Which Distributor? - 1973 Beetle MT

[sped372]

So the OldVolks reference page specifies 043 905 205C for 72-73 cars.

http://www.oldvolkshome.com/ovhignbo.htm

But someone is selling a 043 905 205 on the Samba...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=786573

Is Rev C that much different? I'd like to eventually get the correct distributor back on the bug. I have an SVDA now which is ok, I guess, but would be a perfect "backup" to the original.

Who's up on distributor models / changes?

[Amskeptic]

So the OldVolks reference page specifies 043 905 205C for 72-73 cars.

http://www.oldvolkshome.com/ovhignbo.htm

But someone is selling a 043 905 205 on the Samba...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=786573

Is Rev C that much different? I'd like to eventually get the correct distributor back on the bug. I have an SVDA now which is ok, I guess, but would be a perfect "backup" to the original.

Who's up on distributor models / changes?

Most of the stunning complexity of distributor numbers and specifications relates to the fine-edged emissions requirements.

What you want is to have a distributor matched to your carburetor. A '73 bug with a stock carburetor wants a vacuum retard/advance + centrifugal distributor. The timing requirements for the engine itself (emissions be damned) are pretty easy enough. Give it a distributor that advances from roughly 5* btdc (hoses-off) at 900-1,000 rpm to roughly 30* btdc at 3,000 or so with the centrifugal advance. Then set the centrifugal advance to factory spec at specified rpm no fooling around. ALLOW the idle timing to fall where it may. With a correctly adjusted carburetor, you will only get a slow-enough idle rpm with a functional vacuum retard unit that pulls the timing down to 5* Atdc. That is the most-to-the-left "soft" indent on the pulley if you have a late-model pulley.

Your final timing requirement is the vacuum advance which should bring the timing up to 36* - 40* when you rev the engine and release the throttle. If you check the specifications closely, they will have an "initiate" rpm, a mid-range rpm, and a "final" rpm.

Us hobbyists can screw around with springs and stops and posts with blatant glee to get a distributor to do our bidding.
Colin