Distributor Question??

[windlake]

Can I tell the difference between a 009 or a 050 distributor? I have a 1974 914-4 1.8L. Is an electronic ignition a good idea?

[MXMARK]

Do you have Carbs? The 009 should not be used, even though I have one on mine. If I do not run race gas the motor detonates like crazy. I have a 2533 high compression in my 914 now. 29 degrees total on mine which means maybe 9 of less to start. The 050 is a little bigger maybe better? The last 3 numbers will tell you which one. Some of the stock units work very well. If FI then I think you must use stock units.I am buying a mallory unilite with vacuum, and the grey/ grey springs. Look up distributors in the tech articles here and on aircooled.net They sould help you. I hope this helps Mark

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

With D-jet you must use the stock distributor (or at least one from a D-jet car). With L-jet you can use an aftermarket one.

The stock distributor will have a vacuum cannister on the side of it. The aftermarket 050 and 009 will not. (Note that the VW part number of one of the stock 914 1.8 distributors actually ends in "009", even though it isn't the "009" distributor! The Bosch part number ends in "205" and a letter, I believe--so this is a "205" distributor.)

A points replacement is almost always a good idea IMHO. I hate messing with points; I like a system that you can set and forget.

--DD

[Scrappy]

An 009 and 050 look the same - there is a different part number on them (Bosch).

As Dave said, your stock dizzy will have both the Bosch OE and the Porsche OE. The below was fitted to your car:

BOSCH OE is 0 231 181 009 or 0 231 176 048

PORSCHE (VW) OE is 022 905 205 AA or 021 905 205 AB, respectively.

The other 009 has no vac advance, nor does the 050.

[Jason Porter]

The "009" has a shorter advance curve. If I'm not mistaken, the advance comes in full at around 2200RPM's. It's more of a type 1 distributor, because they can rev faster and higher, (until Jake finishes his type 1 exhaust port style type 4 heads.

The "050" has a broader curve, and comes in full about 1,000 RPM's higher. It's much more suited for the type 4 engine, especially with an aftermarket cam.

Edit - The "009" and "050" have different caps and rotors, and the "050" is a little larger.

The "205" is vacuum advance, and is unbeatable with factory injection or aftermarket injection for that matter. Unless of course you step up to the money and get a Mallory.

The Mallory "4554101" is the carb model. It's the best, but pricey. I'm not sure what the part number for the vacuum advance Mallory is, as I'm a redneck, and like carbs.

[MXMARK]

Jason, that is funny homey. The vac advance mallory is 4754101. Thank you Mark