@pmossberg @kall – As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  The builder fitted the top frame so that it would overhang the rear of the car and no matter how the top is folded it will not fit inside the body shell because the bows extend beyond the shell.

Toller. Another test I was shown was to disconnect the condenser terminal from the points and ohm it out. It should read one way and hardly at all or nothing the other way. If it reads in both directions its bad. I was told to think of it as a large diode passing lots of voltage one way and almost none the other way.

I agree with Paul.  If you look at some of the pictures in my profile you can see that the folded top of my Fiberfab fits inside the body shell. I have only had my top up a few times but it is complete and deploys correctly.

Since we do have kits, perhaps the frame was not fitted or assembled correctly, or replaced with something “non factory”.…[Read more]

I agree with Paul.  If you look at some of the pictures in my profile you can see that the folded top of my Fiberfab fits inside the body shell and flush with the top of the tub.  I have only had my top up a few times but it is complete and deploys correctly.

Since we do have kits, perhaps the frame was not fitted or assembled correctly, or r…[Read more]

I agree with Paul.  If you look at some of the pictures in my profile you can see that the folded top of mt Fiberfab fits inside the body shell and flush with the top of the tub.  I have only had my top up a few times but it is complete and deploys correctly.

Since we do have kits, perhaps the frame was not fitted or assembled correctly, or r…[Read more]

Ditto the symptoms noted above.

Solve it all by going with Pertronix. Everything fits under the distributor cap. They have kits specifically for VWs. And ditto what Kent said about electronic conversions. Carry a spare points and condenser in case the module fails.

So in the future when problems as described are encountered the definitive test when a defective condenser is suspected will be called the kentt burnt finger test aka KBF test Others may have used the test but kentt has been the first to document the process. Congrats

Vicenç

I’m curious about your comment that the top hangs down…over the rear of the car.

Are you folding it up correctly? The various manufacturer roofs are all a bit different, but in general…

On my Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess….

Loosen the top, unsnap it from around the sides and fold the sides up over the top (leaving it attached at…[Read more]

When I popped the distributor cap off, after the engine died, to check the points (to see if they may have moved and closed the gap) I found the condenser so hot that it would almost burn my fingers. I had already changed out the usual culprits of spark plugs, points, even etc. After that, I always replaced points and condenser at the same time.…[Read more]

Kentt
What led you to conclude the the condenser was the cause of the problem? I have encountered identical symptoms as you described and replaced plugs, plug wires, fuel filter, reset the points all to no avail. As points and condenser were less than a year old and had less than 200 kms run time had not considered that it would be failing. Was…[Read more]

I second that. Have had those same indications on a number of condensers that have failed. That’s another reason to switch to electronic ignition. But I carry a new set of points and a new condenser in a plastic bag as an emergency replacement.

I have. Symptom was intermittent spark/firing after engine warmed up. Right after starting, when engine was cool, it ran fine. The longer it ran, the worse it missed until the engine died. The condenser would get hot to the touch – I suspect it was breaking down internally due to heat buildup.

Thanks guys, yep, I know Bill here in Pittsburgh.

@edsnova – Sounds great, Ed.  Will do.

Vicenc: I’m sure Tim Miller (KDI) would love your business. You’d have to leave the car with him though, pretty sure. Tell him I said hi if/when you call him.

He was working out of his parents’ garage when I contracted him. The door panels were an easy thing, since I had already cut the backers & had clear pictures of what I wanted the finished…[Read more]

Dan! Good to hear from you!

@dggrant – you got @crash55 close to Pittsburgh.  He is working on his car as well so y’all should touch bases.

A lot of weird names in Sw PA. You got Mars but right next door is Moon and close by is Freedom and Economy with Laboratory down the road.

Sorry I haven’t been that active recently. I got Annie out of storage (in Wampum) only to find that mice had eaten a couple of holes in the vinyl roof cover, the hand brake has broken and the under carraige…[Read more]

@royal – I like the way you think.  I am pretty sure that I will go the route of having one custom made to avoid hassles.  I’ll start by checking with KDI Customs, @edsnova used them to make his door panels and they look really good.  I’m pretty sure I’m not going with Brooklands since my windshield doesn’t fold down but I guess I’ll have to ma…[Read more]