My van died the other day.  ('85 Westfalia with 1.9 WBX)
Every thing was running fine (we just drove 2000 km. without a problem) when the van died.
When I tried to retart the motor it sounded as if the timing was wrong.  On investigation I found I was able to turn the rotor without turning the motor. 
I was near a Vanagon freindly shop so I had the van towed there.
The distributor is fine and the gear that drives the distributor looks good (the drive gear was hard to pull out of the block).
The mechanic tried to reinstall the drive gear but it does not seat properly, it will turn when the motor is cranked but it pushes up and bangs on the bottom of the distributor.
Is it safe to assume that the brass gear on the end of the crank is damaged?
Has anyone one on the list had any dealings with Auto Folks in Langley BC.  ( I will check Larry's list)
George 
'85 Westfalia