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  View original topic: set electronic ignition
Merl Thu May 12, 2011 10:48 pm

if anyone can help this is my first car with an electronic ignition. i have a 1973 vw baja bug. just received a 2387cc engine for it and i think the timing is off. it has an electronic distributor and i do not know how to set it. does it need to be plugged in or unplugged when setting the timing?

andk5591 Fri May 13, 2011 3:20 am

electronic distibutor - little more detail would help - like what brand and maybe a model. mechanical, vac advance? By plugged or unplugged, you mean vac line? Going to make a stab and guess maybe you have an SVDA (034) with Pertronix or Compufire. If so - unplug and cap the vac line back to that carb and set it for 28-30 at max advance (like around 3500 RPMs.

Dale M. Fri May 13, 2011 7:35 am

"Electronic" distributor usually set same way as mechanical.

Guessing you only have a red and black wire going from coil to distributor.

Static setting is with engine not running but with key on... Connect test light from coil wire (#1 terminal) to ground, put crank shaft pulley on 7.5° BTDC ( #1 cylinder- at top of compression stroke) and rotate distributor till test lamp just comes on.

Running .... Set it at about 28-30° BTDC at 2800-3000 rpm.... Slight variation may be needed to correct for PING (detonation) or some vagrancy to your particular build.


Dale



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