Distributors

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Christopher Wettstein
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Distributors

#1 Post by Christopher Wettstein »

I was wondering what kind of suggestions everybody has for a distributor. It will be going on a 356 motor that is stroked, and has a big bore kit with a performance cam, modified heads and Solex's. Thanks, Chris

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C J Murray
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Re: Distributors

#2 Post by C J Murray »

Since you are going whole hog, I would suggest the MSD distributor, listed for VW, and MSD 6AL ignition. Use their wires and coil also. This requires 12 volt but the improvement in quality of spark is incredible. I have this set-up on my vintage race car and the performance is perfection. The advance curve is adjustable and will require a little experimenting.

On my 1883 GT clone I was 6 volt and used a stock 022 cast iron distributor. It worked fine but the weaker spark will add to the difficulty of getting your carb jetting correct. My next big street engine will have the MSD system.
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Steve Bryant
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Re: Distributors

#3 Post by Steve Bryant »

CJ,

You said: "On my 1883 GT clone I was 6 volt and used a stock 022 cast iron distributor. It worked fine but the weaker spark will add to the difficulty of getting your carb jetting correct. My next big street engine will have the MSD system."

Why does a weaker spark add to the difficulty of getting carb jetting correct? Just wondering.

Thanks,

Steve
1965 Coupe-Irish Green/Black1958 Coupe-Aquamarine Blue/Red [Gone to a new home]356 Registry Member #544 (OLD #259) 

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Glenn Ring
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Re: Distributors

#4 Post by Glenn Ring »

You could add a CDI system to the 022.
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Restored Bosch Distributors

Christopher Wettstein
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Re: Distributors

#5 Post by Christopher Wettstein »

Sorry guys, I should have added some more info to my original post. The car has a 6 Volt system in it and I would like to keep it that way. The car is a 58' Speedster with matching numbers, so I didn't want to go the 6 to 12 Volt conversion due to resale value, if it were any other 356 I would do the conversion in a heartbeat, including a drum to disc conversion! I am building a second engine for it for a little more power as described in the first post, so with that in mind what would you recommend ? Maybe an "050"? Who do you recommend that does good reliable refurbishing work with proper curving on the distributor for such a motor? Thanks, Chris

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C J Murray
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Re: Distributors

#6 Post by C J Murray »

6 Volt. Use a stock cast iron distributor with stock points. It will get you home every time. Fool proof. Rarely needs maintenance. Easy to service. Correct advance curve.

The 050 looks wrong and has the wrong advance curve. The factory was not stupid, if they wanted the 050 curve they would have done so.
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Re: Distributors

#7 Post by C J Murray »

Steve Bryant wrote:CJ,

You said: "On my 1883 GT clone I was 6 volt and used a stock 022 cast iron distributor. It worked fine but the weaker spark will add to the difficulty of getting your carb jetting correct. My next big street engine will have the MSD system."

Why does a weaker spark add to the difficulty of getting carb jetting correct? Just wondering.

Thanks,

Steve
Steve-When you have a marginal spark the engine does not react as directly to the jetting changes. The state of tune tends to be muddy over a range of jet sizes. When you have a strong spark that occurs precisely, you can detect the jetting changes more clearly. When things are right they are really right.

Generally, I like modern electronics in an old engine but the 6 volt versions of modern electronics are garbage. The 12 volt products are so much better. They, 12 volt, are up to date and reliable and offer superior features. On a hot engine with a serious cam you need the best spark that you can get.

No matter what voltage, the 356 has an unreliable charging system and a high likelihood of voltage drops due to resistance in the wiring. Modern electronics hate poor electrical supply but points don't give a damn. If you choose a modern ignition you must check the health of the rest of the electrical system.
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Frederic Prince
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Re: Distributors

#8 Post by Frederic Prince »

Glenn Ring wrote:You could add a CDI system to the 022.
can you tell more about this ?
what kind ?
which model ?
thanks
fred ;)©
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2008...356 roadster T5 S90
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Glenn Ring
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Re: Distributors

#9 Post by Glenn Ring »

A good friend has a 6v CDI that's made by or called "Tiger" and uses the points as a trigger. So it will work with any distributor.
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Frederic Prince
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Re: Distributors

#10 Post by Frederic Prince »

is it possible to put the BHKZ if i'm running in 12V ?
where to find informations ?
thanks
fred ;)©
1991 - 1993 - 2,7 Targa
2004 - 2013 - 993 Targa
2015 - 2016 3,2 Targa '84
2008...356 roadster T5 S90
2013...2,4 E 72 Sunroof under restoration
2016...3,2 Targa '86
2018...3,2 Speedster '89

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Jacques Lefriant
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Re: Distributors

#11 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

Salut Frederic
The Bosch 3 pin CDI box used in 911 until 1977 will work fine. Some considerations.
Downside
1. expensive
2. works best with special coil
3. wires must be in good shape
4. most units are showing age and the internal componets are marginal.
Plus side
1. points last longer but timing can change due to wear dwell is critical.
2. better starting due to earlier firing.
3. ability to fire fouled plugs
4. ability to use bigger gaps and better combustion.
you may elect to use and alternative like Permatune (also expensive) but latter generation internal componets. I am partial to MSD Street Fire that is a CDI with Multiple spark and can be triggered by points and magnetic pickup i beleive it has RPM limiter but the unit is larger than the Bosch. These units can be had rather inexpensively. The Permatune site should have a White Paper that touts the benifits of CDI. Give my best to Olivier.
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Frederic Prince
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Re: Distributors

#12 Post by Frederic Prince »

Hi jacques ;-)
thanks for answer, I'll do for Olivier !!

Here is a video of me at Classic Days in Magny Cours with the roadster where you can hear the engine running fine !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6b9WT4gZ7A

have a nice day ;-)

fred ;)©
1991 - 1993 - 2,7 Targa
2004 - 2013 - 993 Targa
2015 - 2016 3,2 Targa '84
2008...356 roadster T5 S90
2013...2,4 E 72 Sunroof under restoration
2016...3,2 Targa '86
2018...3,2 Speedster '89

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Frederic Prince
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Re: Distributors

#13 Post by Frederic Prince »

I had the permatune in the car when I bought it.
but it was in 6V.
is it the same model 6V - 12V ?
fred ;)©
1991 - 1993 - 2,7 Targa
2004 - 2013 - 993 Targa
2015 - 2016 3,2 Targa '84
2008...356 roadster T5 S90
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2016...3,2 Targa '86
2018...3,2 Speedster '89

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Dave Wildrick
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Re: Distributors

#14 Post by Dave Wildrick »

Glenn Ring wrote:A good friend has a 6v CDI that's made by or called "Tiger" and uses the points as a trigger. So it will work with any distributor.
Similar to what Glenn described, the 6V Pazon unit from New Zealand has been advocated by other listers and will work with any distributor:

Pazon electronic ignition module—preserves points. $113 NZ or about $85 US

http://www.pazon.com/ignition-system/en ... earth.html

I have toyed with the idea of trying it, but I am saving up for the 123 distributor from the Netherlands (the 6V version, about $400), which a good friend of mine has been using successfully in his 65C (6V) coupe for 2 years:

http://www.123ignitionusa.com/porschevw.html
Dave Wildrick
Houston, TX
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Distributors

#15 Post by Mike Wilson »

I looked up the Pavon and Tiger units on-line. The Tiger seems to be no longer available. I currently have the 6 V Pertronix on my Bosch 022 distributor but, it is not accurate. A well-experienced mechanic checked it out on his Sun machine and the reading was as follows: #1 cylinder: 0*; #4: +1-1/2*; #3:+1* and #2: +2*. He tested other Pertronix units he had and they were off the mark as well. He had contacted Pertronix in the past about this but nothing was resolved. I also talked with another gentleman who rebuilds distributors and he said that he no longer uses them for the same reasons. It would be interesting to see if the Tiger and Pavon units are more accurate. Inaccurate firing plays havoc trying to dial in the distributor timing.

Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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