if the dizzy is in 180 off ..
you can re-index the plug wires on the cap to compensate..
but that's not really right as that might add confusion in the future.

( Hey !! that's what's wrong with the whole world ...'confusion'. There
, we nailed it...humanity's main problem ..Confusion )

additionally on an air-cooled VW opposed four ( yuck ! btdt ! ) # 3 is
slightly retarded on the points cam, and it would not really be right
that way, though it would run just fine.

on a Fridae maybe I'll share a 2,500 year old buddist thing about
'confusion.'  Just a paragraph. I know it by heart ...it is really a
2,500 year old thing.
How many vanagon techs know that kinda stuff too ?

seeing more clearly now, Scott

On 12/7/2013 11:48 AM, Steve Cotsford wrote:
> Thanks for your comments Scott.     I must confess that my instinct would have been to remove the r/h valve cover and check the valve positions on #1 but I can see your point and reasoning.   I have been working on overhead cam engines so long but clearly on this engine the cam shaft is a lot harder to look at :-)     I should probably need to do that check anyway.    As you say the Dizzie could have been put in 180 degrees off.
> Cheers,  Steve
>
> On Dec 7, 2013, at 2:17 PM, Scott Daniel wrote:
>
>> thanks for the reference ..
>>
>> one, I'd ask how is the poster totally sure he has the engine on # 1 TDC
>> when the dist rotor points where it should.
>>
>> the only absolutly sure way to tell it's on t# 1 TDC to fire is to
>> remove the left valve cover and see that # 3 valves are in 'point of
>> balance' .that is exhaust just closing and intake just open ..
>> when # 3 does that, and crank pulley says it's at TDC ..then you know
>> it's really on # 1 TDC to fire.
>>
>> othewise you don't actually truly know. The distributor can be put in
>> out of phase or incorrectly.
>>
>> the other thought is ..
>> watching the injectors actually spray...hanging out the engine ..as
>> shown in Bently is a great test.
>> And ...only ONE little screw to remove 2 injectors per side to get them
>> hanging on the fuel hoses..
>> that is NICE ! ..
>> almost all other cars, even VW jettas with the same basic type of EFI
>> don't allow this.  LIke not even a minute to get injectors on each side
>> haning out where you can watch them spray.
>>
>> oh..here's a GREAT little test too ..this is how I do it actually ...
>> rather than crank the engine on the starter to watch the injectors spray ..
>> I like to do it by turning the ( or 'a' ) distributors with my fingers
>> ..key on.
>> and each ignition pulse should make the fuel pump run, and all four
>> injectors spray together.
>>
>> I just grab my known-good spare distributor and plug the harness into
>> it, leaving the engine's distributor in place.
>> DO NOT ..
>> to be safe, ever crank the engine without a distributor installed in it !!
>> If the shims under the dist drive gear get of place...
>> they can jam on the brass crankshaft gear even ..you could have a real
>> mess to deal with.
>>
>> maybe you guys think I'm a grumpy fart ...and wouldn't blame you if you
>> did ..
>> and maybe some people can't tell I am exceptionally experienced on these
>> fine machines ...
>> or maybe some  can tell  that I am  be pretty clever at times or hyper
>> committed to excellent results and great value ...
>> or maybe ya' all can't tell that..in any case,
>>
>> Isn't  it ironic and weird
>> that someone is running an intentional fraud scheme on me about their 85
>> Westy ..claiming in legal court papers that I set their on van on fire
>> and a dozen other insane fabrications..
>> isn't that just weird ???
>> To the tune of over $ 40,000 even.  Ya all please pray that rightness
>> and justice prevail here.  Thanks !
>>
>> Scott
>>
>> On 12/7/2013 10:42 AM, OlRivrRat wrote:
>>>                Steve
>>>
>>>        I'm surprised that ScottD hasn't ChimedIn yet suggesting that you
>>> should have a NoidLight so as to be able to check for a signal on the
>>> InjectorWires. Is there possibly some sort of inductive pickup sensor
>>> that you can get for your Fluke that might provided the needed info ~
>>> probably expensive if it exists ~
>>>
>>> ORR ~ DeanB
>>>
>>> On 7 Dec , 2013, at 10:48 AM, Steve Cotsford wrote:
>>>
>>>> I am woking on the '88 Biuestar I bought back in April and I am now
>>>> feeling able to work on it.       The van came with an uninstalled
>>>> 2.1 (not the original from this van) that was missing some parts
>>>> etc. which back in May I installed with replacement parts, exhaust
>>>> etc.    I believe I have assembled it with all the Injection system
>>>> and ignition system complete.     My progress was cut short by a
>>>> vehicle accident almost 6 months ago and only now do I feel able to
>>>> pick up where I left off.
>>>> I had a fight with an aftermarket door lock system from which I have
>>>> removed a fuse and I am now able to make the starter and fuel pump
>>>> work.
>>>> I have fitted a replacement fuel pump, filters etc and have it
>>>> working and seen fuel pressure at the system gauge point of up
>>>> around 39 psi on a mechanical gauge.
>>>> I have checked out the spark plug firing order and seen that the
>>>> distributor rotor is pointing to the right position when the pulley
>>>> mark is at TDC for cyl 1.
>>>>
>>>> I have tried starting the engine multiple times and have had it
>>>> firing consistently on 2 cylinders I believe.
>>>>
>>>> I then checked the Digifant injectors with engine turning and I
>>>> don't seem to have any spray pattern coming from them in spite of
>>>> the 39psi supply although the 2 on the l/h assembly have been firing
>>>> I believe.
>>>>
>>>> I don't have any special equipment at my disposal as I live in the
>>>> boonies about 1 1/2 hours away from a VW dealer or known VW
>>>> mechanic.   I do however have a good Fluke meter and a Bentleys.
>>>> I have been working on vehicles for 45 plus years though mostly VW
>>>> diesels, Land Rovers and BMW motorcycles in recent years.
>>>>
>>>> !       Is there any advice on how I can check that the injectors
>>>> are not plugged and that they are getting a signal to activate
>>>> them?    Should I just drive to a dealer or mechanic and have the
>>>> injectors pressure tested by people who know what they are
>>>> doing?      Can I use my Fluke meter to determine that the injectors
>>>> are getting a correct firing signal?    at the right time? How
>>>> does the ECU know when to fire the injectors?
>>>>
>>>> 2       Is there a way I can be more sure that the timing is
>>>> correct?    Once again, I have checked that the firing order is
>>>> right and that the distributor  rotor is pointing towards the notch
>>>> with the pulley mark at TDC on cyl 1.        The Bentley gives good
>>>> advice on checking timing on a running engine but obviously I cant
>>>> do that yet.     The fact that 2 seem to be firing should let me
>>>> know something right?
>>>>
>>>> 3       Any thing else that I should do?    Electrical tests.
>>>> Mechanical tests.    Stuff that all Vanagon Digifant owners should
>>>> know to do ??
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,  Steve