Hi, I've got a problem with high HC resulting in failed SMOG on my 83.5
1.9L.  I've been trying to solve this with the help of the vanagon
people on this list.

What I've done to track the problem.
compression test:
  1=120; 2=140; 3=125; 4=130

timing
  well, bought a strobe light and I feel like a galactic gun-slinger.  Though, I do have a question.  it seems to be 5 degrees before (to the left) of the top dead center, not to right.  Bentley says ATDC.  Is the driver's side considered after TDC?

Plugs
1 and 2 look a little sooty
Picture is here:
http://communitybuilders.info/~craigoda/vanagon/sept/

plug wires
I took the wires off the distributor cap one by one with the engine running.  cylinder 1,2,3 didn't make too much of a difference when the wire was disconnected.  cylinder 4 made a big difference.

Inspected the AFM rubber boot..  covered with a thin coat of black oil.  Yikes!  Where is the oil coming from?

Any suggestions?

I've got used spare parts that I can swap out:
  - I've got a new cylinder head that I can swap out with one of the heads.  If the compression is good, does this mean that the valves are also seating well?  Or, the compression test doesn't measure valve seating?
  - I've got four used fuel injectors from another van that I can swap out and test if I need to
  - I've ordered new plug wires, rotor and cap

I of course don't want to take my cylinder heads off if I can avoid it.

The black oil near the AFM is a real flag raiser.  Any ideas as to next steps?

Regards,
Craig