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Points or electric??

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johnnyb Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Feb 2011 ·

#869028
I have a 1972 Type 3 and I have been toying with the idea of switching from points to electronic. Any comments or suggestions welcome.

Also, when the engine is turned off after running for a while with the engine warm to hot, it is quite often difficult to restart the engine. The engine turns over and over and over but nothing fires!!! All I am left with is the smell of fuel. Not ideal if you stall it. This is one of the reasons I am thinking of switching to an electronic ignition. My theory is hopefully to get better spark and therefore the engine should fire.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#869032
johnnyb wrote:I have a 1972 Type 3 and I have been toying with the idea of switching from points to electronic. Any comments or suggestions welcome.

Also, when the engine is turned off after running for a while with the engine warm to hot, it is quite often difficult to restart the engine. The engine turns over and over and over but nothing fires!!! All I am left with is the smell of fuel. Not ideal if you stall it. This is one of the reasons I am thinking of switching to an electronic ignition. My theory is hopefully to get better spark and therefore the engine should fire.
Yes,
I have pertronix electronic ignition fitted to My beetle and it starts every time.. You never need to touch the distributor again apart from a drop or two of oil when You change the engine oil..

You don't get any extra spark unless You get a High energy ignition system...
these can be expensive ,,,

one other thing ALL VWs should have is the HOT START
modification....
this should fix Your problem...

instead of the power to Your starter motor solenoid going from the battery to the ignition switch all the way back to the starter motor..

You install a relay under the rear seat or next to the starter motor... so.. when You turn the key...

the power goes from the battery thru the relay to the starter motor... a LOT more power to start Your engine..

this is an inexpensive fix ... normal relay... $10 approx
plug for the relay with wires... $6 approx

need any more info just ask

LEE


PS: Pertronix is also recommended..
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#869034
what distributor are You running>???

I was running a Bosch German 009 distributor for years
until I replaced it with a German Bosch SVDA distributor...
and it DOES make a difference...

BOTH Vacuum and Mechanical advance...

sooo. smooth... better economy... More get up & go ...

cheers

LEE


PS: Pertronix or other kits may NOT fit the 009 and the SVDA
so, if You are going to purchase the SVDA don't buy a kit for a 009... there are other brands of these also... LEE

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

cam070 Custom Title Time!

1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·

#869035
I don't know if electronic ignition will fix your hot start issues but the lack of maintenance has to be a winner in my book.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#869036
ELCTRONIC IGNITION [points replacement only] are much better than points naturally as points need adjusting all the time to be Perfect.... plus points burn and pitt...

a very ancient system.... lol
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#869074
Hard starting during hot and smell of fuel? Ur bowl not leaking into the engine and flooding it?
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#869078
I use an empi accufire electronic ignition and a bosch blue coild in a 009 dizzy and it is great, no issues set and forget
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#869101
check the carburetors to see if either are flooding due to a leaking needle and seat...

which lets the fuel bowl over flow into the throat of the carby...

to start a flooded engine...
hold the accelerator to the floor and start the engine...
[don't pump the accelerator] just push down once...

this opens the air flap in the carbies allowing More air into the engine to help combustion..

once the engine starts... take Your foot off the accelerator..

I hope this helps...

[points are only in the correct position for a short period of time as the wearing rubbing piece wears down on the shaft...
also, any pitting.. burning will also put the timing out...]

Pertronix etc will stop all this... engine is in time.. all the time.

cheers

LEE


German 009 yellow
German SVDA

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

johnnyb Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Feb 2011 ·

#869177
Hey all, thanks for the heads up on some of these issues. I think the switch to electric is now inevitable.

Lee, that hot start set up looks like an interesting solution as well. This is the first time (self confessed novice here) I have seen this set up. Anybody else got comments on this?

acemarc Casual Dubber

41 posts · joined Jul 2010 ·

#869786
My fasty was hard to start, rough to drive. $50 on a twin carb kit for the Solex's and a couple of cans of carby cleaner - the difference is unimaginable! The next thing I would like to do is EI.

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 ·

#869791
make sure you keep a set of points in the glovebox though.

Some of the electric kits can crap out for no reason. You can never tell when or which brand though.
BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#869792
johnnyb wrote:Hey all, thanks for the heads up on some of these issues. I think the switch to electric is now inevitable.

Lee, that hot start set up looks like an interesting solution as well. This is the first time (self confessed novice here) I have seen this set up. Anybody else got comments on this?
its so big in the USA You can buy kits for it.... lol

but all it is really is a Narva-Bosch relay with a plug and the wires..

the numbers are printed on the top of relay, so makes it rather easy..

a New Battery and New ignition switch will give You similar but not as good results... plus new terminals on the wires..

the relay uses very little power so its ideal.. so the ignition switch will no longer burn/pit etc.. with the high current..

cheers

LEE

PS: with electrical points - best to always carry new points and condensor in case they are needed...
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#869830
johnnyb wrote:Lee, that hot start set up looks like an interesting solution as well. This is the first time (self confessed novice here) I have seen this set up. Anybody else got comments on this?
Modern cars have used them for decades, and you will find the vast majority of VWs have had them fitted to as the crappy repro ignition switches availble these days only last about 5 mins without one.