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1800vw Ing. Timing

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Parts Book
Photos & #

11/05/02*

Spark Plug Location on all VW's
Right Front #1, Right Rear #2,
Left Front #3, Left Rear #4

While pressing in on the generator belt, The motor can be rotated with 13/16" socket. (# 1)

Rotate the motor clockwise from this view.

The first timing mark that come up (# 3) will be Before Top Dead Center.

Then the T.D.C. mark (# 4) will come up next. ( to the left of timing marks ) Not all pulleys have the T.D.C. mark.
*Click <--here for Pulley markings.

---( 27 degrees is about 1 5/8" to the right of the TDC mark and 31 degrees is about 1 7/8" to the right of the TDC mark on the stock 7" dia pulley ) --- But this is not the way to get these figures and all VW pulleys are not the same. degree pulley

Now would be a good time to get a degree pulley or one that has been marked with TDC, BDC, or at least 27' & 31' if using the Bosch 009 distributor.

Now with the T.D.C. mark (# 4) lined up with the center-line of case (# 2), and with the rotor (bug) pointing behind the right rear wheel

T-3 distributor shaft (with gear on the end) will go in one tooth short of where the type 1 (Bug) goes. This is so the vacuum unit will clear the fan housing. And the bug (rotor) will be pointing towards the front left wheel or 180' from where the T1 rotor points. Note: If you are using the 009 distributor the Distributor drive shaft can be installed just like the Bug since the the vacuum pod is not there. Some T-3 drives have a flat above gear to prevent this. See #25 also see Q&A

( as shown in the photo ) and lined up with the (# 5) & (# 9) mark on the top edge of the distributor body, your engine will be on Top dead center, On compression, On number one cylinder. ( Number one cylinder is the front right ) This is also the starting point when setting the valves.

Inspect the point contacts (# 8) ( they should be smooth and shiny ) Points that have a crater on one side and a tit built up on the other side indicate the condenser should be changed. Don't waste you money on a new condenser if both sides are burnt the same.

Always make sure the points are clean ( wipe new points clean after setting gap to .016" )
Never spread the points more the 1/8" or the spring may be damaged.
Apply a small amount of high temperature point lube to the point cam and a drop of oil to the felt under the rotor.

A test lamp or continuity tester will be needed if you time the stock distributor statically. Remember that the ignition fires when the points open, not when they close.

When using a timing light you must pull the vacuum line from the distributor and plug the line.

Before starting the engine slightly loosen the distributor clamp with a 10mm socket.

With the timing light pick-up, connected to the number one plug wire ( front right side ) start the engine and aim the timing light at the case parting line (# 2) and rotate the distributor body until the correct timing mark lines up with the case parting line.

Stop the engine and tighten the distributor clamp nut. ( Not to tight or the clamp will warp, lifting the distributor up.) Always check this clamp to insure it is perfectly flat.

Start the motor and recheck the timing just to make sure it did not move when the clamp was snugged down.

When using the stock distributor, make sure you are using the correct crank pulley for your distributor and the correct timing marks. Never assume the distributor and crank pulley are a matched set. degree pulley

If your stock distributor is getting old an worn, or if the vacuum advance is not working up to par we recommend replacing it with the Bosch 009 distributor. Electronic Ing. kit

If you have replaced your points with one of the electronic module kits then you have set the timing for the last time. Only when the quality of our gas changes drastically will you need to re-time your motor.
Let's hope that's not in the near future. More on timing-->*Click --- Part numbers for Bosch Distributors, Points, Caps etc.->*Click --- Electronic Ing Kit -> Order
Bosch 009 distributor order --- Bosh Chrome Dist order

* CLICK HERE * <-for E-Mail Questions with Answers on "Rotor pointed wrong direction"

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Victor Comp. Products Inc. **--Vic's--** Phone 816-650-3535 • 230 S Hudson St., Buckner, Missouri, 64016, US