I wrote to Rob and asked him for some advice and this is what he said.

Hi Rob I have a question I am hoping you can help with, I have an original Solex 30 Pict-1 carb which is new, I sent it off to have it checked and any parts replaced as needed to suit my 1200, I really would like to use this carb with my 1200 but not sure what Distributor I should use? can you advise me please. Also would you use an electronic dizzy or points with this carb.


Many thanks and look forward to your reply


The 30PICT/1 has a strong vacuum signal and should work OK with any vacuum VW/Bosch distributor.  The catch is that it was designed to work with the vacuum-only distributors like this list




Distributor: VW 113-905-205A, Bosch ZV/PAU 4R2, 4R5 (0231 139 002) > 113-905-205B, 0231 139 006 > 311-905-205, ZV/PAU 4R4, 4R6 (0231 139 005) > 315-905-205B, 0231 137 031
Can Use: VW 111-905-205L or M, Bosch 0231 147 002 or 111-905-205N, 0231 137 005
Points: 01 006
Condensor: 02 006
Rotor: 04 010
Cap: 03 037
Coil: 00 001 (Blue Coil: 00 016)
Vacuum Can: 07 015 (NLA)
Ignition Wires: 09 001
Spark Plug: W8AC
Timing Set At:: 10deg BTDC Static or @ 800-950rpm w/strobe w/vacuum hose disconnected and plugged
Advance/Retard Range: Vacuum Advance Only: 10deg @ 1.3 In. Hg, 15-21deg @ 2.8 In. Hg




Distributor: VW 111-905-205L or M, Bosch ZV/JU4R3 (0231 147 002) > 111-905-205N or 113-905-205J, (Both VW Numbers are: Bosch 0231 137 005)
Can Use: VW 113-905-205A, Bosch ZV/PAU 4R2, 4R5 (0231 139 002), 113-905-205B, 0231 139 006, 311-905-205, ZV/PAU 4R4, 4R6 (0231 139 005) > 315-905-205B, 0231 137 031
Points: 01 009
Condensor: 02 007
Rotor: 04 006
Cap: 03 001
Coil: 00 001 (Blue Coil: 00 016)
Vacuum Can: 07 016 (NLA)
Ignition Wires: 09 001
Spark Plug: W8AC
Timing Set At:: 10deg BTDC Static or @ 800-950rpm w/strobe w/vacuum hose disconnected and plugged
Advance/Retard Range: Vacuum Advance Only: 5-11deg @ 1.3 In. Hg, 23-28deg @ 3.5 In. Hg


And all the above distributors have a 3 degree retard on No3 cam lobe to take a little load off No3 cylinder, because the left cylinders get pre-warmed air for their cooling and No3 has the cooling worst air path .

The Single vac double advance distributor used from 1971 onwards (1974 in the USA) have even firing so No3 cylinder is at slightly more risk of overheating unless the engine has been fitted with a doghouse fan and fan shroud. These include the VW 043-905-205, VW 113-905-205AL, and the Mexican VW 043-905-205ZB

You can use points-replacement modules with almost any carb so long as it will fit inside the distributor and the car won't care.  But the hall effect plate which triggers the spark will be even firing too, so if you do get an old "correct" distributor, it's probably better to use a points-fired electronic ignition system, so you still get the 3 degree retard for No3 cylinder.  I used a points fired home built kit CDI many years ago which worked very well until the electronics in it finally let go (and by then no parts were available :-/  )

Same story goes for the 009 non-vacuum distributor - it has even firing too, and of course it has the additional problems of not starting it's advance until about 1200rpm (acceleration stumbles), and not being able to give as much total advance. It must be set at 30-32 degrees at 3000+ rpm and let the idle fall where it may - usually between 5 and 10BTDC).  Once you know what that idle setting is, you can use THAT 009 on THAT engine and just set THAT static setting.  The 30-32 max degrees is the fall-back or safety position which means the engine wont (or shouldn't) detonate/ping under heavy acceleration at low rpms.  The vacuum distributors can make more total advance - up to around 40 degrees for better economy and smoother acceleration, but will back off to around 30 degrees when the vacuum signal tells it to.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Rob
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