Yes you can, if your distributor is installed correctly (distributor
drive at proper angle). It's no more complicated than this:

When your engine's #1 piston is at Top Dead Center on the Compression
stroke, your ignition rotor needs to be pointing to cyl #1 on the
distributor cap. At this position, your fan pulley notch should align
with the parting seam on the engine case. This is your static timing.

If this is the case, you then only need to rotate the distributor and
use a timing light to establish dynamic timing. For 1981 California
vans, it's 4 - 6 deg. ATDC with vac lines disconnected and idle
stabilizer bypassed.

Dan

Matthew Libby & Denise DeWolfe wrote:

> Can i time my 81 statically?
>
> Matt