Type 4 distributor drive excess end play

Popped the drive pinion with the spacer washer & the dissy in to check the pinion end play. I seem to have excessive play. Tom Wilson recons on 20-50thou. I have nearly double that. The washer has a small amount of wear but measures 1.2mm thick. The pinion looks ok. The pinion bore in the casing shows no sign of wear so i am a bit puzzled.
Were some cases made with the pinion bore slightly lower or thinner?
I should be able to get it something like in spec by using another spacing shim. Is this ok on a type 4?

 

I will measure my washer but think it’s thicker

 

It should only need one thrust washer but as long as you have at least .020” end float two washers won’t do any harm.

 

Just read a thread on the Samba that type 1 shims are a different diameter to type 4 & don’t fit. Would like to source a new type 4 shim but it appears they are like rocking horse s**t.

 

It’s part number 021 105 235 and hard to find, NLA from VW. New ones are 1.35mm thick, I’ve just measured a used one at 1.32mm so not much thicker than the one you have.

 

Mine is 1.28mm

 

Result Jim @Stateside has them. He had some made.

 

Could you post a pic of the one from Stateside; I’m interested to see how it compares to an original.

 

Will do when It arrives

 

Expensive washer 11 quid with postage

 

It looks right; is it between 1.30mm and 1.35mm thick?

 

looks complete gash to me ...not been ground and there are burrs

 

Will measure it l8r. Looks like it needs a bit of tidying but seeing as they are NLA beggars can’t be choosers.

 

For comparison here’s a couple of used washers; one is 1.32mm thick and the other 1.295mm.

 

Measures up at 1.3mm. With both shims on i have got about 24tho of end play.

 

Something else is wrong somewhere

 

Aha on closer inspection i can see the case has been machined or worn on the boss. Hence why I need more shimming.