Useful information from Paruzzi magazine and from our YouTube channel :
crimp terminals Replacing the complete wiring loom seems the most obvious solution. We have them all in stock for every type of VW. But this is a very drastic job that you will probably only do when a total restoration is at hand. And, is it really always necessary?
spark plug codes Spark plug manufacturers use different codes to identify their spark plugs. It can be very confusing if you are not familiar with their own brand names. At the end of this article, we summarize again the coding structure, so that everything becomes crystal clear.
voltage drops The electric consumers of your classic Volkswagen expect the full 6 volts or 12 volts (or more) to function properly, which is unfortunately not always the case. Especially the 6 volt version sometimes complains about slow running windscreen wipers, weak headlights and direction indicators that pinch too slowly.
Engine overhaul - video 05 install the distributor drive shaft This is the continuation of video 04, we are now going to install the distributor drive shaft, both on an already rebuilt Volkswagen Type 1 engine and on a split Type 1 crankcase. We pay a lot of attention to the correct positioning of the drive shaft at the beginning of this video series, because it is crucial to be able to adjust the ignition properly, later, when the engine is overhauled.
6 volts and 12 volts Until the early 1970s, the VW Beetles were equipped with 6 volts in their 1200 cc version. The 1300 cc Beetle was first equipped with a 12 volt system in 1968. The VW Bus and type 3 VWs were increased to 12 volts in 1967. Types 4 are in 12 volts, as they were only introduced to the market in the late 1960s.
measuring electric current To measure current, you must interrupt the circuit through which the current flows. The ammeter must be connected in series. Therefore, that a current clamp is a better solution. This type of ammeter does not affect the circuit to be measured, it measures the magnetic field around the conductor (induction principle, see edition 26).
Engine overhaul - video 07 TDC compression in practice In video six, we explained the operation of the four-stroke internal combustion engine through animations. In this video we will look at how to determine the top dead centre of cylinder 1 in practice. We will also learn how to find the compression stroke of cylinder 1, different techniques will be shown.
vacuum advance Both the vacuum advance and the mechanical advance were used for the VW Beetle, Karmann Ghia, VW Bus, VW Thing, type 3 and type 4. You can't stick a year of manufacture or type of engine on it, both systems do the same thing in the end, they bring forward the ignition time depending on the engine speed.
the distributor The intention is that we can adjust the ignition of our classic Volkswagen ourselves. First you have to know which parts have an influence on the operation of the ignition and you have to understand how the ignition circuit works, this is very important to be able to make a good diagnosis and to be able to adjust the ignition later on.
finding the top dead center What does Top Dead Center (TDC) actually mean? If you study the theory of the operation of an internal combustion engine - or the "petrol engine" - it will become clear. Without going into too much detail about the theory, we have to talk about the otto cycle, better known as the four stroke cycle.