Timing Question

[totodile493]

I was setting the timing on a 1974 Super I recently got, and noticed the engine seems to "want" more advanced timing than the "official" 5 deg ATDC. I mean, at the recommended setting, it seems like it's laboring more than it should.

I went with the recommended setting anyway and adjusted the idle accordingly.

After about thirty minutes of driving, the engine will overheat (indicated by white smoke and a warm sensation emanating from the rear) and I'll have to pull over to let it cool down.

I sightly advanced the timing later, and the overheating problem was solved. But a few days later, I grew paranoid about detonation and reset the timing to the original setting. The overheating problem is back.

Besides this, the engine is perfectly fine, the fan is clean, and the tarboard is secure.

Can I advance the timing a little to help with overheating? If so, how far can I go without detonation?

[Eric&Barb]

You need to find out and post which distributor you have. Timing is set according to distributor used, AND you need the correct distributor for the size of engine, and carb used if you are going to use vacuum advance.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Juanito84]

What kind of carburetor and distributor do you have? There were dual heat-riser 1974 Beetles with 34 PICT-4 carburetors that were supposed to be ran at 7.5* BTDC if I do recall, not 5* ATDC. That's over 12* difference!

But regardless. A common rule of thumb is to disconnect and plug all the vacuum lines between the carb and the distributor, then rev the engine to over 3,500 RPM and then set the timing to between 28* to 32*.
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If a water cooled engine cools its water with air, isn't it just an overcomplicated air cooled engine?

[totodile493]

Engine Number: AH087047

Not sure about the distributor, but it is Bosch and has the number 983 on the side.

There is no vacuum hookup.

Carb just says "H30/31PICT Ind.Bras."

[Juanito84]

That's an aftermarket distributor. Definitely NOT designed to run at 5* ATDC. Set it to 28* to 32* BTDC with the engine revved to 3,500 RPM.
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If a water cooled engine cools its water with air, isn't it just an overcomplicated air cooled engine?

[totodile493]

[sjbartnik]

[Juanito84]

[Juanito84]

What does it say on the side of your carburetor and on the base flange?

Your engine will run better if you get the right distributor.
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If a water cooled engine cools its water with air, isn't it just an overcomplicated air cooled engine?

[Eric&Barb]

Look for the distributor # on the side below the orange cap. You might need a small mirror to look at the front side to find it.

EG

Sears sells a great "Engine Analyzer" you can pick up for less than $30.00 used, which is a lot less than an engine rebuild. These will do volts, RPM, dwell, ect....

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=engine+anyliz...p;_sacat=0
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Juanito84]

Ok. Now I see you have an aftermarket H30\31 PICT carb. (for some reason I didn't see that.) I'm guessing you have a 009 distributor. A SVSA distributor would likely be the best. I still think you could get an SVDA to work with it if plug the venturi advance tube, although many disagree with me.
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If a water cooled engine cools its water with air, isn't it just an overcomplicated air cooled engine?

[totodile493]

I'm guessing that is, in fact, 009. Is this incorrect for the car? What is your guys's source for this information?

[Juanito84]

Yep. It's a 009 alright. The common aftermarket universal distributor. It'll "work" with any carburetor. It might not get you the best fuel mileage or performance but it'll run. If you're happy with it just running then the carb and the distributor are fine. But if you want some decent fuel mileage you might want to be on the look out for a better carb/distributor combo.
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If a water cooled engine cools its water with air, isn't it just an overcomplicated air cooled engine?

[totodile493]

[Juanito84]

Now don't get me wrong! Lots of volks feel that the H30/31 and the 009 are a great carb/distributor combo. But for a perfectionist like me I know all too well that the engine not only tolerates more ignition advance at part throttle but it increases efficiency too. And that's exactly what vacuum advance does!

Even though I'm biased towards a vacuum distributor for that reason, my suggestion is to try out the distributor and carburetor you have. If you like how it runs, great! If not, then you can look through lists like this one:

I'm sure there's a list for the 34 PICT carbs too if you have a dual port engine.
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If a water cooled engine cools its water with air, isn't it just an overcomplicated air cooled engine?

[totodile493]

Alright. Thanks for the help.

I will set the timing using the 3500 RPM technique later and report back.

[Tim Donahoe]

I have a 1974 Super Beetle. Your car and mine came with a German Solex 34 PICT 3 (or a 34 PICT 4 in California only) back in 1974.

The stock distributor that came with these 34 PICT 3 carburetors were made by Bosch 0231 170 034. They were called an SVDA. The timing was set at idle (800-950 rpms) to 7.5 degrees BTDC--with the single vacuum hose removed from the distributor and plugged while timing.

So, 7.5 degrees BTDC (at idle) was your original timing mark.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[Juanito84]

[ashman40]

[totodile493]