You got it backwards.  Bentley says 5 ATDC, try as much as 5 BTDC.  5 BTDC
is the same distance to the left of the TDC as the notch is to the right.
Clear as mud.

Chuck Mathis <CMathis227@aol.com> on 05/07/2001 02:22:58 PM

Please respond to CMathis227@aol.com

To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:    (bcc: Jay L Snyder/AE/DuPont)
Subject:  Re: 1.9L timing help

Chad,
Bentley says 5 degrees BeforeTopDeadCenter and VW provided a convenient
v-notch in the pulley for this.  There is also a half round notch in the
middle lip for TopDeadCenter -- as you face the engine from the back it is
a little finger width to the right of the BTDC mark.  Some folks have
advocated going to 5 or 6 degrees AfterTopDeadCenter.  This would be about
a little finger width to the right of the TDC mark.  To do this you have to
monkey with the idle speed screw.  I tried this with my '85 automatic this
weekend and it didn't work out all that well.  The engine idled nicely but
died as soon as I slipped it in gear.  I changed the timing back to TDC
(readjusting the idle accordingly) and it is much more drivable.  Runs
smooth, power is good and the hesitation is almost gone.
I do need to add a caveat that I have a fairly rotten AFM and throttle
position switch.  The AFM is very clean and I've shifted the board as far
as it will go but when the multimeter should be reading a smooth
progression the needle is all over the dial.  I'll try retiming again when
I have the new AFM and TPS installed.
Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy -- 'Roland the Road Buffalo'
In a message dated Mon, 7 May 2001 12:04:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Chad
G <groch@worldchat.com> writes:
<< all this discussion about timing........I feel like my van could be
running
better (more power etc). I'm taking it to the mechanic today..........where
should I tell him to set timing at?
thanks,
Chad 85GL
 >>