I agree, something is definitely wrong with this van.  It may be the
loose nut behind the wheel?  :)

The reason I'd want to cut those studs is it would allow me over 90
degrees of distributor travel which would make diagnostics easier.
The alternative, which i've been doing, is to remove the distributor
then remove the distributor drive gear again.  I'm a little reluctant
to keep doing with my custom-built-distributor drive gear removal
tool (i.e. a philips head screwdriver jammed in and wiggled) is not
the most elegant method.

But it's mainly curiosity : why did VW put these two studs there,
what are they for, why are they so friggin' long, etc.  They really
get in the way and I can't see what purpose they serve.

On Nov 7, 2005, at 8:13 AM, John Lauterbach wrote:

> Mike, I think that you have something wrong if you cannot get time
> w/o cutting bolts.
>
> John
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Diehr" <md03@XOCHI.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 10:53 AM
> Subject: What are the 2 studs that block the distributor?
>
>
>
>> On my 1.9l engine (automatic, air conditioning), there are two studs
>> to the right of the distributor that hold a plate onto the block.
>> The plate is about credit-card sized, but not square.      These
>> studs are each 2 inches long, and to my eye they would work just fine
>> if they were 1/2 inch long.   Being so long, they block my
>> distributor from rotating in a full arc.    Is there any reason not
>> to cut them shorter with a hack saw?
>>
>
>