Distributor delema

[ClareSutton]

Started my '71 notch today after a total engine rebuild. The strange thing is though I couldn't get it to start until I started looking at the timing. It appears my distributor is 180 degrees out. If I switch the #1 and #3 wires and the #2 and #4 wires it runs like a dream. I used my strobe light and fine tuned the timing but now when the timing mark on the pulley is lined up and the rotor is lined up with the dist notch it's #3 thats at top dead centre not #1. I know the dist dog and the dist drive slot are off-set so lifting the dist and rotating the rotor 180 degrees won't fix it. I guess it's alright as long as I remember that top dead centre for cyl #1 is 180 degrees off. RIGHT??? Do I need to fix this? If so, How? Any tip is greatly appreciated.

[Glenn]

You can leave the wires moved or you could remove the retaining pin on the drive dog and reinstall it 180 off.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[ClareSutton]

Thanks, Glen. I Appreciate the help.

[JSMskater]

[Glenn]

[Russ Wolfe]

ON a FI T-3, the distributor has trigger points in the base. Those need to be reasonably timed too. So that the rigth pair of injectors is opening at the right time.
If you know the distributor drive is in right, and the distributor is 180 out, then someone had flipped the drive dog before.
_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

[KTPhil]

Is your Canadian notch with EFI or carbs?

[ClareSutton]

My notch is a FI model. I'm trying to understand what I might have done during the engine rebuild. It might be the way I re-installed the dist drive although I payed close attention to the manual (slot at 60 derees angle to block. Narrow side of slot pointed in the proper direction). I can't think of anywhere else I might have caused this.

[Glenn]

You were on TDC for #3 and not #1. Remember the cam turns at half speed to the crankshaft.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[ClareSutton]

If I set my valves starting with cyl 3 instaed of cyl 1 without knowing and set the remaining cylinders the same could this be my problem? I have switched the wires 1 for 3 and 2 for 4 and it runs. Maybe I need to check and make sure that when cyl 1 is definitely at TDC both valves are closed. If one is open could the car actually run just by switching wires?

[KTPhil]

No, the valves must be adjusted at TDC! Changing timing does not rectify it. You can damage the engine by running it with maladjusted valves.

[Russ Wolfe]

This is what the gear should look like when the engine is on TDC #1.

_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

[KTPhil]

Notice the use of a thin rod to make sure the spring and washers do NOT get dropped into the case! A little grease on the shims also makes them stay in place once there.