Distributor Thrust Spring

[Gypsie]

I have not seen a distributor thrust spring since I have owned this van. I see it in the Bentley.

2 questions:

1. How necessary is it and what are the problems with not having one. (I have been driving for 2 years without one).

2. Do you have one that you could take a picture of (next to a dime for perspective) and post here? I have a bin full of springs and could probably make one.

Thanks

[bottomend]

I was wondering the same thing. I just tore down an engine and there was no spring. I've never seen an engine WITHOUT one. Hummmm....

[Amskeptic]

That spring is to allow thermal expansion between the distributor shaft, the intermediate drive shaft and the brass gear. Because the brass gear is a helical gear, it can change the timing rapidly due to play. The spring keeps the intermediate drive shaft firmly placed in relation to the brass gear. With sloppy gears and without the spring, the intermediate drive shaft will spool up and down slightly causing erratic timing.
Colin

[Gypsie]

Thanks for the function explanation.
Does anyone happen to have one that they can photograph (or a good physical description will do, diam./length/etc)? I checked around a bit and cannot find one (I didn't look online yet).

I have never had one and the photos/diagrams in the Bentley are not clear enough.

[hambone]

Hmmm, I wonder if a VW dealer would still carry that part?
Also, put up a request for one in the "parts" section.

[Westy78]

How's this work for ya?

[Gypsie]

Jasan: you 'da man! Lovin' the metric ruler!