I've been running mine set to 2.1 L specs as per Ken Wilford for the last 8
years.

Are you saying you are running yours 19 degrees BTDC or 19 degrees advanced
over stock, as in 14 degrees BTDC?

http://www.vanagain.com/newsletter_122607.html

I quote "I like to set the timing to 7 degrees BTDC. I know the book says 5
degrees ATDC but I have found that the 1.9l Engine runs crappy at this
setting. I have found you can safely advance the timing to the same setting
as the 2.1l Vanagons with no ill effects. In fact usually it increases your
horsepower and smooths out the idle. Then adjust your rpms down by turning
the idle air screw (large slotted screw on the top of the throttle body) in
a little. Count your turns so that you can put the screw back to where you
had it originally if need to. "

Chris.

On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 2:56 PM, Walter Houle <whoule@ecscontrols.com> wrote:

> After all of my smog changes (sucessful), I still have a distrubuter with
> a disconnected vacuum retard line and timing set "19 degrees advanced". My
> van runs great, and the shop says its probably OK to leave it as is since
> its been that way for the past 4 years. Now that the vacuum leaks are
> fixed, is it OK? I now don't trust these guys anymore. Am I risking high
> temps or damaging the engine?
>
> Thanks,
> Walter
> 85 Vanagon 1.9L
>