Richard -

The metal cans on both my 84's disappeared ages ago (PO's).  Like
Dennis says, run the 03214 distributor cap.  I upgraded to that cap
(and the 2.1 wires) over a decade ago without any problems on the
Westy and few years ago after buying the GL.  Works just fine for me.

-- 
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
75 914 1.8 "Nancy"
Full Timing From March 1999 To January 2012
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
Find me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Thompson/100000710343835
***********************************

On Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 6:57 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Was searching around and saw that GoWesty offers the conductive plastic Bosch 03-214 cap:
>
> http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3114&category_id=&category_parent_id=
>
> But it appears to be for only a 2.1 engine, 1986+.� Would it fit a 1.9 engine (distributor) like mine?� Probably not, or they wouldn't make the distinction.� For whatever reason, my "style" of distributor cap is the kind that has male studs, and my spark plug wires have the female connection to these studs.� And I'm still wondering what the "static suppression" features of a can or conductive plastic actually do?� I mean, surely they will eliminate or minimize static on the car radio, and from some internet searching read about somebody (not a Vanagon) was actually killed by a car fire where the root cause was a spark jumping from the distributor that did not have the metal can to a carburetor.� So maybe that's why it was added....to prevent lawsuits.� Of course, carburetor systems have a lot of explosive gas vapor around in the engine compartment whereas fuel injection systems do not.� Was VW just playing it safe from a litigation standpoint?
>
> Took my van out for another ride tonight without metal can around distributor; freeway driving this time.� Good performance; no static on AM or FM either.� (Truth be told, the radio is from a 1993 Honda Civic, not an original Vanagon Blaupunkt radio, so maybe more modern static filters.)
>
> So I'm still a little perplexed as to whether the can is needed or not.� Based on the roadtest tonight, I think not.� But don't want to come up with a surprise when it's time for Mr. Smog Test here in California.� And of course do not damage regarding performance or other components.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> --- On Thu, 4/5/12, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> Subject: RE: Metal can around distributor cap...do you need it?
> To: "'Richard Koerner'" <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>, vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Thursday, April 5, 2012, 6:21 PM
>
> Upgrade to the later cap such as the Bosch 03-214. The shield is a
> conductive plastic. The shield can also be removed and reused at cap
> replacement time. This cap uses male posts instead of the hollow barrels for
> the wire connections. Most aftermarket wire sets fit both. This shield works
> better and does not collect dirt and road salt which can sometimes collect
> between the metal shields and wires connections shorting things out when
> wet.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Richard Koerner
> Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 10:24 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Metal can around distributor cap...do you need it?
>
> Every time I take off the distributor cap on my 1985 1.9 L motor (which I
> did last night to replace), it's a big hassle for me to deal with that metal
> can with the ground strap which press-fits around the distributor cap,
> especially when putting things back on.� Do you need it?� I assume it's some
> kind of static-suppression device, but most modern radios have much improved
> filtering than their predecessors in the 80's.� Any other function of that
> can that I am missing, like interference with any of my engine electronics?
> I took it off, van ran normally, no static on my radio on AM or FM.
>
> (Oh by the way Scott, I did add a few drops of light oil to the felt pad
> under the rotor while I was in there, like I always do after you mentioned
> that!)
>
> Rich
> San Diego

-- 
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
75 914 1.8 "Nancy"
Full Timing From March 1999 To January 2012
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
Find me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Thompson/100000710343835
***********************************