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Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:02 pm

It sounds like the right side float might be sticking, and causing fuel to literally dump into the engine. You might want to pull that carb (or just the top off it), and see where the float level cut off is. I think the top of the float should be level with the bottom of the top (the seam line), but don't quote me on that. It should also drop about 10mm from the off point.

On the type 4, limit total advance to 27 degrees. You might have to pull the cooling air bellows to see the timing marks.

Since it sounds like someone has been inside to rebuild your distributor, the drive might have been installed 180 degrees off. Does the engine actually run at this point? Or is it just trying? The drive being 180 out might be the cause. To fix it, you'll need to pull the dist. out, and then remove the spring to access the pin holding the drive dog. Use a hammer and punch to drive the pin out, then flip the drive dog 180, and re-install the pin and spring. Now re-install the dist. and see if it'll run.
Of course you should bring #1 cylinder up to check the location of the rotor first, before flipping the drive dog.

Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:47 pm

see the thing is, the car was running as good as a progressive can run when i pulled the carbs. So timing was good and valves were good. I opened that top of the carb yesterday and the bowl was about 40% full of fuel.

From my understanding white smoke and backfiring thru the carb is a sign of being lean correct?

Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:50 pm

I was also looking at a diagram of the 34 weber, I think I forgot to clean the Idle jet. Is this underneath the accelerator pump?

Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:56 pm

AdamsFastback wrote: see the thing is, the car was running as good as a progressive can run when i pulled the carbs. So timing was good and valves were good. I opened that top of the carb yesterday and the bowl was about 40% full of fuel.

From my understanding white smoke and backfiring thru the carb is a sign of being lean correct?

OK, so you put the new plug wires back on cap in the same location as the old ones. If so, then the timing portion should be good. The carb base, without the top, the level sounds about right, since the float is no longer displacing fuel in it (drops the fuel level).

I've found timing (plug wire on the wrong plug), and or fuel dumping down the throat (from a bad needle and seat) will cause those things to happen. White smoke being excess fuel being dumped, and backfiring being the wrong plug trying to fire at the wrong time. If you still have the old carb parts that you swapped out, you might try replacing the needle and seat on the right carb with one of the old ones. It couldn't hurt to try.

Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:59 pm

problem is the old carb is a 32/36 progressive...can't use the needle/seat from that correct?

Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:03 pm

OK, I though you put a set of kits in them. You must have just taken them apart, and cleaned them. You might want to try that again, and use compressed air on the ports and passages inside, as it sounds like a chunk of dirt is in there somewhere.

Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:17 pm

yeah they were hand me downs i got from a friend's squareback, the guy had an extra set he had rebuilt, got them off of him, pulled the carbs open seemed clean, checked out the jets, it runs just very badly...I'll pull open that carb again and use canned air on it.

Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:16 pm

so something interesting just happened, I got impatient and decided to do one man timing in a car that doesn't idle all that great...

I moved the dizzy couldn't get it to start...compared it to the pic i took yesterday. I get it to start, rev, idle(like a boat since the speed screws haven't been fine tuned)...However after a little bit the LEFT carb pops...i dont have another person with me to try and time this properly, but doesn't this sound like timing or dwell?

Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:09 pm

Would you guys still recommend setting the timing to 10 ATDC with dual webers? Or is their another setting you'd recommend?

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:05 pm

Depends on the distributor.
IIRC, you are running a FI dist. without the vacuum advance hooked up.
Set your timing at about 30 degrees at 3000 rpm, and then see what you have at idle.

Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:27 pm

Have you checked your fuel pressure? Webers don't like more then 3PSI. That could cause one or the other carb to flood.

Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:40 pm

i think i figured out the big problem...i had a spectre fuel regulator, what a piece of crap that thing is. I went out today and found a Holley Fuel Regulator with a 1 in 2 out setup that will also double as my T connector...I am so stoked to go home from work and try this out.

Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:02 am

so more progress tonight...

Bought a fuel psi gauge, tested the spectre fuel pump, set it to 3.5psi, gauge showed it at anywhere from 1 to 5 psi (TOTAL PIECE OF CRAP)

Put in the Holley Fuel Reg, set it to 3.5 psi (it actually stayed at 3.5 until I rev'd it and it dropped to 2.7-3.0, but then back to 3.5)

The engine runs a ton better, no more coughing, popping or backfiring. However it is still running rough and not idling right. Decided to use the brake cleaner trick real quick, and found that it started missing on the left side when sprayed on the base of the intake. Will have to tighten that up tomorrow, but I consider it good progress today.

Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:31 pm

well since I'm still having an issue, i saw this ad and i'm VERY tempted to buy it...is this everything I need? http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=823501

Sharkskinman is an FI guy, so i figure with his help we can get this going on the 1700cc T4.

Sun Jan 24, 2010 4:51 am

i can help a little by hooking it up and some diagnosing but im SURE mr greenwood is going to be a Tremendous help

we'll get it moving

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:57 pm

Well i finally got the 2.0Ls on the car! Here's some pics...sorry about the quality it started to get dark and my cam sucks without a glaring sun.

Oh and if anyone has some centercaps for sale, let me know...obviously i need em!

Special thanks to raygreenwood for some sound Caliper advice!! I owe you a beer when you come to vegas my friend :D