[thegave]

Huh I'd been wondering about this project. Glad progress is being made and the engine checks out fine. @patlew the car has a 3A installed.

 

[Madriverarms]

Anybody have the part number of the distributor vacuum unit for a 1983 GTI? Seems I need one with vacuum advance and retard. Not sure if it makes a difference but this is a California car.

 

[ToddA1]

I’ve never seen a GTI with a retard nipple, but I’ve never owned a CA GTI.

-Todd

 

[Madriverarms]

I’ve never seen a GTI with a retard nipple, but I’ve never owned a CA GTI.

-Todd

I’m only basing this on the sticker under the hood which shows a timing retard line. I’ll take a pic and post it tomorrow.

 

[patlew]

Some early rabbits had vacuum retard. I believe the GTI had only advance. I'll see if I can get a P/N off mine.

Early model with vacuum retard.

 

[Madriverarms]

Here’s a picture of the vacuum diagram under the hood:

 

[ToddA1]

My 84 GTI has the same decal. I can’t be 1000% sure, but I doubt it started as a CA car.

-Todd

 

[patlew]

Same here. Found the same decal. I did get a pic of the part number of the distributor. Idk if it's the factory one but it's the one that came with the car. 0237020089. I do not have the vacuum switch installed on the vehicle. Don't know if someone deleted it along the way.

https://flic.kr/p/2mY3czS

 

[ToddA1]

nyfam posted the gti dizzy pn, in my gti thread. He claims the weights were lighter ie, faster advance.

Just remembered I do have the pn he mentioned, but it’s ugly and needs to be refurbed.… another thing added to the never ending list.

-Todd

 

[Butcher]

Lighter weights would have a slower advance. Lighter springs a faster advance.

 

[ToddA1]

Lighter something….

-Todd

 

[Madriverarms]

Well it's been quite a while since I posted an update...

One of the initial items that needed to be addressed was the steering column. Here's a short video detailing the issue at hand:

As you can see from these pictures I also added the Tech-53 bearing retainer. The end product turned out nice compared to the original parts:

With the column sorted I can move on to the next item...