Date:         Thu, 12 Oct 2000 14:02:58 +0200
Reply-To:     Stebbins <stebbins@AUCEGYPT.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stebbins <stebbins@AUCEGYPT.EDU>
Organization: The American University in Cairo
Subject:      Pertronix installation report
Comments: To: Jeff Hogue <jeff.hogue@ns.sympatico.ca>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I took this morning to install the Pertronix (
http://www.pertronix.com/home.htm )  points replacement kit
that I purchased about 3 months ago.  The idea behind the
unit is to eliminate the points so that points don't wear
(which changes the timing) and don't have to be changed.

I have a 91 syncro with carburetors and a Bosh 009
distributor WITHOUT  a vacuum advance.  Pertronix sells
various kits, so be sure to order the correct kit for your
distributor.

The instructions for installing the kit were not  great but
were good enough for me (university professor) to follow.

The only modification I had to make was to extend the wires
(to and from the coil) to the kit, but other than that the
kit installed easily, just remove the points, and condenser
and fit kit in and screw it down.

Upon installation, I gapped the unit as recommended, and
then started up the van with just a touch of the starter, it
idled very smoothly (I have not yet driven  the van).  I
then checked the dwell, it was EXACTLY 50 degrees, nice.

I  checked the timing via the static method a la "The Idiots
Guide to VWs" and it was a bit farther advanced than it
should be so I changed the timing  to where it should be
(about 7.5 degrees BTDC as I understand it).

It took me 2 hours from start to finish, but I figure that a
mechanic should be able to do it in less than 30 minutes,
including re timing the van).

This is ONLY a report on installing the unit, this is not a
plug for the unit, as I have not driven the van yet, so the
unit has not yet proved itself to me.

Anyone close to Canada might consider buying the kid from
Canada as it is about USD100 in the US and about CDN$140.
Good luck.  Malcolm