The tune-up kit for the most common distributor swap

The Bosch 009 is the distributor half the air-cooled world ended up running, whatever the car left the factory with. It needs its own points and condenser, and it times differently from any factory distributor: set by total advance, not by an idle figure. This kit is the parts list our VW Tune-Up Spec Lookup gives for a 009, for 5% less than buying them one at a time.

What's in the kit

Fitment

• Any VW Type 1 upright engine with a Bosch 009 distributor, 1961–1979: Beetle, Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Bus with a Type 1 engine, Thing
• Dune buggies, sand rails and kit cars running a Type 1 with a 009

How to tell you have a 009: no vacuum can on the side of the distributor body, and the Bosch number on the body starts 0 231 178.

Not for: factory vacuum distributors (use the kit for your year), SVDA distributors, or electronic ignition.

How to do the job

1. Engine dead cold: adjust the valves to 0.006" (0.15 mm) and fit the new cork gaskets.
2. Fit the points and condenser, gap the points to 0.016", and check dwell.
3. Fit the rotor and the gapped plugs.
4. Drain the oil, clean the screen, and reassemble with the new gaskets and washers. Refill with 2.5 L (2.64 qt).
5. Warm it up, plug the carb's vacuum port, and set total advance to 28°–32° BTDC at 3,000+ rpm. Idle timing will land near 7.5° BTDC. Never use a factory 5° ATDC or 0° TDC figure on a 009.

Questions we get

Can I use the factory points in a 009? Use the 009-specific set in this kit; it's matched to the distributor.

What timing light do I need? Any inductive light works if your pulley is marked at 28°–32°. The Innova 3568 reads advance directly, so you don't need marks.

Is oil included? No. You need three quarts; our PennGrade 1 high-zinc oil is sold by the quart.

Related parts

• VW Tune-Up Spec Lookup
• Feeler gauge set · Innova 3568 timing light