With the Bentley manual and a timing light you can have your van back on time
in no time:)  It is pretty easy with the pre-86 motors (as Bob recently
revealed the secrets of timing later model Vanagons maybe this will be easy
now as well).
You just unplug your idle stabilizer (green or black box with two cannon
plugs in the bottom on driver's side firewall), connect the plugs to each
other, put some white paint/white-out on the mark on the pulley (forget if it
is the "V" mark or the "U" mark so check the manual), and then hook in your
timing light.
Aim her at the pulley.  Set the timing by turning the distributor (align
white mark on pulley and case halves line) and set the idle speed to around
850 rpms and you should be good to go.

If you are still experiencing the "loping idle" you might want to replace
your idle stabilizer as I have brand new ones right now for $24 each (usually
a $150 dealer item).

Hope this helps,
Ken Wilford
http://www.vanagain.com
John 3:16
Office (856)-765-1583
Shop (856)-327-0027
Fax   (856)-327-2242