What's the right timing on a 71 bug

[mr cortes]

Hey guys I need help ,does anyone know what's the timing on a 71 bug w a 009 distributor w/o vacuum advance ? I read an article that it said it has to be 5°ATDC but on an other article said it has to be on 10°BTDC can anyone help.thanks in advance

[Randy in Maine]

Neither.

If you have to use a 009 at least time so it will work as well as it can. After you figure where TDC is on this thing (keeping in mind that the notch on the pulley from the factory was at 5º ATDC) time it so all of the centrifical advance is all in and make that point to be 30º +/- 2º. That should happen by about 300-3500 RPMS.

Let it loaf back to idle and note where that intial timing falls but don't change it.

A better distributor would be a plus to have.

[wcfvw69]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=251672

Use this thread to identify which pulley is on your engine. 5* ATDC is for a DVDA distributor with two different vacuum lines going to it.

Follow Randy's advice on how to time the 009. I also agree that the 009 isn't the most ideal distributor, especially if you're running a 34-3 distributor.
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[Cusser]

See the two responses above. I agree 100%, and I do run a German 009 on my 1971.

The timing needs to be about 30 BTDC at about 3500 rpm, regardless of the distributor or carburetor. Then - like posted - the timing at idle or static timing falls where it does, and it does make sense to make note of that too.

Under those conditions, my German 009 static times to 7.5 BTDC, but that was manufactured 40 years ago; since then, South America or China is where they are made, and their quality is not the same....
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[mr cortes]

OK I may try that ,what kind and brand of distributor will u recommend?

[pistolpetecowboy]

[Randy in Maine]

Other options include a Bosch 019 and (assuming you have the factory correct carb on this thing) the correct DVDA or SVDA distributor.

Any of those would be better than the 009 you currently have.

[Agent47]

Randy is correct with timing the 009. At 3500 RPMs you should be a max advance and you will set your timing around 30°BTDC, I say around as I have seen some run better at 28 and some run better at 32.

[mr cortes]

I have another distributor w vacuum advance but I couldn't set it right, here what :I did I set the pulley at TDC the rotor was pointing to sparkplug wire #1. When I set the vacuum advance distributor the rotor was pointing to sparkplug wire #2 , i change the wires Fire order and couldn't get it run . I know u probably think I'm stupid but don't know much about engines I'm just trying to learn.and the carburator its a solex 34 pic 3

[David_nc_72std]

Some (possibly all??) of the 009 distributors have the distributor cap rotated 90 degrees off from the stock distributor. You just have to reposition the spark plug wires on the cap, #1 wire goes to whatever terminal the rotor is pointing to at TDC on cylinder #1. The firing order does not change.

[vamram]

[wcfvw69]

[mr cortes]

This is the distributor w vacuum advance , already set it in the bug, just needs to get the right timing .

[67rustavenger]

[wcfvw69]

Agree with above. ^^^

Then, ditch that "Bruck", Chinese POS and get a rebuilt Bosch distributor.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[Cusser]

Two clamps on fuel line; do you wear both belt and suspenders?
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[dubllyou]

I think your 205N is vacuum only advance like the 205T I run. It wants to see vacuum signal from right below the venturi on the carb. Timing should be set at 0 degrees with vacuum source disconnected and plugged.

[ashman40]

[mr cortes]

Hey about the clamps it better be safe than sorry thanks for the advice, what u think about a pertronix flame thrower 2 will that work better?

[wcfvw69]