[Footstomper]

I have a friend with a VW, he bought a new distributor. I put in on the engine, it runs, but it is weak. I had to adjust the valves, it works better. But he thinks he doesn't think he needs a advance vacuum. I think he needs it. I bet it would pull a hill with no problem. Don't you?

[ap72]

NO. A vacuum advance will not affect it when you put the engine under load, that's why it is vacuum advance. under load= low vacuum=no vacuum advance.

[Footstomper]

Almost all engines have advance vacuum, so it needs the vacuum advance? I checked the compression and it had a 60 compression, it was the weak cylinder. After adjusted the valves, we have 120 on all cylinders.

Thanks,

[ekacpuc]

Is it the 009? did the vw loose power after the swap? I think that the 66 had a 1500cc single port and it wasn't very peppy to begin with. Is it a single port? You can tell by looking at the intake ports, either its a single tube feeding the two ports or its a two runner deal very clean and has clearly two tubes.

I'd say of course it needs the vacuum advance hooked up or it wont run right up mid to high. Thats why they upgrade to the 009 I believe is for the intense advance

[ekacpuc]

http://www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/re...istributor.htm

read that and I hope it helps. good luck!

[jimfulco]

My '65 Bug had the 40hp motor, which came with a vacuum-controlled distributor. That distributor, which was normal for a VW with 40hp or higher motors during the '60s, had no centrifugal mechanism whatsoever, and didn't run worth a flip if the vacuum got disconnected.

I used an old 36hp distributor which had both centrifugal AND vacuum advance controls, similar to your garden-variety old Chevy from the same era, with good results. Best of both worlds, etc.

[Footstomper]

Thanks Jim,

Your information is gold, I have not worked on a VW in years. When I was a kid, my dad bought a 1963 beetle, it was black. We went to florida for 2 weeks, dad left the window about 4" open. A pregnant cat jumped up there to the window, had a litter of 7 kittens. It was in july and the cats all died and it smelled awful, they were in the back under the window. Dad got rid of the beetle, he got a 1965 bus. He said,"This thing can't pull a string out of a bulls butt". We were coming back from florida again, the throttle cable broke and dad was looking for a gas station on sunday, he finally saw someone laying on the bench. He was very drunk, but he got a coat wire and tied the carb to something, anyway, it was full throttle which did not bother dad. I is funny to remember those times.

Todd