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blutopless2 DAMSLO

2,457 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#140769
does anyone have any info on whether electronic ignition is available for early beetles??? and installation details etc??
see.... air and water do mix 😉

1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#140772
What distributor are you running????

Basically the answer is yes

Cheapest is a Magfire - a bit over $100, maybe $120

You take out you points and coil screw in a device where the points go and slip a disc with magnets over the shaft.

Time it the same way.

Other brands include Petronics and Compufire.
Then you can go the whole hog with a Malory (sp?)

Brad did a deal on some Compufire before Christmas.
Do a search - i think there were some links to describe them

Also go to www.aircooled.net and look for them there

TTFN
Futue te ipsum!!!

mnsKmobi Wolfsburg Wizard

589 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#140793
blutopless2 wrote:does anyone have any info on whether electronic ignition is available for early beetles??? and installation details etc??
Electronic ignition can describe something that just replaces your points (the Compufire, Pertronix and Magfire units). The major advantage of these is you don't have to adjust your points!

It can also describe something that enhances the spark, including transistor assisted and capacitor discharge ignitions (CDI). (Most aftermarket systems are CDI).

To say the least, there have been major heated discussions about the merit or otherwise of these two options. Personally, I would make sure that your existing ignition system is up to scratch before installing either electronic ignition. Both the mechanical and vacuum advance mechanisms were sticking in my distributor. It's amazing what a difference cleaning and lubricating made! Also I got new leads, distributor cap, rotor and plugs soon after getting my kombi because the ones on the engine were an unknown quantity.

blutopless2 DAMSLO

2,457 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#140801
i am thinking of starting off by replacing all the spark plugs, the leads, rotor, points, distributor cap and coil as a start to ensure i have everything new for the first start up of my beetle. was thinking of going electronic at a later date as i was lead to believe that electronic was much better as the voltage discharged to the spark plug is much higher than the points ignition, but am not really up to scratch with ignition etc. i have a 6v bug so would i have to go 12v to use electronic???
see.... air and water do mix 😉

1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#140815
Thats what I was waiting for .... I know of NO electronic ignitions for 6 VOLT Cars... ALL 12 Volts as they were NOT in use back in the early 50s... when 6v was common.... I am going to use a High Energy ignition system [ a dick smiths kit] which has been upgraded over the years,the last upgrade in 1998. NOT CDI..
All You disconnect is the condenser, so if You do have a problem, just reconnect the condenser and away You go.. This system puts a VERY Small amount of current thru the points so only the rubbing block will wear... and then puts out a VERY high Voltage to the coil, which increases the High Voltage going to the spark plugs.
I had to buy a standard ignition coil, as the GT40 coil puts out too much high voltage. Not having to change the points all the time will be great.. So, I fully recommend any electronic ignition system.
It has to be better than checking & changing points all the time... You may even get a small increase in power, and better fuel economy... Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

blutopless2 DAMSLO

2,457 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#140831
thanks for the advice.... 😀
see.... air and water do mix 😉

1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro

modulus Veteran Volks Folk

2,009 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#140844
blutopless2 wrote:i am thinking of starting off by replacing all the spark plugs, the leads, rotor, points, distributor cap and coil ...
A very good idea, before going further.
Volkspower had a forum discount going which offered plugs, leads, points, cap, condenser, oil, filters etc. for ~$100; worth giving them a call...
Peter Hill
1975 Type 2 Double Cab
modulus.com.au

mnsKmobi Wolfsburg Wizard

589 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#140934
There IS a 6 volt electronic ignition. See here for details.

blutopless2 DAMSLO

2,457 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#140951
thanks... will have a squiz :thumb
see.... air and water do mix 😉

1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#141120
Have a squiz at what....
I didn't see anything....
Has it been deleted????
You could use a 6v to 12 volt inverter for a 12v electronic ignition...
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

lugnuts Custom Title Time!

1,070 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#141234
here :P

Peter Leonard Moderator Volatile

1,456 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#141625
lol lugnuts 😉

mebbe a bit tricky For Some, mns kombi.

downside of the lower current passing thru the points, is they cease to 'self-clean' ie little hazy oily deposits can stop you dead, or make you think something is horribly wrong. easily fixed tho, wipe between the points with something non- greasy and very slightly abrasive, like plain paper. so all you have to do as maintenance is that, and adjust the gap every few thousand miles as the rubbing block wears 😀


:thumb
let sleeping dubs lie