You searched for a part for your distributor. Many different distributors have been used over the years, in many cases they are interchangeable on other engines. The chance that your distributor is not what was installed by Volkswagen at the time is great. If you use our 'Distributor / ignition Tool', all available parts for your distributor are shown.
The ignition spark that is routed via the distributor to the spark plug must be optimally conducted. If the rotor is worn or burned, it can no longer guide the spark correctly via the distributor head to the spark plug and this results in poorer performance.
Every 5,000 km, check that the rotor is still intact and replace it if necessary. It is recommended to replace the rotor as well as the distributor head, as these two parts wear each other out.
Volkswagen has used different types of rotors over the years, hence the many versions. To find out which rotor applies to your engine, use our online ignition tool. This tool can be found in the blue area below the image or in the "Technical data" tab. After entering the VW or Bosch number found on your distributor, all parts that apply to your distributor will be listed.
Bosch Distributors (for original equipment applications)
Bosch has been Volkswagen's supplier from the very beginning, so most Volkswagens are equipped with a Bosch distributor. It's easy to check, the Bosch logo and Bosch part number are always indicated on the distributor.
In recent years, imitations of distributors have also appeared on the market, which are similar to the original Bosch in terms of distributor head, rotor, contact points and condenser. There is no Bosch or VW logo on the reproduction, but often the manufacturer's brand or part number.
Garbe-Lahmeyer distributors (for original applications)
At the beginning of the 1960s, sales figures were so high that Bosch could not produce distributors, so Volkswagen turned to Garbe-Laymeyer during this period. During this period, two brands were fitted, so you may not have a Bosch but a Garbe-Laymeyer dealer in your VW.
Garbe-Laymeyer only used VW part numbers and the VW logo was also printed in large print in the distributor, so no Garbe-Laymeyer logo or part number, as Bosch always did. These distributors met VW / Bosch specifications but used their own distributor head, rotor, contact points and capacitor.
Distributors 009 and 050
Bosch distributors 009 and 050 are only used for performance motors and owe their name to the Bosch number ending with 009 or 050. Both distributors are 100% centrifugal and have been applied as standard on Porsche engines.
On the original distributor, the Bosch logo and number are mentioned on the distributor and on the reproduction, it is not mentioned, often the manufacturer's brand or part number is mentioned. There is no reproduction of 050 distributor, only the 009.
123 distributor
The 123 is an electronic ignition system designed to replace Volkswagen's existing mechanical system, providing you with a virtually maintenance-free ignition system.
Useful information from Paruzzi magazine and from our YouTube channel :
Look for more technical articles on the page Paruzzi Magazine