Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 21:05:49 -0500
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Ignition points wear
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Stick with the point set.
They are VW generic and easily replaced in emergency, not to mention that my
point sets usually lasted at least 12,000 miles.
Adjustment intervals on point sets might vary because of bent distributor
shafts, distributors running without the spring under the drive or moisture
getting into the cap.
I normally adjusted my points about every 6000 miles and on one occasion a
set slipped closed on me but it was a two minute fix because it's the first
thing I checked.
A breakerless system will not get you better fuel mileage and I had trouble
out of both Petrox and Compufire systems so I went back to Bosch points.
Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Poole" <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 8:42 PM
Subject: Ignition points wear
Howdy List,
My air cooled '82 westy is still running a breaker type ignition
system. My engine and I are big fans of fresh bosch points with the
ignition settings precisely adjusted. I installed my most recent set
of points in Memphis tn on my way east to Asheville NC. The dwell was
just around 47 when I left Memphis but when I got to Asheville the
point gap had reduced itself to less than a tenth of an inch. The
engine had become difficult to crank and had less power. I performed
an ignition tune up and all was back to normal. That was two weeks
ago with very little driving since then (300 miles or so). Yesterday
I noticed a bit of sluggishness which turned out to be a reduced point
gap. The dwell had gone from about 45 (I set it a bit low just in
case the points settled some more) to around 55. I have been using a
lightweight lube on the distributor lobes.
Anybody have any tips or techniques to share. How long can most of
you go before your dwell and timing need to be reset??
I am considering making the switch to a breakerless system because I
am getting tired of the tune-ups. Setting everything is easy but as
those of you who full-time it know,, getting the tools and engine
unearthed takes twice as long as the tune-up itself..
Thanks ya'll
Jonathan Poole
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