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Tue Jan 07, 2003 10:17 pm

this engine didnt work,( 73 squareback) my friend took it to some mechanic that doesnt even work on Vintage VW, but he got it running, NOw the problem that i notice what was that the spark plug wires are wrong!it runns very rough.he has the #1 cylinder running to the #4 on the distrubuter, and the #2 to the #3on the dis, and the #4 to the #1 on the distrubuter,Its so weird, i hooked it up right, where they go, and i timmed the engine , and gapped the points on the dis, But now it doesnt start and it backfires each time we try to start it, what could this be?

Tue Jan 07, 2003 10:56 pm

I have not been doing this long, but I will give it a shot.

Sounds like he has the distributor drive gear indexed incorrectly, and you are trying to set it up as though it is correct.

To check, I believe the process is to put the crank at TDC on #1 and look at the drive sprague on the end of the distributor drive.
It should be pointing across the vehichle with the ofset to the rear.
If I have it correct, and if I don't, I am sure that someone will come along and correct me.

Wed Jan 08, 2003 12:31 am

any web site on this? thanks

Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:29 am

The engine doesn't care where the distributor is installed, it is only interested in when the spark occurrs. The problem arises with attempting to set the timing, which may not be possible if it is indexed incorrectly. (the vacuum chamber hits the engine case before the correct numbers are reached.) You must determine when number one is in the firing position. Take off the valve cover, rotate the engine by hand in a clockwise direction as you face it and watch the valve action. The four stroke cycle: power, exhaust, intake, compression must be remembered. When you are sure you are getting ready to fire number one, index your distributor wires thusly.

Wed Jan 08, 2003 7:21 am

Thats kinda what I was trying to explain.
If the distributor drive gear is is indexed incorrectly, and this can be as much as 180 dergees off, and you try to install the distributor in the position that you "ASSUME" to be correct, no worky.
that can explaine the backfire and why the mechanic had the wires backwards.