I just replaced my timing belts and I have no power above 3K rpms. I will be checking for a vacuum leak. I used Bosch platinum plugs with 2 prongs and a .044 gap. Could this cause the problem? When I timed it I set it to 8 degrees and it is a bit jumpy. I averaged it at 8. Could the distributor need replacing? This car has about 260K miles on it. I know the carb secondary opens but it doesn't get any extra power.

Would double check that the timing sprockets are correctly aligned, dump the Bosch plugs for NGK. Did you disable the vacuum advance when you did the timing?

 

 

I just replaced my timing belts and I have no power above 3K rpms. I will be checking for a vacuum leak. I used Bosch platinum plugs with 2 prongs and a .044 gap. Could this cause the problem? When I timed it I set it to 8 degrees and it is a bit jumpy. I averaged it at 8. Could the distributor need replacing? This car has about 260K miles on it. I know the carb secondary opens but it doesn't get any extra power.

Yes vacuum was plugged. When I did the belts, I turned the engine over for 10 seconds and rechecked. I think the timing is ok. I will change the plugs. Thanks for the response

If the timing was bouncing around, then it most likely is the bushings in the distributor. Get it rebuilt, or replace it.

Where can I get a good used one or a rebuilt? My local auto parts has them for around $150. Is this a ok price?

http://www.philbingroup.com/rebuilt/distributors.htm

 

Those guys will rebuild yours for a good price. You also live in Washington, land of Subarus. Pick one out from a junkyard as a temporary replacement, then send your old one in to get rebuilt.

$150 is a price for a newly rebuilt one...I bought mine at advance auto (partsamerica.com) ...first check to see if you get any difference by changeing out your spark plugs to what it calls for ...

Where can I get a good used one or a rebuilt? My local auto parts has them for around $150. Is this a ok price?

i found one on ebay for $100. For this price I am thinking I should just buy it. The seller has great ratings. I need to change the plugs too.

just be aware that some sellers do not include the ignitor within the distributor, this item needs to be included

i found one on ebay for $100. For this price I am thinking I should just buy it. The seller has great ratings. I need to change the plugs too.

Question: Did it have poor power before the timing belts were changed?

 

If not, what did you do during the timing belt change that could've broken the distributor? Your disy probably needs replacing, but if it ran fine before, its probably not what's causing loss of power.

 

Double check those timing belts. Its very easy to get them off a tooth and not notice.

it lacked power before. I need to replace the distributor and spark plugs. Eliminate some of the vacuum lines and make sure no leaks. It runs ok, just not nice when a volkswagen diesel rabbit can out run me. lol

I have both the vw diesel rabbit and 4X4 Carbed model and the N/A diesel has always been able to "wip" the subi from day one... can't expect to much from a carb...a reason to convert to FI

it lacked power before. I need to replace the distributor and spark plugs. Eliminate some of the vacuum lines and make sure no leaks. It runs ok, just not nice when a volkswagen diesel rabbit can out run me. lol

Replacing the distributor bearing is really easy and inexpensive. Just buy a high quality bearing - number 6200 - for 5 or 10 bucks. I got one from NAPA, plus they sell them on ebay.

 

Here's a great thread on how to do it with a complete rundown and picture from Rallyruss:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54746&highlight=distributor+bearing

 

This job is much easier than it looks, takes maybe a half hour.

I re-did my distributor by ordering from partsamerica.com two different sizes of the "bushing/bearing" for the lower part of the shaft (one size is standard and the other size is slightly smaller in diameter to make up for the shaft wear)...the top "roller/ bearing" of the distributor is the same size as used when replaceing the "pilot bearing" when re-doing your clutch..in otherwords, the clutch pilot bearing and distr. bearing are interchangable..total cost about $10..real smooth and tight now

I have both the vw diesel rabbit and 4X4 Carbed model and the N/A diesel has always been able to "wip" the subi from day one... can't expect to much from a carb...a reason to convert to FI

I would like to put my carbed( Holley 5200) 86 4x4 wagon with a 90 engine in it against your VW. The way I have my car set up you would think its a turbo. I run only three vacuum lines and no cat or egr and I can catch 3rd gear with a chirp,1st and second i can burn my tires off.(front wheels only) I have allso taken it up to 7000 rpms in 1st 2cnd and 3rd gears with no complaints from the engine. I love this car!

Thanks for the answer. I will look through partsamerica and see what I can find. So I look for a clutch pilot bearing and a distributor bushing?

I need to correct myself here..the lower bushing/bearing #s are "DP105 and DP106 NAPA/ECHLIN (I don't know which one is smaller) and of course the pilot bearing...I would suggest that you first check the distri while it is in the car for "shaft wobble" by placing a feeler gauge between the reluctor and the pick-up nose..try to move the shaft sideways in one direction and then in the opposite direction and find out what the total movement is...anything more then 2 thou. is out of spec ...

Thanks for the answer. I will look through partsamerica and see what I can find. So I look for a clutch pilot bearing and a distributor bushing?

That's no fair...yours is not a stock set-up...but if you want, I could go slap a turbo on my diesel(originally designed for one) and then we could have a go at it..DOWN-HILL only of course..just kidding...although I am interested to know what "jets" you are useing in that holley???

I would like to put my carbed( Holley 5200) 86 4x4 wagon with a 90 engine in it against your VW. The way I have my car set up you would think its a turbo. I run only three vacuum lines and no cat or egr and I can catch 3rd gear with a chirp,1st and second i can burn my tires off.(front wheels only) I have allso taken it up to 7000 rpms in 1st 2cnd and 3rd gears with no complaints from the engine. I love this car!

That's no fair...yours is not a stock set-up...but if you want, I could go slap a turbo on my diesel(originally designed for one) and then we could have a go at it..DOWN-HILL only of course..just kidding...although I am interested to know what "jets" you are useing in that holley???

Yea I was just ribbing you to:lol: I realy don't know what jets it has I picked it up on Ebay for $100 shipped. I think it would have about the same as the weber 32/36. It was made for a 4 cylinder vega or pinto. I can' wait to get a real weber though.