At 01:59 PM 10/19/2008, B.J.R. wrote:
>Can I accurately time an 82 vanagon
>
>Using any special type of timing light or insturment

There are timing lights that let you dial in degrees of advance --
but you need retard, so you need to do two things:

1) mechanically determine firing-stroke TDC on #1 cylinder, using a
probe into the plug-hole.  For check, the mark on the crank pulley
should be in about the right place per the picture in Bentley.

2) Mark that position in the place where the scale should be.

2a) :-)  Measure or otherwise discover the circumference of the crank
pulley, then calculate the distance (circumference / 72) represented
by five degrees.  Assuming the engine turns to the right, mark the
crank pulley that distance to the left of the TDC mark.  Now time
using basic timing light, but matching the 5-degree mark to the case mark.

d

--
David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage," '85 GL "Poor Relation"