Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 20:50:26 -0700
Reply-To: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Timing tips for Idiots
In-Reply-To: <F6D2D144-2F01-45DC-8529-7BC65C64C056@elpasotel.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
David -
Based on your initial description of the belt screen, this sounds like an
air cooled Vanagon, but you don't indicate the year or if it is a California
model (Hall/Electronic Ignition) or a Federal 49 state model (Points
distributor), so here's an answer for both:
Both models: There is a mark (or marks) on the pulley - always was, always
will be, unless they've been ground off or you're using a pulley from a
411/412 Sedan Wagon, 'cause they don't have pulley marks (my 72 "Pug" 411
doesn't).
On Calif models, this indicates 5 degrees AFTER TDC. On Federal models,
this indicates 7.5 degrees BEFORE TDC.
Mounted with the screen should be a timing scale in either metal (original)
or black plastic (replacement). In the case of an engine fire and assuming
it was plastic, it may have melted itself away. Get one from Bus Depot:
(Plastic)
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=021119249E
(Metal)
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=021119249EA
Depending on where the mark is on the pulley, measure about a 1/4 inch from
the mark left or right to where the TDC mark SHOULD approximately be.
Timing marks are usually a cut "v", TDC marks are generally a a slight
roundish depression on the pulley edge nearby the "v" cut.
Alternatively, remove the #1 spark plug and place a pencil in the hole to
feel the piston coming up and going down AFTER the #1 intake valve closes to
determine EXACT TDC.
Once you've found it, place a paint mark on the pulley to tell you where TDC
is. Then find the correct timing mark and put a paint mark there too. I
find that White is always best. Tip: I use "White-Out" for paper
corrections - cheep, efficient and it just works.
When timing the engine while running (at idle), you match the "v" cut to the
degree numbers on the scale. See my website for timing specs depending on
the model yer running.
--
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
***********************************
On 4/26/07, David Johnson <davidj@elpasotel.net> wrote:
>
> Ok - the back story - big engine fire, top part of engine toast, got
> parts from another list member, now working on reassembly.
>
> Ok, so that is out of the way. Now, I have to assume that the vacuum
> advance on the distributor is toasted, and quite possibly the plate
> itself might be warped a little from the fire. So I am going to
> replace the distributor. Now, I have read the John Muir book, and
> the Bentley, and both are surprisingly little help. Bentley simply
> said get the engine to TDC and then put the distributor in, as if any
> vaguely trained monkey could find TDC. Muir offers a little more
> help, but does not seem to translate too well to a Vanagon.
>
> So - any tips here? I don't sen a timing scale anywhere, and have
> yet to find any sort of timing notch, although I suspect one might be
> on the pulley I can sorta see through the dome-shaped grill that
> protects the v-belt. Also, I don't see where I am supposed to be
> able to slip a wrench on and crank the engine around by hand
> either. Any help on this would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> David.
>
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