Mk1 GTi DX Distributor Shaft Seal

Bought a distributor shaft seal from Classic-VW, but it looks too big when fitted and when I'm trying to insert the distributor into the block, it is impossible to get it in.  When I remove the o-ring, it fits perfectly.




Just wondering if this is the wrong size, as the website lists this as 026 905 261, but when I check the online parts catalogue, it says 056 905 261 (which is the one Heritage list).




https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/golf/go/1983-7/9/905-203000/#12




I know it should be reasonably tight to ensure a good seal, but surely it shouldn't be so tight it tears the seal on the way in (which it has done!!)




Anybody experienced this?




​Cheers, Peter

Yes I found the same problem when I changed over my dissy, I found there is 2 types of seals, the big rubber O ring style which fits later cars as there's a cut out in the dissy shaft and I found my dissy had 2 little lumps which would make the seal sit up and unless you greased it, it would not go in.

 did try just the rubber o-ring but it leaked oil when driving so fitted a new paper gasket as the leak has stopped, just make sure you clean up the metal faces before fitting the gasket.

I still have the O-ring fitted as well….

I'll try and find the paper gasket…..


Think I've found it… Part number 056905261 Is this the one you ordered?

https://www.vwheritage.com/056905261-distributor-shaft-seal-vw-spare


 

Found an old thread with part numbers….

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=helllllpppp%2Fengine-oil-leak

Fitted mine yesterday - didn't even know there was an o-ring. Mine has always just had a paper gasket. Won't know if it leaks for a while yet mind!
I've a load of o-rings of various sizes left in my gasket set. I'm working on the assumption that it is built to fit multiple models, and I've not made a grave error somewhere along the way. Will see if there is one to fit the dizzy.

All I will tell you is that you should coat the o-ring with Never-Seize as it prevents it from "gooing or Glueing" itself to the metal I have  never seen a paper gasket on the base of any of my 89-90's Cabbies.

On all my 90's that I have had to time on first new to me. I have had the issue where the o-ring is gooed and prevents the Dizzy from turning.  

Which involved me in soaking the base in a Deep Creep oil and smacking the base of it to get it to turn.

As my 2h's didn't have a paper gasket under them I wonder if that aids to prevent the condition… All I know is that after getting them loose and applying a tad of Never-seize to the o-ring I haven't had any issue in leaks or moving the Diz on setting the timing.

Cheers for the info gents, makes a lot more sense now. It was always slightly weeping around this area before I stripped car so I assumed it was because the o-ring was missing when I took dizzy out. Now it's more likely that it never had an o-ring at all and the original gasket had perished. I'll get the correct gasket and hopefully that's that sorted.

Have to say, the help on this forum is superb, thanks again.

Always happy to help, let us know how it goes…