Keep yer wick oily

[SlowLane]

I don't know how many times I'm going to need to re-learn this lesson before it sinks in...

The Westy's been running progressively rougher over the last week. Idle was fine, full throttle was fine, but on light throttle acceleration it was stumbling and farting. I was worried that the new Bus Depot ignition wires were starting to crap out, or the new, colder spark plugs were fouling, or that the persistent vacuum hiss that I just can't seem to eradicate was finally becoming a problem.

So I pull the plugs: they're all fine. Wires are routed okay. The hiss isn't any louder than it has ever been. Pop the distributor cap off: hmm, a bit more arc-damage on the internal posts, but I can't remember how old the cap and rotor are. Mental note to replace both. Turn the dizzy shaft by hand. Mech advance seems okay. Hmm, can't remember last time I oiled the felt "wick" in the distributor shaft. Give it a couple of drops from the dipstick.

Button it all up, go for a drive. Hesitation is gone! Had to be the advance sticking, once again underscoring the importance of smooth, consistent ignition to these engines. I'm now considering getting the Philbin guys to rebuild my distributor. Don't want to have to re-learn this lesson too many more times.

[Amskeptic]

I don't know how many times I'm going to need to re-learn this lesson before it sinks in...

I'm now considering getting the Philbin guys to rebuild my distributor. Don't want to have to re-learn this lesson too many more times.

If it is no longer hesitating, why send it out? Keep it wicked and clean and gapped and drive drive drive.

That's my lesson.
Colin

[drozdenko]

i ended up loosing my felt during the process of putting my motor back in, any good replacements?
or will regular 'ol "ac moore" felt work?

Thanks.

[SlowLane]

Oh no, it must be official VW felt from der Fatherland, imported at great expense.

Kidding. I expect that anything of a similar nature would do the trick. as long as it retains a few drops of oil and doesn't shed fibers. eg. I have some furniture sliders from Lowes that look like they'd fit the bill.

[drozdenko]

perfect..i have some of those too. thanks!

[luftvagon]

so why are those important? my friends ca spec does not have any lint

[Amskeptic]

so why are those important? my friends ca spec does not have any lint

What "those" are you asking about? "my friend's does not have any lint"??
We are in a technical forum where we ought to write for the reader on a search.
The felt retains the oil that we have to apply to centrifugal advance distributors so that the upper shaft (breaker cam) can rotate in relation to the lower shaft (drive dogs).