RE: [T3] '70 square tuning

[Jim Adney <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 26 May 2007 at 16:25, Adriel Huntington Rowley wrote:

> I have a millimeter, it even measures temperature.  

I think you mean multimeter.  ;-)

> I now realize Volker put on Type 1 Spark Plug wires (maybe this is why
> the hatch does not seat), when mine with the L-connectors were fine.  I
> thought he only did a tune-up on the distributor.  Thus, these should
> be fine.  

See if there's any chance that you can get the old plug wires back. 
If those were the original L-connectors they are better than anything 
you can buy today, and they are almost irreplaceable. They just screw 
into the wires, so it's easy to keep them and still replace the parts 
that need replacing.

You really need some kind of right angle connectors on top of the 
dist. Otherwise, the wires will wear against the heat shielding and 
damage the shielding and themselves. It doesn't seem like it's been 
long enough to damage the wires yet, but that's certainly something 
to look at.

I have good used ones, but a set of 5 will cost you more than the 
replacement wireset. I also have replacement type 3 wiresets with 
right angle fittings, but they're not the reusable OG kind.

I'm not too impressed by your mechanic.

> So, what else should I look at for the dead cylinder(s) and the
> jolting?

I'd be thinking about spark. If the SP wires are new, then it's 
unlikely that there's something wrong there, but I'd check the 
resistance thru each one anyway. The 4 to the 4 plugs should measure 
~1 kOhm. The coil wire should measure ~0 Ohms. The rotor should 
measure ~ 5 kOhms. Anything close is good enough. Check the wires to 
make sure they're not rubbed thru anywhere. 

If it's been damp where you are, then that is something that will 
cause trouble until the engine warms up. There are some special 
silicone boots which are a pretty good fix for that. 

> Oh, since I will be going to the Classic, how do I fix the sloppiness
> of the stick, especially in first? I checked the manuals, but with no
> luck. 

There's a nylon bushing that the shift rod runs in. They can wear out 
and require replacement. Replacement is covered in the Bentley, but 
yours may actually be normal. Up thru '70 they are pretty loose. You 
might want to go to the show and compare yours with some other pre-
'71 cars before you decide on this. Make sure that the cars you 
compare with haven't changed to a different shifter setup.

-- 
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Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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