The Point Gap Is A Changin'

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:36 pm

Have been checking the point gap more frequently for kicks.
After 600 miles, the gap is off enough to affect timing considerably.
The points cam is nicely lubricated. The distributor is newly rebuilt by a pro shop and works well.
This is annoying; is this normal for points? Still drives fine before the adjustment; I'd never know it was off. But after a tuneup it accelerates much better.
I'll bet the points cam rider is made from cheaper materials these days.
It's making me think Pertronix. Setting the points every couple of weeks? Crazy.

spiffy · Post by **spiffy** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:50 pm

Maybe try to see if it needs adjusting again before the next tune up. I would give them another shot as I know you find beauty in the simplicity of the VW engine in its original form.

I also understand why you might be thinking a P.R.U. as you want your investment to run to its full potential and last for a long time.

bus71 · Post by **bus71** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:01 pm

I've had this problem twice. Once it was my "german" bruck distributer. The cam was too rough and wore out the rubbing block. The second time it was non-bosch points and the rubbing block was junk and wore out fast! Good luck!

grandfatherjim · Post by **grandfatherjim** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:13 pm

I've had this a number of times over the years. I think the older phenolic was better stuff and now they are just shooting for cheap.
Not sure if there is a variety of points out there but it would be nice to get some good ones. I have the cheap white plastic now and you have reminded me to go back in and check the gap.
Well now that I think of it I just bought a replacement distributor. Better check the points on it too.
JW

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:52 pm

Sadly, these are Bosch parts.

Westy78 · Post by **Westy78** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:02 pm

hambone wrote:Sadly, these are Bosch parts.

And sadly Bosch is not what it once was.

Post by **Sluggo** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:14 am

Compufire all the way. With a set of points on board just in case.

RSorak 71Westy · Post by **RSorak 71Westy** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:34 am

I had bad luck with a Compufire and got a Pertronix. It's great.

Post by **Sluggo** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:13 am

RSorak 71Westy wrote:I had bad luck with a Compufire and got a Pertronix. It's great.

I thought I had bad luck with a Pertronix and replaced it with a Compufire but it turned out to be an out of balance fan throwing everything off. Put the Pertronix in the Beetle and it's great.

Just stay away from Hot-Spark. I went through 3 and tried all sorts of stupid little fixes suggested by the manufacturer. All died within 2 weeks. One in a few days. Gave up when the manufacturer insisted that it was my alternator or coil frying out the unit. Compufire & Pertronix work great with the same alternator & coil.

Gypsie · Post by **Gypsie** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:23 am

Pertronix with back up points and cap in the roadside emergency kit.

No worries as yet, (knock wood).

Post by **Amskeptic** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:14 pm

hambone wrote:I'll bet the points cam rider is made from cheaper materials these days.

Take distributor out. Polish cam lobes with carborundum strip like you are doing crank journals. Get it to shine. Clean up seriously. Use molybdenum disulfide grease on the breaker cam. We can check it out at Maupin if you like.
Colin

vdubyah73 · Post by **vdubyah73** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:23 pm

Compufire in the svda's and in a 009 for a spare.

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

The Point Gap Is A Changin'

The Point Gap Is A Changin'

Re: The Point Gap Is A Changin'