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Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:04 am

So it appears that I need a new vacuum advance canister for my Bosch distributor but when I type in the part number everyone for sale online shows a canister with 4 mounting screws (first picture) and the one I have (second picture) just has two screws, and was wondering if those will fit? And the numbers on my distributor are 0231115078 and 113905205AA
Thanks.

Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:38 pm

Most new vacuum cans available these days are "one size fits some" style, with the four holes. The metal is very easy to drill or cut out to fit your distributor.

If you want it to look factory, contact one of the many distributor rebuilders on here, or try vwnos.com.

See you on the road,
Robbie

Sat Feb 29, 2020 11:13 am

Yeah thanks Asiab3. After I made this post I messaged the retailer who said it would fit but now that I got it I see the hole has to be exactly centered. So you think I could drill a hole in the middle between the two holes that are there on the new one and make it work? Thanks again,

Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:26 pm

You may need a slightly larger washer, like an M4 fender washer from your local mom and pop hardware shop. Like I said, it might not be pretty but it will be functionally perfect.

Just make sure whatever drill or Dremel you use doesn't bend the metal. No biggie if it does, just bend it back before installation. You can use the distributor body as a guide.

Robbie

Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:32 pm

Vacuum canisters have different part numbers for a reason. One is the mounting but more important is the amount of vacuum needed and the movement of the arm.

These generic ones are just that, generic. While they might fit they will not perform exactly as the original ones do.

Nos also might not work like new since the rubber diaphragm might harden over time.

Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:48 pm

The correct vacuum canister for a 113 905 205 AA has the number 277 stamped on the pull arm. This canister delivers about 5 degrees of advance at 230 mm/hg of vacuum. What are the specs on the one you bought? I probably have a good used 277 canister and may even have an NOS. You can PM me.

The typical generic SVDA canister (#579) delivers about 12 degrees of advance and only requires 200 mm/Hg of vacuum. If you installed that canister you'd be over advancing if you timed the distributor to stock specs. The salesperson who sold you the canister might be counting on your next purchase to be a new engine :shock:

Sat Feb 29, 2020 11:05 pm

Sure enough, NOS German Bosch:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2294873

And per Glenn's warning it tests good.

Send that generic canister back to where it came from :)

Sun Mar 01, 2020 11:51 am

if you look at the arms on both cans you can see that the distance from the back of the can to the part of the arm that acts as a stop is greater on the new one...hence greater amount of advance...get the right one....autosticks were usually driven flatfooted under low vacuum conditions so they needed more mechanical advance than a 4 speed could get away with

Tue Mar 03, 2020 12:18 pm

Glenn wrote:
Nos also might not work like new since the rubber diaphragm might harden over time.

This is not exactly true especially of the later ones. I found a few hundred NOS canisters and decided I'd take one apart to show how nice they are inside.

https://www.vwnos.com/nos-vacuum-canisters

What you might be seeing is DOA units that didn't work out of the factory. These do exists and you should ask anyone you purchase NOS vacuum canisters from if they test them. I test mine and guarantee mine. If they don't work when you receive it then send it back.

Tue Mar 03, 2020 3:14 pm

Here is a question for the dissy gurus:

On a bus it seems that they used about half of the vacuum advance that a beetle unit does. I am assuming that this is because it is generally working harder in a heavy vehicle even at a cruise, so it is likely always under a bit of load. Probably why vans generally run hotter and have lower engine life.

Is this correct?

Thanks!

Chris