Distributor shaft slop?

[durtkillon]

I still have my case split as I'm installing my distributor per T. Wilsons manual. I dropped the distributor shaft with the spacer in, then installed the distributor clamp and distibutor as instructed, but I have way more that .5mm clearance. Upon closer inspection, there appears to be stairs or grooves cut in the case that may have been caused by the distributor shaft gear. I never found the spacer when I pulled the motor apart (although I didn't look for it). Can I just put more spacers in or do I have to have the case repaired? A local VW butcher shop suggested I machine my distributor down, but that doesn't seem like the right thing to do, since that will push the shaft down too much. Any suggestions from you veterans? I'm itchy to put this motor back together!!!!

Kurt

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

You had also the crankshaft with worm gear in there ?

centered under the distributor comes a little spring.

Under the disributor comes the mounting and clamp plate.

The gear will be driven by the crankrotation. I think downwards away from the distributor ( just check yourself 9

Can´t remember having a deeper groved housing but if there wasn´t the spacer the teeth would machine the case down.

If there is enough "flesh" in the case i woul ad an other shim too. But i would recomend to use two original shims, they are hardened and have little oilgroves.

Also check the brass drivewheel as this could be worn away. They are similar to Type 1 and 911 up to 1977.

If you start to make an killer engine then fix it correct or search an other case.

Try the specialists at the 4rum http://shoptalkforums.com/bbs/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=12&SUBMIT=Go


Grüsse

[durtkillon]

Vielen Dank, Roland.

I replaced the old brass distributor timing gear on the crankshaft because I damaged it when I initially split the case open. There was also some unusual wear on the gear when I inspected it, probably due to the displaced distributor shaft.

After looking at this case and thinking about it more, I am certain that the spacer was not inserted when the engine was rebuilt last.

I inserted the spacer and used the clamp without the spring to check the clearance (as instructed in T. Wilson's manual). It looks like there is about 4 or 5mm between the case and the bottom of the gear with the spacer.

It seems like I could have a thick spacer machined and put in place to fix the problem. Perhaps somebody could weld and machine material in? I don't know if this is possible or feasable. I have gone to great lengths to perform a very high quality rebuild on this motor, so I would hate to be cheap here.

I am rebuilding this motor entirely for the sake of learning and the pleasure of having restored life to a charming car. This is my first attemp at restoring and engine, so thanks to all that can help me out!

Kurt