Tue, 11/18/08, Bill May <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Bill May <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [vintagvw] 1600cc Single Port To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Air-Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List" <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 12:38 AM that is your problem- 30/31 pict with 009 non vacuum dist. try a 205M dist.(large vacuum can) that was used on 66/67 beetles. _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw
