Guys, please respond asap, I'm in trouble here, dizzy problem! am I getting the shaft

lendaddy · 05-08-2002, 11:03 AM

Well as I said the other day I ordered a new distributor from Vertex. Mine had the .100" end float problem and was sacrificed to the Porsche gods. Anyway I just got my "new" one UPS Red. Guess what it has similar end float! Then to make matters worse it isn't even the right one!!!!!! It is the later Turbo version p/n 0 237 302 009 and I needed a 0 237 302 002. This one has vacuum advance and retard mine only has vacuum retard. Now the tech at Vertex claims NONE of these issues are a problem! He says it will work perfectly just block off the vacuum advance and let her rip. He also said endfloat is a non issue. Am I getting screwed here? Should I put it in and see? Why me.

Targa77 · Targa77's Garage

I'm not sure that this will help but my car has a distributor that doesn't use vacuum advance, just retard. My vacuum connector is plugged. According to John Walker's Workshop, it is designed this way and is absolutely normal.

lendaddy · 05-08-2002, 11:18 AM

ok, but the end float? Mine was .100" and this one appears to be about .045" and what about the mechanical advance curve? Would it/could it be the same?

Early_S_Man · 11:26 AM

It sounds like they sent you an SC distributor and not a Turbo distributor ... be sure to look VERY carefully at the drive gear, because the SC turns backwards compared to all '77 and earlier distributors. As far as the end float goes ... it IS an issue, and could be fixed by replacing a Bakelite/fiber washer from a part frrom a local hardware or motor repair shop, but there are more important reasons you probably don't want to use the wrong part!

The advance curve on a Turbo is VERY CRITICAL to the future health of your engine, so I recommend either talking to Andial or just sending the incorrect part back! Andial knows Turbo parts, and I don't ... so, check with someone who knows for sure! The Vertex person was just trying to put a snow-job on you!

lendaddy · 05-08-2002, 11:44 AM

Good call Warren! This thing doesn't even turn the same way!!!! Wow now what, I guess I am paying my penance for temper and impatience. I called Vertex back and he says "oh ok send it back" Then a big pause no apology whatsoever! Then the "send me your old one, I'll set it up how you want it". What a dork! Ya, it's on the way, right.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Hmm, I didn't respond to your first post when you said that you ordered the NLA distributor from Vertex for half the going cost of a used one...

Hmmm, I'll let it stand at that. I would have your distributor repaired, or try to get a good used one. I know that Tom Woodford of Factory Tour probably has one, but I'm not sure if he's willing to part with it (1-760-731-7535).

What Warren said is right - if you don't have the proper ignition advance/retard, especially on a Turbo, then you may set yourself up for serious detonation, which will destroy your engine.

If you can't find a good distributor, you might want to upgrade to an Electromotive system. Better technology, and only a bit more than a good used distributor...

-Wayne

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Another thought: If you've taken yours aparts, then you definitely want to get the advance checked or recurved by someone who can redo the distributor. I believe Andial does these repairs and modifications, but they are definitely not cheap...

-Wayne

Superman · 05-08-2002, 02:09 PM

I'm going to confess to having done business with Vertex before. Their prices are tantalizing and some of the stuff they sell is OE stuff and is perfectly fine for a great price. But you may also have shipping touble and/or botched orders. With stuff besides oil filters you can also run into arguments with them over whether the part is even correct. So, I don't award my business to them. I'm a cheapskate but I'm not stupid. At least, not so you can tell......

The more I learn, the more I do business with Pelican. I;m not on the payroll and I'm not trying to brown-nose Wayne.

82SC · 05-08-2002, 02:56 PM

one thing I like about vertex is their AOL IM tech help...real cool way to get instant customer service...

I ordered turbo tie rods from them before stumbling upon Pelicanparts....and haven't looked back...

AOL IM may be a really cool way to connect...also if more Pelican BBS posters had screen names that is a cool way to communicate...

MJ