187 wrote:

> ive got a 71 std. beetle 1600 dp manual trans.
> im having a problem with the rubber isolator going into the dist.
> melting.
> i've determined that its melting from the outside(wires are not blackish,
> still look like new copper)
> it seems to be cooling ok, or at least the fan is blowing strong.
> im wondering if the thermostat could have anything to do with this or if
> maybe carb. adjustment or timing could be the cause
> the car runs great untill the rubber melts and the wire inside grounds out
> stopping spark.
> it has a bosch coil, the dist. is original except for points and cond. the
> rest of the ignition system is aftermarket.
> thanks in advance for any replies
> matt
>
>

"...rubber isolator going into the dist...."

Is this the high tension lead from the Coil to the Distributor Cap?

Or is it the small blob of rubber which protects the Green
wires that go to the condensor and points?

If it's the blob, melting would be a sign that the engine case
is hot since the distrib casting is directly in contact thermally
with the case.

First step would be to find out exactly how hot the engine
really is. A good indicator is the oil temp. There are plenty
of engine oil temp gauges on the market for VW's.
Another choice is to pick up a kitchen meat thermometer with a
probe long enough to reach down the dipstick hole to the oil level.
You're no longer limited to the old mechanical thermometers;
there are myriad electronic ones available with digital readouts
and even with remote (radio) indicators.
To get some idea of what is new, go to eBay and search for:
"Taylor Digital Thermometer"

Back to the oil temp. A Beetle should run below ~ 105C
at legal freeway speeds on a hot summer day/
And the Ignition parts should be able to withstand that.

Do the temp measurement. Then you'll know where to go next.

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/