On the 1.9l engines they wanted you to set the timing to 5 degrees after
TDC for some reason.  However I have found that these engine lack power
at that setting.  So you want to set them to between 5 and 7 Before TDC
like the 2.1l Vanagons.  On those engines the V mark is to the right of
the U mark exactly 1/4 of an inch.  Just measure from the center of the
U 1/4 of an inch to the right and make your new V mark with some paint
and you should be good to go.

Let me know if you need anything,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

T Collins wrote:
> Hello Ken,
>
> Thanks for the reply. I have some questions for you. I looked at your
> Dec 26, 2007 newsletter and also at your reply now and like to be
> clear about something.
>
> You say that the V notch is the timing mark and that the U mark is the
> TDC. My pulley has the V notch to the left of the U mark.....so like this;
> V----->U (one on the front the other on the rear of the pulley)
>
> So If I am getting this right, U is TDC, then would V be 5* BTDC? So
> for proper timing the V notch should be 2* more to the right side of
> the engine halves? That would equal = 7* BTDC
>
> I just want to make sure that I am wrapping my brain around this
> correctly.
>
> Lastly then, the U TDC mark is there for valve ajustments.
>
> I just need to return the timing to specs, since I fiddled with it so
> much. The van iddles pretty much fine both cold and hot in the present
> seetings, but sucks while under load as soon as geeting it out of 1st
> gear. I ahve check the grounds and they all looked good and intact.
> I'll check them again.
>
> My 85 has the under the TB possition switch, not checked yet.
> I will try and buy a new temp II sender and install it.
> I have 3 afm that I have switch with the problems being the same.
> I have tryed 2 differnt O2 sensors
> I haveto pick up a set of new wires locally.
>
> Thanks again,
> Tony
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 12:31 PM, Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net
> <mailto:kenwilfy@comcast.net>> wrote:
>
>     Tony, the timing was not the culprit.  Your timing can't change
>     unless you change it by moving the distributor so you can't go
>     from a good running van to a bad one and the timing be the
>     culprit.  It would not change on it's own.  So now you have two
>     problems, the original one and the fact that your timing is not
>     not set properly.  The two marks you have on your pulleys are V
>     notch (timing mark) and U notch (TDC).  I would set your timing to
>     about 7 deg BTDC (advanced).  It should run well there.  You can
>     do this the easiest with a timing light that has a little dial on
>     the back that allows you to set it to the timing you desire then
>     aim it at the U mark and turn the distributor until the U mark
>     lines up with the case halves.  If you don't have one of those
>     measure the distance between the V mark and the U mark with a tape
>     measure.  Now make another mark the same distance as these two
>     marks are apart but on the other side of the U.  That should be 5
>     degrees advanced which would be fine.  Now time it to that using
>     the static light with the idle stablizer by passed and it should
>     run as good as it is going to run.  Now you have to troubleshoot
>     the stumbling problem which is probably something completely
>     different.  Check out my article on bucking and hesistating and if
>     it helps you out.
>     http://www.vanagain.com/bucking1.htm
>
>     Let me know if I can help you further.
>
>     Ken Wilford
>     John 3:16
>     www.vanagain.com <http://www.vanagain.com/>
>
>
>     --
>     82 Scirocco "Rodolfo"
>     85 Vanagon "El Guapo"
>     90 Fuji Ace
>