Volkswagen Distributor Versions

Whew, to say Volkswagen frequently changed distributors would be an understatement! The purpose of this month's tech tip is to provide a BASIC understanding of the different distributors that VW used and to identify the proper tune-up components (contact breaker points, cap, rotor and condenser) required. We emphasize basic due to the many variations that can exist. For example, VW equipped vehicles with distributors with regards to a particular county's exhaust emission law as well as for regions with harsh environmental climates. Fortunately, these variations are generally peculiar to timing advance specifications, and do not affect the tune-up components used. Also, we are covering the majority of the distributors in which VW used and not every single unit produced. The units not covered are units that were used in limited production. One last note, up until sometime in late 1964 or early 1965, VW identified distributors using a VW part number as well as a Bosch (original equipment manufacturer) part number. The VW part number, for various reasons, is very confusing and will not be referenced when identifying early distributors. Therefore, in regards to the pre-1965 distributors we are only quoting the Bosch number, which is inscribed onto a tag secured to the side of the distributor.


Bosch part number VE 4 BRS 383 (commonly referred to as the “383” distributor) Used on 25hp Beetle and Bus engines. This distributor has a centrifugal advance only. Contact Breaker Points 111-998-051 Condenser 111-905-295 Cap 111-905-207 Rotor 111-905-225A Breaker Plate 111-905-227

Bosch part number VJU 4 BR8/1 or VJUR 4 BR8/1 Used on 36hp Beetle engines. This distributor features vacuum and centrifugal advance properties. Contact Breaker Points 111-998-053 Condenser 111-905-295 Cap 111-905-207B Rotor 111-905-225C

Bosch part number VJR4 BR8 or VJR 4 BR 25 also 0 231 129 019 Used on 36hp Bus engines. This distributor has a centrifugal advance only. Contact Breaker Points 111-998-051 Condenser 111-905-295 Cap 111-905-207B Rotor 111-905-225C

Bosch part number ZV/PAU 4R1 through ZV/PAU 4R6 Used on 40hp Beetle engines and Bus models, we well as Bus models equipped with the 1500cc option. This distributor is vacuum advance only. Contact Breaker Points 111-998-057 Condenser 113-905-295 Cap 113-905-207 Rotor 113-905-225

VW part number 111-905-205-L, N, M or 131-905-205 Used on Feb’64–1967 Beetle and Bus. This distributor is vacuum advance only. Contact Breaker Points 111-998-059 Condenser 111-905-295A Cap 111-905-207C Rotor 111-905-225F

VW part number 113-905-205M
1968-1970 Bug and Bus (except for vehicles equipped with automatic stick shift option). This distributor looks identical to the 111-905-205-L listed above with the exception that the contact breaker points now are a 1-piece unit instead of the 2-piece units previously used. Removing the contact breaker points can easily identify this distributor. This distributor is vacuum advance only.
Contact Breaker Points 111-998-063
Condenser 111-905-295A
Cap 111-905-207C
Rotor 111-905-225F

VW part number 113-905-205-T and later
1971 and later Beetle and Bus, 1968-1970 Beetle and Bus equipped with automatic stick shift option. This distributor features vacuum and centrifugal advance properties. Almost all of the later engines use some form of this distributor, with some variations pertaining to the timing advance. Generally, this distributor is equipped with a dual acting advance/retard device, although sometimes you will find it with the smaller “advance only” unit. The tune-up components however are the same in either case.
Contact Breaker Points 311-998-063
Condenser 311-905-295C
Cap 113-905-207C
Rotor 043-905-225