1600DP
009 electronic ign ; New distributor, wires, cap, rotor, etc.....not new plugs.
34 PICT-3 Carb

Car seems to run fine for the most part. Upper RPM range I get inconsistent and random backfire through the carb. I think the 009 is timed slightly retarded. The big issue is when I shift into 4th. It looses power! I can actually get a faster top speed in 3rd. When I shift into 4th I loose speed. I do not gain RPM no matter how much I push the pedal. It seems completely bogged down. The motor does seem to be a bit under powered in general for being so light.
Today's example: Driving in 3rd and reaching 55 mph slowly. Shift into 4th and maintain 3/4 throttle. I start to slow down to the point I need to shift back into 3rd. I know the carb and distributor aren't the best match, but that is just off idle. The car has a top speed of 55-60 mph right now. Any thoughts? It almost seems I have shitty compression. I need to check that.

....but loosing power only in 4th is really baffling me!

How does the spark look when you pull the plug wires while it's running, is it a nice bright spark? sounds like a coil dying. 009's are the worst dizzy for any engine, I would look into 010 or even better a vac advanced one since your running a stock carb.

check the freeplay in the distributor, looking for movement in the shaft.
electronic it may not matter, not sure

Id check the fuel filter in the tank.

All good ideas!

Distributor is tight.

Coil could be replaced. It is a generic black jobber....I have a new blue Bosch on the bench. Easy swap.

I like E's idea of a partially clogged fuel sock in the tank.

It runs like a champ until the higher RPMs and 4th. Its not getting the fuel it needs at those levels. It should be an easy fix (if I didn't have a full tank!)

after cleaning the tank screen and what not for clean fuel delivery..

rebuild the carb cleaning it out.. checking the float and the needle/seat

also pull and clean all the galleys and jets.. as the air corrector and main may have a bit of
junk that doesn't allow fuel to be pulled out with the amount vaccum you are requesting
for the longer period of time at the lower RPM..

I'd check for exact timing on the motor and how it acts..

if you have a degreed pulley watch for how it moves up while advancing and watch for the timing marks to be steady -if the are jumpy then check the cap and rotor..

Also if you haven't run the valves.. do so..

Start and confirm all the basics.. once that is done..

and 4th causes a power loss -it may be resulting from drag in that gear and then a transmission look into may be in order..

I know I don't know shit about motors. Just wanted to make that clear. My 66 was doing the same thing and we, I mean Ryan found it was not running on all cylinders. One of the rocker arms was loose and causing my problems. Just a thought.

Nick,
Why do you say stuff like this??? You know that's not a true statement.

it's an absolutely a true statement.

here is just one of many http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... t=009+junk

If you want actual testimonial, just ask Doug. He went from a 009 to a 010 and loves it.

The good ol' 009 debate! I'm running a 009 on my motor and it runs fine. It may not be optimal, but it's decent.