Distributor Question

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
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Post by hambone » Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:49 pm

I have not noticed a flat spot on our '68 Beetle with a vacuum only distributor. What is the advantage for the combination vac/mech? I'd wager it has something to do with emissions and engine heat.
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Amskeptic
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Post by Amskeptic » Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:31 pm

hambone wrote:I have not noticed a flat spot on our '68 Beetle with a vacuum only distributor. What is the advantage for the combination vac/mech? I'd wager it has something to do with emissions and engine heat.
The vacuum only distributor is much better able to time according to load. This is gentler on the engine. With the correct carburetor and a healthy engine, vacuum only is a fine bit of engineering.

John Muir was being disingenuous with his 009 penchant, as he was with anything that he did not understand.

The centrifugal advance coupled with vacuum advance gives you the best total timing support for speed and load.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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spiffy
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Post by spiffy » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:40 pm

Hammie, let me know if ya want another vac only dizzy. I picked one up at a swap not knowing it was vac only...don't have a use for it. Maybe you can keep it for your stash.
78 Riviera "Spiffy"
67 Riviera "Bill"

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:17 am

Sure I'll take it off your hands for the stash. Maybe the next camp trip whenever the hell that will be...thanks. Both my VWs have the same distributor so it will come in handy.
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it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
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justgimmecoffee
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Post by justgimmecoffee » Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:28 pm

Not to hijack a thread but....

The Bosch distrib that Chitwnvw referenced
http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1348


is that the correct distrib for my '79 bus with FI?

the PM (previous mechanic, not Trafton's, they did a fine job) installed a non-vacuum advance dizzy; when I asked, he sez thats what VW calls for now. I don't believe him.

-Barry

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:15 pm

You have a vac advance port might as well put it to use.

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