Walter,

The 5 degrees ATDC is the factory setting for the 1.9L.  Why?  Beats the heck
out of me.  By advancing the timing 10 degrees you end up with 5 degrees
BTDC.  The idle speed is a little high (900-950 versus 850-900) but you've
got a whole lot more low end scoot.  Gas mileage may improve a touch and
emissions aren't effected dramatically.

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy - 'Roland the Road Bufalo'

In a message dated 2/9/02 11:09:23 PM, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

<< Date:    Sat, 9 Feb 2002 19:46:07 -0800
From:    Walter Evens <wrevens@MYEXCEL.COM>
Subject: Re: '85, 1.9 timing questions (cont)

Someone mentioned in a post earlier this week about advancing the timing =
5 degrees as a way of getting a little more OOMPH out of a Water Boxer.  =
It's been some time since I've used timing adjustments as a way of =
gaining power (way back in my younger days with Chevy V-8s).

I'm new to VWs and the list so I hope this doesn't sound too stupid.  If =
my timing is 5 degrees AFTER TDC, would the advancement be to 10 degrees =
AFTER or TDC?

I have never in my life heard of an engine firing ATDC.  Why would they =
do that?

Thanks for your input.  I was almost going to get rid of my Vanagon with =
the blown engine (my wife was playing with the tape deck and dropped it =
from second into first at 45 MPH coming up a steep grade) right after I =
got it back on the road.  Then instead of having that engine rebuilt, I =
let her talk me into buying another one for $800.  Only this one runs. =20

Now that I know I have a support group and many gigabytes of info in the =
Archives, I may just exchange all my vehicles for Vanagons.  Let's see, =
keep a GL for the family, buy a Westy for the weekends and a Transporter =
to replace my Jap pick up.  One manual covers them all!

Walter Evens
Hesperia, CA, USA
2-85GLs >>