In addition to what has been posted about the proper procedure, I have  found
the only way to correctly set the timing on my bus is to incorporate a  delay
in the timing check sequence. That is to say, turn the distributor a bit  in
the correct direction, then give everything a few seconds to catch up and
THEN see where the timing is using the timing light and appropriate  mark. Use
this finesse to coax the timing mark to line up. When everything  is lined up
"for good", then proceed  tighten the distributor.

Another way to say it is, in my experience, if you shine the timing light  on
the pulley and turn the distributor to a point where the timing marks line
up, in a few seconds a second check with the light will show your timing is
off.  It's more finesse than I ever had to exercise in any other car--although I
think  this is the first fuel injection vehicle I've owned. (Love them
carbyouretors.)  And really on the Vanagon everything takes more finesse than any
other car I've  owned.

I always attributed this to the fuel injection computer catching up as it
re-registers and reconfigures the information and adjusts accordingly to the new
 distributor position. I'm not pretending to understand the science or even
selling it as science-- Just creating facts in my head to explain why the sun
comes up in the morning like the Mayans. (or like mankind has done since the
beginning of time.)

I'm not sure if I'm being clear on this-but I think you get the idea. And
I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this or if it is business as  usual
and I missed that day in class so had to figure it out myself. Or maybe my  bus
is a unique collectors item and I should sell it on ebay and buy back the
family farm.

Best,
Jeff
83.5 Westfalia
LA,CA

In a message dated 2/13/2006 10:40:06 AM Pacific Standard Time,
clonestar7@YAHOO.COM writes:

I have  had no one give me any idea on how to set the timing on my 1984
vanagon 1.9L  on my first post ....anyone have advice?