VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

aba bottom end with 1.8 head problems help!!

Jump to Latest
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
S

stillslow

· Registered
Joined
·
51 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
i just put it together and it does not run right
Image
do i have to use my stock distributor because i just left the 97 dis in? will that cause any problems? any input from someone who has done this would be very helpful
Image
thanx
 
#2 ·
Re: aba bottom end with 1.8 head problems help!! (stillslow)

You need to do a search on this conversion as this has been discussed in detail.
Short answer... no, the 97 ABA distributor will not work, unless you are running this engine on the ABA ignition/ECU. Assuming you are installing this combination in a Mk1 or Mk2 , you don't say in you post, you need to get a distributor conversion kit from Techtonic Tuning to use your "stock distributor".
BTW... I assume you are also running knock sensor ignition? If your car does not have it already, you need to add it to run the 10:1 compression ratio your combination gives.
 
#4 ·
Re: aba bottom end with 1.8 head problems help!! (stillslow)

I've done the same swap you're doing now, I put details about the distributor and numerous other things related to the swap on my website.
BTW, this part isn't on my site yet but, if your ignition system is the knock sensor type, it's fairly easy to convert the 97's distributor to work with your ignition system, just remove the trigger wheel and sensor unit from the old distributor and install it in the 97's, just be sure to mark the position of the trigger wheel before you take it off off the old distributor so that you can get the orientation right when you re-install it. Doing this eliminates having to worry about adapter bushings, swapping gears etc.


[Modified by ABA Scirocco, 10:31 AM 1-26-2003]
 
#5 ·
Re: aba bottom end with 1.8 head problems help!! (ABA Scirocco)

ABA 'roco has it right. Just swap the triggering ring. I don't like the adapter rings, they cover the oiling hole on the dizzy. We ran an older dizzy with the adapter ring in the racecar, but they would constantly fail.
We believe that because the adaptor partly (actually mostly!) covers the oiling hole for the distributor shaft, the distributor doesn't get properly oiled. So when driving the car hard, the shaft doesn't get lubricated enough, overheats and melts the dizzy down. It's pretty ugly. We've changed to using the ABA dizzy, with the 4 window rotor and have no problems since.
 
#7 ·
Re: aba bottom end with 1.8 head problems help!! (stillslow)

You need a hammer, a vise and a marker. Put the distributor in a vise, use a plastic or brass faced hammer and tap sharply on the shaft (the end the rotor fits on), that will release the wheel from the shaft and the shaft will drop with the gear still attached will drop out of the distributor, remove the wheel from both distributors ( make sure to mark their postions), take the sensor unit out of you old distributor, put it into the ABA distributor. To re-instal the wheel, put the shaft and gear back into the distributor, put the gear up against a solid backing like a vise, place the wheel onto the shaft, line it up, put a deep socket over the end of the shaft, hammer down on it until the wheel is fully seated.
Please note however, this procedure will only work if you are using a knock sensor ignition. If you are using a vacuum advance distributor, you need to get an adapter ring (call Techtonics, they sell them) put it on your old dizzy, remove the gear from your ABA's dizzy and install it on your old distributor. The old distributor is now ready to use in your new engine.
 
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
About this Discussion
7 Replies
4 Participants
Last post:
stillslow
VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum
posts
85M
members
1.5M
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to all Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
The Car Lounge Golf IV & Jetta IV Golf III & Jetta III Golf II & Jetta II Golf IV/Jetta IV Parts