Hi There!! :-)

First off, I would like to thank each and everyone of you who so kindly
took the time out you your day to write to me with your advice and know
how knowledge--I REALLY APPRECIATE it!! :-)

Update on my progress with putting the distributor back in and timing my
1985 1.9 Vanagon---I did all the things everyone told me to do and got
the van up and running. :-)  The drive shaft that connects the cam shaft
to the distributor did indeed move!!  It did almost a 180!!!

After it ran for about a minute or so, the distributor popped out about
1/4" again and the Vanagon died!  I went back and looked---I was able to
spin the rotor by hand again!!

Could it possibly be that it's a bad clamp??  It's torqued all the way,
but I noticed there is a small gap in the clamp near the distributor
shaft.  The nut and bolt assembly seem to be bent a bit in an arch.  I
don't want to mess with it until I get your opinions on it--I don't want
to do any damage to Roxanne (the poor thing needed a name)...Don't turn
on the 'Red Light' is my prayer each time I get in to drive it!!  I
don't want to take this on the road to cause any further injury to her
or my sanity!! :-)  She really likes the tow trucks--she's a spoiled
brat!!!!!! :-)

By the way, if it's not the clamp what else could possibly be causing
the distributor to pop out?

Thanks Again for all your help, and I look forward to all your
suggestions, comment and help!!  I have tomorrow off so I can spend all
day putting to work all your suggestions!!!

Kevin From Coal Country, PA
sevenkevin@webtv.net