Classic old distributer & their curves

[thomasz]

Old distributors and their parts are hard to get. Some parts such as vacuum advance/retard units are NLA so that substitutions have to be made. I have the current Bosch catalog for ignition parts but specific technical information is not given for vacuum and centrifugal advance units.

1. With information such as http://www.dgi.net/914/tech/distrib.html what is the best way to set up the distributor curves to be accurately stock. With suggestions please keep in mind that I probably won't have use of a Distributor tester machine.

2. Is data available in the same form as the above URL for 356, 912, 911, 912e, 924, VW, etc. (912e is a key interest for me.) I ask because it seems that used parts will have to be used.

3. Any source for springs, circlips, etc. other than the bins in the local hardware store?

4. Did the old vintage Bosch catalogs give more detailed information about distributor parts?

5. I want to post this in the different forums. Please forgive me if I am displaying bad etiquette.

Tom Zuraw

[mejulihn]

Not sure exactly what your intent is here, but stock remanufactured distributors can be purchased at most FLAPS for less than $90 USD.

[thomasz]

Can a stock p/n 0 231 176 060 for the 912e be purchased? They are obsolete in the Bosch catalog, and less than 2099 of the cars were made. So it is a pretty obscure part for anyone to carry.

BTW, is FLAPS a chain store not on the US East Coast or...?

Tom Zuraw

[mejulihn]

Sorry for the BB shorthand -- FLAPS = Friendly Local Auto Parts Store (i.e., Kragen, Napa, Auto Zone, etc). The 912E and the 914 share many engine parts in common. I would suggest you see if your part number is available thru one of these sources.

[thomasz]

It would be great if someone can surprise me but I believe I have already run into a brick wall as far as the FLAPS are concerned. (Pretty good eh? I used FLAPS in context.)

Of course they will claim to sell you something good enough. I have read enough threads about the 009 distributor that good enough may not be.

I am looking for some help & information that will enable me to duplicate stock.

Tom Zuraw

[Kevin Powers]

not being too clever about the 912 scene i will presume the "e" denotes an f.i. motor out of a 76. if that's correct would'nt the dist. from the 914 2.0 be a direct replacement? remember to include disp, induction system and other pertinant info for a more concrete response.

[pbanders]

Detailed data on the mechanical advance and vacuum retard/advance curves is given in the Porsche 914 Factory Workshop Manuals. For a specific design, the distributors can be recurved to meet specifications. The vacuum cells are adjustable (not sure about both of them, but one is). Spare circlips are probably standard hardware, a fastener supplier could match it for you.

I assume the factory workshop manuals for the other cars you list have similar distributor specifications information.

[thomasz]

The 912e has L-Jetronic fuel injection like the 1.8L 914. I have the factory service manual for the 912e and it gives three graphs labeled:
Ignition Advance for Distributor
Centrifugal Advance Curve for Distributor
Vacuum Advance Curve for Distributor

The manual does not have the specs in the form that Dave Darling compiled for the link mentioned above. That is, it does not list RPM advance values and beginning and ending vacuum with degrees changed. However with interpolation, the graph is more explicit. I would post a scan of the graphs but I do not have a scanner.

Can anyone post scans of the 914 graphs from the factory service manual. Of course the 1.7 and 2.0 are D-Jetronic and have distributors with the FI trigger points in the bottom. But the vacuum units may still be applicable.

An interesting point:
Some time ago I asked about the connections for the advance and retard ports. My car had the advance side unattached at atmospheric pressure. I reviewed the factory manual again and it lists for the 912E distributor
Version: 923 602 021 00 (without speed limiter)
Remarks: Centrifugal and single action vacuum control (retarded)
This is how mine is used, but it was not the concensus opinion from the replies. The replies basically said that there should be a "T" at the connection for the EGR valce vacuum hose. I think some of the replies were based upon how the 914 1.8L is attached. Does anyone know if the 914 Factory Manual remarks that the advance vacuum is attached?

Tom Zuraw