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Mon Jul 14, 2003 10:35 pm

Just installed my compu-fire electronic ignition, got the air gap problem fixed, and now having issues with timing. Since I don't have a gun, i have to try to freeball time it to "feel" which is the best spot. It either feels too lean or too rich to me where ever I put it. While driving it just seems like I'm not getting enough power, even when rich (or so I think). Whats good ways to tell if you are running rich besides sooty plugs? Maybe my carb needs cleaning? all help appreciated.

Jerms

Mon Jul 14, 2003 10:39 pm

woops.

I'm running a stock 1600 dp, 009 distributor, 34 pict carb, 64 deluxe bus.

Its just feeling hot, and I'm worried about driving her too rich.

Tue Jul 15, 2003 5:04 am

Think your best bet would be to run out and get yourself a Timing Light and do it right .

Tue Jul 15, 2003 6:49 am

You'll never get your jetting right if you time it by ear.
Years ago I bought an el-cheapo timing light from Auto-Zone, and even after getting sucked into the fan belt, still works to this day.

Tue Jul 15, 2003 9:03 am

Whoa Whoa...Are you talking "Rich" as in carburetor? Or "Advanced" as in the distributor setting? Either way DO NOT just "Feel" the timing! It'll feel good at 10-12...and it'll feel good at 4-6, depending on how your Carb is running. You must understand that with an 009, you need to time it at about 6-8, 8's fine, but I would stop there. Now, static time that baby...Nate's VW website is down, so he can't show you how, and it would take me too long to explain it. Can anyone out there help this guy out?????

For real though, you'll drop a valve in a matter of miles, as well as run the engine temperature sky high if your timing is off! So trust me, just get it timed correctly!

James

Tue Jul 15, 2003 10:35 am

the thing with the static timing, is the electronic ignition... Theres no points to touch, i tried the positive wire, but the light just stays on. i feel so poor, i don't want to buy a darn gun and I know i will have to.

i haven't touched the carb, just the distributor advance and such.

Piece
Jerms

Tue Jul 15, 2003 9:43 pm

You can static time it, just by getting it set up, and then Just pulling the #1 spark plug wire off the disributor, and hold it just above it a little, then when the spark jumps as you rotate the distributor...you cna find the correct spot, it works well for me, I've tried it with the gun, after i static timed it, and it was good. So, i Know it's possible, I'm running electronic too.
Peace
James

Wed Jul 16, 2003 2:51 pm

Ok well i bought a cheesy advanced timing gun just to get the timing correct. Checked out your site james, nates, the aussies, all on carb idle, rich, timing yadda yadda.

Idle should be at about 900 rpms.
Ok from http://www.w-p-c.com/buggy3.htm, I got that I should rev the engine to 3000 rpms (getting it up there sounds loud as hell! feels like a flat spot too once past 2000. that sound right?), set the gun to 32 minus the 8 BTDC needed for my electronic ignition. So at 24 on the dial, the timing mark I have should be at the notch?
IT feels way way too retarded if if I would set it that way, The notch on the distributor where ignite #1 is almost point to the left with that setting. With the engine idle at 900 rpms, I'm getting the timing mark at the notch.

I'm getting acquainted with the gun, so someone please help.

Wed Jul 16, 2003 5:51 pm

Not sure if this is what you meant or what you did, but the procedure should be as follows:

Make sure the engine is completely warmed up!

Set the advance on the timing gun to your desired total advance (around 30-32), then with the engine rpms at 2500, point the gun at the case parting line and rotate the distributor until TDC on the crank pulley matches the parting line.

That's it! Now, if you want, let the engine idle and rotate the advance on the gun until the TDC of the pulley lines up with the parting line. Whatever the advance on the gun is when it's lined up is what your advance at idle is.

The most important thing is that the total advance is correct. Different distributors will have a different initial advance at idle.

Ken

Thu Jul 17, 2003 12:05 pm

Ok Ken, so setting the gun at 32 means TDC? At 2500 RPMS the TDC mark should match up with the notch on the crankcase? If im supposed to be at 8 BTDC should i move the gun to 24? and look for the mark to be at the notch on the crankcase at 2500 rpms??

Whats happening when I do it, is that at idle, where it feels like it starts and runs well is when the gun is set to 30 32ish, idle is at about 900 920.
But from what you said in your second point, that means im running 32 ATDC??

Reason why im being such a girl is, its getting hot, and I want to go back on the freeway again sometime... Dipstick is hot (did the 1 2 second trick) Coil dizzy all hot to the touch. I'm just getting paranoid.

Much gratitude
Piece

Tue Jul 22, 2003 11:02 am

anyone able to help?

Thu Jul 24, 2003 2:34 pm

hey well i need help to richin the mixture do you turn the hand screws in or out to richin the mixture please i dont have my book yet