The Hot-Spark SVDA 034 distributor is ideal for use with most 12-volt, stock, air-cooled Volkswagens, except later models with factory electronic ignition and those with certain early Bosch fuel injection systems triggered by the distributor.

We disassemble each distributor; everything is checked, adjusted, lubricated, etc. We then set and test the advance curve on a Sun distributor tester.

The Hot-Spark SVDA 034 distributor fits the following Volkswagen models (12 volt, negative ground only):

• Type I - Beetle, Bug 1946-1979

• Karmann Ghia, 1956-1974

• Thing, Type 181, 1973-1975

• Type II: 1950-1979 Bus, Transporter, Station Wagon, Kombi, Westfalia Camper (not '79 California bus)

• Type III - 1962-1973

• Type IV (412) 1974

• Vanagon 1980-83½, 2.0 liter, air-cooled (except California model)

• Most 4-cylinder, air-cooled Porsche with points distributors (not for early 1970s D-Jetronic fuel injection)

• Models with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection: 1975-79 Bus, 1980-83 Vanagon (not '79-83 California models)

Uses these standard Bosch replacement parts:

• Rotor: 04 033
• Distributor Cap: 03 010
• Vacuum Can: 07 059

Timing the SVDA 034 Distributor

Use a stroboscopic timing light. Timing should be set initially at 30-32° BTDC at 3,200+ RPM, vacuum hose disconnected and plugged. Maximum advance, at 3,200+ RPM, vacuum hose connected, with no load on engine (car sitting still), light throttle, should not exceed 42-44° BTDC.

For proper operation of the distributor's vacuum advance, the vacuum source needs to be able to generate a minimum of about 8 inches (200 mm) of Hg. If your engine is running a high-lift, long duration cam, with cam overlap or an aftermarket carburetor setup without an available vacuum source, the vacuum-advance mechanism may not advance fully.  However, the distributor's centrifugal-advance mechanism will provide the same advance curve as a properly set-up 009 centrifugal-advance distributor, simply by capping off the vacuum port.

Compatible Carburetors: The following carburetors should produce the proper amount of vacuum for use with the SVDA 034 distributor (if they are fitted with a vacuum port):

• Weber DFAV or DFEV
• Solex 30PICT-3
• Bocar 30/31
• Single or dual IDF
• DRLA
• ICT
• Solex 30/31
• 1972-1974 VW bus with dual carburetors
• Kadron
• Solex 34PICT series
• Bocar 34PICT series
• 1975-83 Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection ('75-'83 VW Bus, Vanagon, etc.)

The Solex 30PICT-1 and 30PICT-2 carburetors may not produce enough vacuum to take full advantage of the SVDA 034 distributor's vacuum advance.

If your car has Kadron or ICT carbs, connect the vacuum hose to at least one carburetor. If your car has dual IDF or DRLA carbs, run a vacuum hose to both carburetors, T them together and then run the vacuum hose to the SVDA 034's vacuum port.

If your '71 VW Bus or '71-'74 VW Beetle/Ghia/Thing has the original dual-vacuum distributor and you replace it with the SVDA 034, you'll need to plug (cap off) the carburetor's retard vacuum port, which is the port located closest to you as you're looking at the carburetor from the rear of the car. Use the advance vacuum port, located on the left side of the 34PICT carburetor.

Works with Bosch L-Jetronic Fuel Injection: 1975-1979 VW Bus and 1980-1983½ air-cooled VW Vanagon (not 1979-1983 California models)

This distributor requires a 12-volt, negative ground electrical system.

Coil: Stock Bosch coil or HS15HEC high-energy coil OK. Coil must have 1.5 Ohms or more internal, primary resistance. To measure primary resistance: Label and remove all wires from coil. Measure between coil’s + and - terminals with a common digital multimeter, in the 200 Ω mode. Allow a few seconds for the reading to settle, until it stabilizes. Subtract about 0.5 Ohms from the reading to compensate for multimeter’s inherent resistance.

Test the charging system's maximum voltage: If the charging system voltage, measured at the coil's positive terminal, is more than 14.2 volts at 2,500+ RPM, the voltage regulator likely needs replacing. Too much voltage can damage the ignition module and other electronic components.

Click here to see SVDA 034 installation instructions.