Thanks Ken,

I checked the timing, seemed a bit on the "retarded" side (that's to the
right when watching the notch, right)?  I moved the distributor so it's
right about centered on the case seam, maybe a tad advanced.  The idle
speeded up when I did that so I backed it off down to around 900 or so
based on the dash tach.  My old Sears "engine analyzer" did NOT show
anywhere near correct RPM for some reason: the meter was jumping all
over the place.

How "steady" should the timing mark be?  Mine jumps back and forth a few
degrees, it's not rock-solid at all.  So I have to kind of "interpolate"
the center and assume that's what the timing really is.  I don't know if
this is my timing light or the ignition.  I did notice it seemed to miss
once in a while.  Also sometimes the timing light did not flash at all
for a revolution.  Maybe I ought to see what the inside of the
distributor looks like....

When you advance 7 - 10 degrees do you have to use premium fuel?

Allan

Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net> writes:

> Actually the Bentley is very confusing on this point and I have asked
> them in their new additions to clarify this point.  If you read
> through the procedure carefully you will see that adjusting the timing
> with the Temp II unplugged and the engine revving so high is only done
> when you have a special tool also attached to the engine.  No one I
> have ever known has had one of these so the proper way to adjust the
> timing on a waterboxer is much simpler.
>
> Let the engine warm up to normal operating temperature. Using a timing
> light adjust the timing until the "V" notch in the big pulley lines up
> with the case halves. That is stock timing.
> Adjust your idle to around 950 rpms and then recheck the timing and
> your are done.
>
> I usually like to advance up timing to between 7 and 10 degrees BTDC
> as the engine seems to have a little more power and run a little more
> smoothly there.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
>
>
> Allan Streib wrote:
>> Trying to understand the proper ignition timing for my 2.1l WBX
>> (Digifant).  Based on my read of the Bentley, it should be 5 degrees
>> BTDC at 2000-2500 RPM with the engine warm and Temp II disconnected.
>>
>> Is that correct?
>>
>> Another section talks about checking a 35 degree advance at 3000 RPM
>> with the Temp II connected.
>>
>> Allan
>> --
>> 1991 Vanagon GL
>>
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>

--
Allan Streib

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