The roll pin hole, at least on my van, is angled roughly between 4:30 and 11:30 looking directly at the actuator. The 4:30 end of the hole is larger diameter so the roll pin inserts there easily. But the shift linkage restricts access to a degree so you don't have a clear path past about four inches. The welding rod ( coat hanger would be too thick) let me place the pin in the hole just deep enough toregister but not as deep as to prevent the vacuum units pin inserting.

My mag pick up was too long to fit in. I have seen pics of someone using a small punch and the pin superglued to the end.

Cheers

Alistair

> On Dec 10, 2015, at 11:05 AM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> thanks for that Alistair. Not a Syncro owner-operator but I can
> see those pics notes and tips being quite beneficial for Syncronauts.
> Particularly the weld rod tip. Would metal coat hanger wire or flexible
> magnetic pickup tool work for that?
> 
> 
>> On 12/10/15, Alistair Bel <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> Got my starter rebuilt and installed yesterday. Didn't take many pics of the
>> process, but a few and some notes here
>> https://shufti.wordpress.com/
>> 
>> Alistair
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Neil n
> 
> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
> 
> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
> 
> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
> 
> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>