----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Paul Borghese 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Friday, April 13, 2001 7:24 AM
  Subject: Help with Timing of Vanagon

  To set timing, do this:

  1.    unplug idle stabilizer connectors from idle stabilzer, and plug the connectors into each other;
  2.    use plug wire number one to drive your timing light; (passenger side, closest to headlight end of van)
  3.    timing is set when mark on pulley lines up with the line where the two case halves join - that is the other mark you use;
  4.    performance is often better when pulley mark is a bit to left of case mark.
  5.    When timing is set properly, reconnect idle stablizer connectors to idle stabilizer

  Hope this helps,

  Marshall Ruskin
  84 Westy

  I have a 1.9 L 1985 Vanagon Engine type DH.  I believe the Bentley shows timing should be 5 ATDC.  But this causes a few problems. 

  First the pulley does not have any timing marks that show 5 ATDC.  Only a single mark to show TDC.  I did notice the pulley does have some partial holes in the back of the pulley that might represent something.  I believe this is for a special electronic tool used by the VW dealers.

  Second, the engine runs really bad at 5 ATDC.  It seems to run best if the timing is BTDC.  In fact, the more I move the timing BTDC (Rotate distributor counterclockwise) the better the engine runs.  Eventually the distributor hits a side and can not rotate any further.  Also when I reconnect the Idle Stabilizer, I noticed the timing jumps all over the place.

  So, what am I doing wrong?  Any ideas?

  Take care,

  Paul

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