Good Dizzy from B18B / B18D

[Steve121]

I'm looking for a good standard used dizzy from the above.. the type with no vacuum advance mechanism, returning my amazon back to standard 'reliable' spec!

cheers

Steve
steve@deadcod.com
(based in Luton)

[swedishandgerman]

I'm pretty sure that a Beetle distributor fits straight in.

You can buy a 009 Bosch distributor off the shelf at German and Swedish or Euro Car Parts and there are usually a good few on e-bay. The 009 distributor was widely used on the VW air-cooled engine and is the favoured drop-in replacement for a knackered distributor - they wear out just as badly on Beetles as they do on Amazons!! I've never done this transfer myself, but I can remember looking into it and the part numbers are exactly the same for both cars.

Thought to myself that it was a lot,lot cheaper than shelling out for a 123 distributor! Although that would be my prefered choice....

I'll dig out the part numbers tonight

[swedishandgerman]

The Bosch part number for a VW 009 fully centrifugal distributor is:

0 231 153 009

This is the same Bosch part number as fitted to Volvo B18B.

[Steve121]

thanks for the tip, I'll certainly look into it!

[Moosejaw]

Sorry to hijack the post, but does anyone know if the same 009 dizzy would work on the B20B motor?

[Derek UK]

Beware. I believe that the "009" on the end of the B18B dizzy number is a red herring. I think you'll find that the drive part of the dizzy that is inside the engine is shorter on the Beetle one. The Bosch type codes are completely different. There may be individual parts of the dizzy's that interchange but if you take a Volvo one into somewhere like German and Swedish I think you'll see that they aren't the same.
Certainly, if they did fit, Amazon and 1800 owners Worldwide wouldn't be complaining about theirs being worn out as the VW "009" is available everywhere.

[swedishandgerman]

I completely agree - I always thought other Volvo owners would have just whacked in a VW 009 distributor if it was that simple!! I guess someone else would have jumped on the band wagon, wouldn't they?!

As I understand, most B18B's had 003 distributors. Amazon 123GT's and later B18B's switched to 009 without vacuum advance, then some had 009's with vacuum advance (not sure about that). I don't know anything about B18D distributors.

All B20B's had vacuum advance - 530 distributor.

As far as I understand, the first 4 numbers of the Bosch part numbers are to do with dimensions - all B18 and B20 distributors are '0 231' (the same as VW). From memory, the next 3 numbers are to do with the centifugal weights - all B18B distributors are 153 (same as VW). The last 3 numbers I think have something to do with the different type of points and/or points plate (including the vaccum advance unit). The difference between a 003 distributor and a 009 distributor is that 003 distributors have a 2-piece points set; 009 a 1-piece set and the base plates are different (not sure about that).

B18B early - 0 231 153 003 (same as some Beetles)
B18B late and 123GT - 0 321 153 009 (same as some Beetles and vans)

B18A's had lots of different types of distributors. From memory, the weights are different to those of a B18B distributor.

B20 - Both A's and B's have 0 231 146, but they have different vacuum advance units. B20B is 0 231 146 530. Don't know what type the B20A had. So a 009 would fit, but I don't know what it'd run like.

As I say, I've never tried it myself. I fitted a 009 distibutor to my last Beetle, but I sold it before I started looking into the interchangability of that and the Volvo, but remember thinking at the time that they looked identical. Otherwise, I'd have experimented! My current Beetle has a completely different distributor. I run my B20 with a 530 distributor, but with the vacuum advance disconnected (my SU's don't have a vacuum take off). It runs very nicely.

Also, the dimensions of the 123 distributor for a VW match those of the Volvo B18/B20 123 Distributor:

http://http://www.123ignition.nl/id/13.html

http://http://www.123ignition.nl/brand/VW.html

I've just re-read what I've written and realised what a geek I am....

[swedishandgerman]

Sorry, that was supposed to say 0 231 153 009 and not 0 321 152 009

[michael lyttle]

I have recently purchased an Amazon 122S 1964. It has (according to type #) a B18D engine with a Bosch JFU4 0 231 170 085 vacuum distributor. This case have a square cut out that receives a rubber block for the capacitor wire and points connection with spade ends. Points are hard to find with the correct terminal end. Does anyone know what other if any distributors were used with B18D engines in 61-64? Thanks. I am converting points from VP to the spade end I need for now.

[powen1]

Steve , I have a spare Distr in Herts if any good for you ?
Im sure they guys here can advise here if it is any good and will fit ?
although it came of a B20E engine and the base plate is stripped where the screw goes but was working fine before that happened :-(