Quite a few of us over here have things muddled up.  The factory standard
setting for the American market 1.9L Digijets is 5 degrees ATDC.  They run
okay but very weak.  At 5 degrees BTDC they pick up a lot of power especially
in the low end.  I've been running mine this way for a little more than a
year and haven't experienced any pinging (running regular unleaded 87 gas) or
increased temp.  Interestingly enough the car also passed the emissions test.

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

In a message dated 9/10/02 8:20:03 PM, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

>Date:    Tue, 10 Sep 2002 23:42:28 +0100
>From:    Clive Smith <clive.harman-smith@NTLWORLD.COM>
>Subject: Re: missing wire at distributor? and timing question
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Jay L Snyder" <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 8:02 PM
>
>> I highly recommend more advance for your 1.9.  I am running 5
>BTDC.  This is 10 degrees advanced from stock.
>
>Jay, I think somewhere you've got something muddled up.
>I've never known a manufacturer's optimum timing setting ever be that much
>out - just can't believe this statement. 10 degrees is an enormous amount,
>especially when you're ADVANCING beyond their standard setting. 2.1 Digijets
>for instance over here are run 4 - 5 degrees retarded for plonk green fuel,
>the standrad Euro DJ engine running a 10.5:1 CR and hence requiring 98
>Octane.
>
>Clive
>'88 Syncro Transporter