No spark+power spark distrubitor?

[jimjim11]

hi, i have just bought a 1985 crewcab 1.9dg the old distrubitor was not on the engine when i bought it was told it had been stolen, i rang main dealer and usual motor factors no one could get it, so bought a power spark one off ebay, think i have set it up right my dad helped (dad knows best blah blah) but still cant get a spark when the plug is in the ht lead and turn engine over by hand, when the plug is back in and turn the key its turning but not firing, when i rang powerspark a bloke there said if the old dizzy was stolen this could of dis lodged what the dizzy sits in and he said if so i got to strip the engine down, does any one have any knowledge of power spark dizzy's if so let me know please i'm pulling my hair out, thanks

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Dizzy eh.......

First of all what ignition do you have?

Depending on the engine and its history it can have 2 types of setup.

1) The most common: Hall effect electromechanical. : This has 2 electronic looking boxes on the LHS of the engine compartment, and fat plugs on a thick loom.

2) Traditional, (bay beetle) SVDA mechanical system, no boxes. 1 wire throughout.

Look carefully in the lhs of the engine bay and you may see where the self tapper screwholes are.

Don't panic, the good news is that you can retro fit the nr 2 system for the price of the hall senser unit of the nr 1.

Right, Powerspark and similar.....

These are ok, but you have to have the coil to go with it. If you have got the remains of system 1, you will probably have a zero resistance coil, if 2 then anywhere between 1 and 3 ohms.

Best to get the coil from Powerspark. Talk to them.

Right, next thing.... I' ve done loads of these engines, and would not look to set it up with an electro gadget...

Simply because these VW motors need to be set just right initially for a long and happy life..

By all means, once sorted, run the Powerspark, as you will not have points to adjust.

A Chinese knock off SVDA Bosch dizzy is about 35 pounds. ( need resistance coil see above)

This will serve nicely to get you going.

Dont forget the dizzy drive in the block is offset, so put it in right way round.

Then sods law will say that your timing is 180 degrees out.

Have you access to a strobe timing light and a feeler gauge..

Maybe ask your dad....

Photos are always good......

This will give you an idea, theres part 1 and 2...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qayyc9Z4E0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cordialement..

[jimjim11]

wow thank you that was a great reply, i think i have the first ignition electromechanical type as i do have 2 boxes in the left hand side one is about 6 x 4 inches with a thick load of wire, looks like it goes to the rear light, and the other is a wide looking plug in which goes to the coil and dizzy, the coil is bosch, to be honest i just want it running and without spending a fortune, this dizzy cost £70 and the coil looks very old, so a new low resistance one sounds in order, will probley be able to barrow a timing gun, so i think i might ring powerspark people tomorrow and order new coil, so should get a spark and a cough with a low resistance one?, it also has an lpg kit already on the engine so once i can get it running on petrol i can take it to a gas garage to get that checked, this wouldn't affect the spark would it? again any help appreciated thanks

[ermie571]

Once you have it running on petrol, gas will be easy.

You may need to get the gas adjusted in terms of mixture but I am not aware that the spark will affect it.

Did you put an ask out on here for a second hand dizzy - if you can getting running on orginal stuff first - always the best.

They are available.

regards

Em
x

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Glad things are going in the right direction,

Still want to set up on SVDA dizzy NOT the dreaded 009, you NEED vacuum advance, they're not dear, and always handy as a spare in case of breakdown on holiday.

Let me know how you get on.

Cordialement,



PS: hope you've still got hair left, you ain't fixed the van yet