Thanks for the info.  My pulley is a little different, instead of the U
shaped "dimple" being on the left, it is on the right.  I set the timing to
where the V is at the center of the case, but could only get 700-750 rpm
with it there, but after I plugged the idle sabeliser in, the RPM jumped to
about 850-900 RPM.  I did notice while watching the flash on the timing
light, that every once in a while, it misses a flash at about the same time
that the engine skips.  I connected the timing light to the other plug wires
and didn't have that problem most of the time (it happened but about 1 10th
of the time)

I rebuilt everything that didn't require cracking the case.  It wasn't too
bad except that it took a lot longer than I expected (about 5 days).  I
purchased all of my parts from Fast German Auto.  They have extremely good
prices and give excellent advice, but I like the convenience that The Bus
Depot offers with the check by phone.

Pete
83.5 Vanagon
peterz@gte.net

-----Original Message-----
From:   Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:Vanagon@VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Paul
Borghese
Sent:   Thursday, June 11, 1998 3:54 PM
To:     Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re: Timing

There should be two timing marks on your pulley.  The mark closest to the
engine crankcase is a sharp cut V.  On the same pulley, the second mark is a
small dimple about 7 mm to the left on the further edge of the pulley.  I
believe (if memory serves me correct)  that the V is 5 degrees ATDC and the
dimple is TDC.  You can verify just by rotating the engine and seeing which
mark comes first.

To adjust the timing, disconnect the idle stabilizer and set the idle speed
to 850.  Using your timing light, rotate the distributor until the V  lines
up with the center split in the crankcase.

I noticed an interesting thing with my engine.  On the oil flap door (where
the license plate is), there is a sticker that says the correct idle speed
is 750 and the timing is not-adjustable?  But since I have a DH engine, I
followed the recommendations in the Bentley.  Anyone else have a similar
sticker?

By the way, this week I pulled my engine to do a rebuild.  How hard was it
to do a rebuild?  Where did you buy your parts?  Did you rebuild the
crankcase?

Paul Borghese

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Zendzian <peterz@GTE.NET>
Date: Thursday, June 11, 1998 3:46 AM
Subject: Timing

>I am trying to set the timing on my van and need some additional
>information.  I have an 83.5 Vanagon with 1.9 water-cooled engine code
"DH".
>According to the Bentley manual, (my engine code is not listed in the new
>Haynes manual)  In the Bentley on page 10, my timing is supposed to be set
>at 5+-1 degree ATDC.  On page 11 of the Bentley, which says almost the same
>thing, except to set the timing 5 degreed +-1 degree before TDC.  Since
>there are no timing marks on our vanagons, how can I tell if I am setting
it
>right.  BTW, I have the three belt pulley because I have air con.  Right
>now, I have the timing set so that it is lined up with the centerline of
the
>engine.  If I advance the timing, the engine runs cooler and quieter?
>Also, I am having a problem at idle.  The engine has a random
skip/misfire?.
>I rebuilt the engine because of low compression thinking that was the
>problem, but there was no change.  I have replaced the ignition coil,
>replaced the cold start valve, spark plugs and wires, cap, rotor, cleaned
>the throttle body, dismantled cleaned and inspected the distributor and
>fixed any vacuum leaks that I could find.  The only thing that showed any
>improvement was when I fixed the vacuum leaks.  I am having a problem with
>the cold start valve, does not work with the engine cold, only with a
>slightly warm engine, i.e., if I run the engine for a while and it warms
up,
>then let the van sit for a while (1-2 hrs.) and cool down, the cold start
>valve will kick in when I restart the van.  If anyone has any suggestions I
>would greatly appreciate them.
>
>Pete
>83.5 Vanagon
>peterz@gte.net
>