New Flame Thrower

OK I have a new dist since my old one lost it's spark have found half a dozen posts with a scattering of info. Since I am the keeper of very basic mechanical skills how about someone giving me the ABC's of changing this out. Start with how do I find TDC? then what

as always thanks for the help

Richard

When you say "Flame Thrower" I assume that you mean the Pertronix billet distributor and Flame Thrower II coil like I have, or possibly the new Flame Thrower III system. Here's how I did mine:
1. Ordered previously described system from CB Perf.
2. Received system from UPS
3. Marveled at how nicely made it seemed to be
4. Called a friend with a VW shop
5. Drove car to said friend's shop, carrying new ignition
6. Paid him to install it
7. Had a beer

Seems like the best plan to me ;-)

See you next month in the mountains!

or

Car died no spark at all Friend with VW shop is 30 miles away.

Got the Petronix dist and coil still need to get new wires

To change out the distributor requires not much skill but it does require that you re-time the engine via a timing light. I personally recommend a maximum of 28 degree's advance which means that you'll be timing your engine while it's turning 3,000 to 3,500 RPM's. Set 28 degree's BTDC at the split in the case and you're set.

To replace your distributor

Remove and mark any wires and or vacuum lines.
Remove your current distributor cap and look at the position of the rotor. Next, you'll need to know the firing order and position of each cylinder. Firing order is 1-4-3-2 From the back of the car, looking towards the front. #1 cylinder is located closest to the front on the right side of the car (Passenger side in the US)
#2 is located closest to the rear of the car on the right side (Passenger side in the US) #3 is located closest to the front of the car on the left side) (drivers side in the US) and #4 is located closest to the rear of the car of the left side (drivers side in US)

3 1
4 2

Rotate the engine until the "pointed end of the rotor" aligns with the position where the #1 spark plug wire is located.

Look at the base of your existing distributor. Ther is a flat clamp just above the engine case. One side has a small nut that can be tighten to stop the distributor from rotating, also on that clamp is a hole with an 8mm stud protruding secured by a nut. That keeps the distributor from raising out of the case.
Next, locate the 8 mm stud (in the engine case secured by a nut that will take a 13 mm wrench of if you don't have metric tools use a 1/2 in wrench. Remove the nut from the stud thus releasing the distributor from the case. Grab the distributor and pull upwards until it clears the case.

Note that the bottom gear has an offset key that aligns with the distributor drive in the engine case. Insert the new distibutor in reverse. You may have to remove and re-use the distributor clamp/hold down bracket.

Make sure that the rotor of the new distributor aligns with the #1 spark plug. and all that's necessary is to start and time the engine and then lock down the distributor.

Checked here...?
http://www.pertronix.com/support/manuals/default.aspx

I forgot to mention. If you only have limited mechanical skills and don't thoroughly understand how to time your ignition, I'd pay someone to do the job or find a friend with those skills wiling to help.

If you do that, don't forget step #7.

I usually go straight to step 7, call somebody to come help, we go back to step 7 a few times. Maybe work on the car.

Step 7 should be step 1. Then think about what you are going to do while performing step 7. That is my step 2, then proceed to the other steps afterward..............

I got to complete all of them so I can carry step 7 to the Smokies.

OK got thru step one and 7 but 7 turned out to be margaritias, she runs again but I have no guages working what wire goes where on the coil I must have crossed something up.
On + side I have dist wire, choke, oil spressure and another red from harness, on - side just the dist ground what am I missing?

Hmmm get sober fix car.

Of those two goals, the first is often the hardest.

12+ on the coil takes the 12+ wire that's energized when you turn the key. Other accessory wires that need to be energized are also attached to 12+ side of the coil

On the negative side you attach the wire from your distributor and the wire leading to your tachometer.

Thanks all. Got everything back except the actual timing got to find someone who knows how to tell where 30 BTDC is pully has 2 notches one wide one narrow wide one lined up with case with #1 on TDC. Car cranksa and runs drives ok till it heats up only drove about 2 miles but have no doubt its not right got black smoke and little power.

You could be timed on #3

Remove the #1&2 valve cover. Passenger side of your car.

Rotate your engine clockwise (looking from the back of the car forward) using a large adjustable wrench on the pulley bolt. Watch the valves as they move in and out. There are 4 valves in that head so watch the 2 closest to the front of the car. The inner valve is the intake and the outer is the exhaust. 4 stroke engines work like this: Intake, compression, power, exhaust

Watch as the intake valve moves towards the middel of the engine, that's intake. keep rotating until the exhaust valve moves towards the middel of the car then slowly moves to its outward position. As its moving "out" watch the crank pulley and when the exhause valve has reached its outer most position, one of your timing marks will line up with the center line of the case. That's top dead center #1. Look at the distributor cap and make sure that #1 spark plug wire is in the cap above the tip of the rotor. If not then pull the wires and starting with #1 wire, place it in the distributor cap hole right above the rotor. Next wire will be #4 and it should go in the first hole clockwise or to the right of the #1 wire, next wire in succession will be the #3 and finally the #2.

Sounds like you have a steel pulley so from where the top dead center mark is stamped in the pulley, measure to the right of the pulley 1 3/4" That's 30 before Top Dead Ceneter.. Take a piece of paper and measure exactly 1 3/4" then lay it on the pulley, it will conform to the circumference of the pulley and mark that spot. When you time the engine, have it turning at 3,000 to 3,500 RPM's and time that mark to the center line of the engine case but, when you time the engine, time it to the left of the 30 degree mark about 1/16" of an inch. That's 28 degree's before top dead center and that's where I like to time all VW's to help prevent detonation.

My friend who knows how to set timing did not know were 30 BTDC was. Thanks for the directions These 2 sets of instructions ought to be written up and put in the knowledge section. Made the 1 3/4 inch mark set it 1/16 ahead of that and man what a difference a 55 HP scalded dog......... runs great.

Thanks Roland

By the way Lane you got to quit telling me to do step 7 first I tend to listen..

Richard