Matt,

On Wed, 13 Mar 1996, Matt Goike wrote:

> thanks for all the suggestions, here's a list:
> check fanbelt/alt bearing (just put new belt on in august&it is tightened to
> spec), no grease where the points rubbing block and distributor can
> make contact (?), loose plug, trash in shroud, loose head, hole in muffler
> (don't think this is it).  i'll check these to the best of my abilities, and hope
> that it is something this simple.  somehow i have the feeling it is more
> serious.

Something to check is the distributor bearings, if they are dry they will 
make the sound you're describing.  Lube these by pulling the cap and 
rotor and put a few drops of oil from the dipstick on the felt pad in the 
middle of the distributor shaft.

As I wrote this I realized that this is for my 77 Rabbit.  I don't know 
whether the same applies to the van engine...duh.  Worth it to check I 
suppose.

Jack