You might try the total timing method Michael.

Set the timing with an advance timing light to the total required advance at
2500-3000 RPM and treat the resultant advance at idle as an artifact.

I've used this method on many modified engines over the years to good
effect.

Jake

On 1/20/07, Michael Diehr <md03@xochi.com> wrote:
>
> The rebuild & install was done by a shop (who I won't name but I hear
> is of extremely dubious reputation I'm told -- I was aware of that
> going in but a move forced my hand) and I have no idea what they did
> or did not do when installing the 2.1 into my 85.    I believe that
> when I got the rebuild home, I measured the timing at idle as per
> bently (DIS disconnected etc.) and it was spot on.   However, that
> was 4000 miles ago.
>
> Anyone on the list have an opinion as to how much total time pinging
> it would take to fry my engine?   1 second?  10 seconds?  10
> minutes?     Should I just assume the engine is toast, find a new
> mechanic, drop the van off, and fly home?   :-)  Anyone know when the
> Zetec conversion will be CARB approved?
>
> On Jan 20, 2007, at 11:10 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>
> > Did you convert to the cooling system with the oil cooler to also
> > cool the
> > pistons? Detonation is extremely speed and load over time
> > sensitive. The 1.9
> > FI system should not be a problem, both use the same injectors. Is the
> > timing set to spec or slightly advanced? Get it set back down. Make
> > sure the
> > vacuum retard on the distributor is working to reduce the timing
> > during part
> > load to reduce the peak flame temperatures. Pinging actually occurs
> > long
> > before you hear it. While pinging, you working at busting rings,
> > melting
> > pistons, and burning valves or even cracking heads. This is where
> > EGR could
> > be helpful but the Vanagon does not have it.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> > Behalf Of
> > Michael Diehr
> > Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 1:02 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Ping/Knock/Detonation
> >
> > I'm finishing up a long (3K miles) road trip and the van has been
> > running like a champ (for the first time ever, wahoo!).   However,
> > I've noticed a problem with pinging (aka knock aka detonation).
> > It's very particular -- it only happens at 1/2 throttle or higher at
> > 3200 thru 3500 rpm, even on 91 or 92 octane gas.   Happens most of
> > the time -- only exception seems to be at temperatures of 30F and
> > lower at 3000F altitude or higher, which seems very consistent with
> > it being ping (heat & pressure related).
> >
> > As far as I know, the timing of the engine is good at idle, but I
> > doubt that the advance has ever been tested.
> >
> > This is a 85 westy automatic with a newly rebuilt 2.1L block
> > installed (about 5k miles post rebuild).  It has the stock 1.9FI
> > system, including a rebuilt computer & distributor & afm.
> >
> > It seems weird to me that the RPM range is so specific -- it really
> > only does it at that particular RPM range.  Any ideas?   Bad
> > distributor advance?   Flat spot in the AFM?   1.9L FI system not
> > well matched to a 2.1L block?
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com