Apparently, 'new' rebuilt distributors for the 2.1L have the simplified hall sender, only having hardware on the plug side.  The vendor double-checked their stock of distributors and all have this new style.

My non-starting problem after installing the new distributor was that I hadn't set cylinder one to TDC and adjusted the position of the distributor to match so it would fire on that cylinder.  Did this per vendor's instructions and she fired right up!

...wonder if stumbling issue will be gone now, heh...

Thanks for all the help!

From: Old Volks Home 
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 8:13 AM
To: Todd 
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com ; Ken Wilford 
Subject: Re: New distributor missing hall sender?

Hi Todd -

Looked at the 1237 010 039 this morning and it looks exactly like the 1237 010 027 that would have been originally equipped, so I have to agree with Ken that the wrong Hall Unit may have been installed by the so-called rebuilder.  Download and print the photo from the Airhead link I gave you last night, take that and the distributor back to the supply and show them the problem.
-- 
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
75 914 1.8 (No Name Yet)
Full Timing Since March 1999
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
***********************************
On Mon, Apr 19, 2010 at 8:40 PM, Todd <dermultivan@hotmail.com> wrote:

  Exactly - that is what I was expecting to see under the rotating piece!  Much appreciated.

  From: Old Volks Home 
  Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 8:37 PM
  To: Todd 
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com ; Jim At KGPR 
  Subject: Re: New distributor missing hall sender?

  Todd -

  That's very possible.  As noted in my previous post, Bosch superseded the hall unit last year and *may not* require/have that extra piece I see in the photo provided.

  Look at the photo at this link:

  http://www.airheadparts.com/viewDetail.asp?strMasterCat=&idproduct=6777

  That is the original style 1237 010 027 hall unit.  Personally I have not seen the superseded unit (1237 010 039), but I'll make a note to do so tomorrow morning (note the additional CC to remind me when I go in tomorrow morning).

  Thanx for the additional photo.
  -- 
  Jim Thompson
  84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
  84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
  72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
  75 914 1.8 (No Name Yet)
  Full Timing Since March 1999
  oldvolkshome@gmail.com
  http://www.oldvolkshome.com
  ***********************************
  On Mon, Apr 19, 2010 at 8:28 PM, Todd <dermultivan@hotmail.com> wrote:

    Thanks Jim.  Hmmm, maybe the hall sender is just a different form factor than the one I removed?  The former was using all the screw holes under the rotating stator piece and there is a lot more 'hardware' under there.  Pics of that one (before removal) here:
    http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1u85hy5mHGKX_61okvpmUoPPzRFRdLRTF6I6HHY68qY?feat=directlink

    From: Old Volks Home 
    Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 8:21 PM
    To: Todd 
    Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com 
    Subject: Re: New distributor missing hall sender?

    The rest of the hall unit is under the rotating stator piece.  remove the retaining circlip, then the stator (mark its position first) and it should be there.  The black connecting piece on the side of the distributor is the exposed half of the hall unit (or should be).  Bosch 1237 010 039 (formerly 1237 010 027).
    -- 
    Jim Thompson
    84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
    84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
    72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
    75 914 1.8 (No Name Yet)
    Full Timing Since March 1999
    oldvolkshome@gmail.com
    http://www.oldvolkshome.com
    ***********************************
    On Mon, Apr 19, 2010 at 7:55 PM, Todd <dermultivan@hotmail.com> wrote:

      Just received/installed a 'new' distributor from one of our vendors and the van just won't turn over.  Popped the cap, rotor, dust cap off and...am I wrong...is the hall sender missing??!  I assume a 'new' rebuilt distributor would come complete with everything.  Have a look, and thanks!

      http://picasaweb.google.com/dermultivan/NewDistributor?feat=directlink

      Todd
      91 Weekender