Andrew,

If you have a stock pulley, and I am sure you do.  There are two marks on
the pulley.

The shallow U groove is top dead center

The V-notch is 5 degrees AFTER top dead center.

If you don't have a timing light with an advance dial on the back, just mark
a v-notch other side the

shallow U-groove, so that you now have a second notch equal distant from the
Top Dead Center mark.

Like this:     V----U----V

The V on the left is the old 5 degrees after dead center

The v on the right is your new 5 degrees Before top dead center mark.

You can notch  the pulley with a dremel or a file.

Now set your timing to the new notch and you're done.......5 degrees BTDC,
which is close enough to 6.

You will love the improved bottom end performance, the van drives like a
different engine is in there.

You will still have problems with steep grades, due to thhe anemic HP and
torque, but it will be more drivable.

Malibu Tony   85' Westy   1.9L........6 degrees BTDC

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew G. Martin [mailto:agmartin@gis.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 10:10 PM
To: Smola, Tony
Subject: RE: I am looking for the South African lower wrap-around grill

I can't help you with your grill quest however I have a question about your
signature....Have you set you Vanagon engine timing to 6 degrees BTDC?  If
so, is this the VW spec or a personal preference?

I also have an 85 Westy and I have set my timing using the notch in the
pulley and the center of the engine case.  There is no scale on my engine to
indicate degrees.

Thanks,
Andrew

Andrew G. Martin
18 Perkins Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
tel. and fax 978-283-0724
agmartin@gis.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Smola, Tony
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 6:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: I am looking for the South African lower wrap-around grill

I was just checking out the Volkwagen of South Africa website and saw a real
cool looking lower grill and other items.

Check out this url:  http://www.vw.co.za/flash.php

Malibu Tony      85' Westy.......1.9L     6 degrees BTDC