Amazon: B16 distributor!

[winneehillbilly]

I have a 1961 Amazon with a B16 which has a worn out distributor! Will a B18/20 one fit it or is there a new one a available for the B16? The old one is a Bosch VJU4BR20, Any help would be great Thanks.

[940_Turbo]

No, it turns in the opposite direction to a B18.

You can get a new 123 or I may well have a usable one.

[winneehillbilly]

Oh ok thanks, I thought there was something different about them but didn't realise that's what it was! How much would you want for it if you have one?

[swedishandgerman]

Originally Posted by 940_Turbo

No, it turns in the opposite direction to a B18.

In which case, would a Beetle distributor fit?

[winneehillbilly]

I was just thinking the same thing actually, looks the same as a Bosch 009 but I'm not sure about the advance curves?? Any ideas?

[lukeball]

Originally Posted by winneehillbilly

I was just thinking the same thing actually, looks the same as a Bosch 009 but I'm not sure about the advance curves?? Any ideas?

A guy that I know in the U.S. has a B16 and he is working on upgrading to a Bosch 019. Here is what he says:

I'm also thinking about using a Bosch 010 or a 019 distributor in the future for the awesome advancement curve that these two Bosch units provide. I would just have to swap the shafts on the stock Bosch 020.

I checked the old VW distributors and they all turn clockwise. The only thing different that I can see is the shaft longer and the driver offset cogg is thicker. I'm sure the longer shaft is needed to center the distributor drive gear. The Bosch units I have will only work if the shaft matches the case bushings. Must not have any play in rotation.

I can't really tell you what the curve is on the 010 - 019 Bosch units. They just do a better job with smoothness and power range. I can tell you that no more that 32 - 34 total advance degree should ever be used. Total advance is more important than basic idle timing. Total advance is more important than basic idle timing.

[swedishandgerman]

Originally Posted by lukeball

The only thing different that I can see is the shaft longer and the driver offset cogg is thicker. I'm sure the longer shaft is needed to center the distributor drive gear.

Ah yes! I just checked on the 123 website and you're right, the dimensions are all wrong.

What exactly is wrong with your distributor? Is it completely beyond repair?

You might be able to just get a Beetle distributor off ebay and take the shaft apart to put the weights and springs from that into your existing distributor. Otherwise, this company is good for reconditioning a worn out unit:

http://www.h-h-ignitionsolutions.co.uk/articles.htm

[winneehillbilly]

It's basically just the cam that opens the points has worn flat on number 3 and 4 cylinders! Is it possible to just swap that out of another Bosch distributor?

[Derek UK]

Cam/rotor mount i.e. the rotating top part might well be the same as 6 volt Beetles up to about 1960. There might be some exceptions but it's almost a standard part. '55-'60 1200 36hp used 0231 112 xxx the same as B16 (0231 112 031 with the 031 likely to be a Bosch designation for the Volvo spec. Advance curves appear to be different so weights and springs plus the stop post position might differ.)
See here for VYU4BR20 types
http://www.oldvolkshome.com/ovhignbo.htm

Adam. Does your local guy have a box of used but good parts?

For interest
http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/achmadj/tuneup.htm

[swedishandgerman]

As above, I would say that you are very likely to be able to use the top part of the shaft out of another distributor, but finding the correct one might be difficult

Shame, I recently binned an old Beetle distributor that was too worn to repair, but the top would probably have been OK

I'm very interested to have received the Bosch part number that Derek has supplied

The last 3 digits are the distributor type and there are a few others that have been used in air-cooled VW's as well as B18's, like the 003 and 009. But they rotate the other way...

I have never paid any attention to B16 distributors and didn't know that the 030 had been used - the same one as in a Beetle. It's the middle numbers that I have trouble in working out. I think those might have relevance to the dimensions of the body, hence the fact they don't fit

Am I correct in saying that an 030 distributor is a vacuum advance distributor with no mechanical advance?? If that's the case, I reckon you could do better with swapping it for something better

This is just a thought. Accuspark do a very good replacement Beetle distributor for £35. Yes - £35! It is just a cheap replacement distributor with an advance curve that is not specific to a particular Beetle engine. BUT, I bought one to try and I have to say that I have been able to get my Beetle to run better than any other Beetle I've had. The body is aluminium and I query the longevity, but at £35, I will just chuck it out and get another! It won't fit yours as the shaft is too long. However, I am certain that you can alter that by machining a tiny ridge of the body away. If you're stuck, I can happily send you a spare Accuspark distibutor body for you to compare the dimensions.