timing for a 65, 40hp 1200cc 205M?

[Silver65]

I have a 65, with a 111906 205M which I believe is also the ZV/JU 4 R 3. I saw two different timing suggestions which are: 10D-BTDC and 7.5D-BTDC, which one is correct?

thanks!

[Sharp64]

10* Static

This is what I always reference:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170811040030/http://www.oldvolkshome.com/ignition.htm#A1965
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[Mervo]

I almost never look at static timing and use max advance as the guide as that is where the engine operates. The M, K and other variants of this distributor all have different recommended max advance. Important to get right to prevent any pinking.
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1962 Porsche 356
1968 Porsche 911 (sold)
1988 Porsche 911
2004 Porsche Turbo
1960 VW beetle (Australian)

[Sharp64]

Use static to get it running. Hard to time all in if it won’t start
_________________
1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[T-F-E]

10° before TDC is correct for this distributor. If I remember correctly maximum advance should be somewhere between 28° and 32°. If you time it with a strobelight the vacuum line should be disconnected and plugged. And remember to make sure that the advance plate returns all the way back. They can get a bit sticky after many years of use. The 205M came in 1964 just like the Z/V JU4R3. To my knowledge they are pretty much identical. I have the JU4R3 on my car and it works very good. I usually static time it first. Then I warm up the car and double check with a strobe light. The static timing is usually very correct, but the strobelight often show that it needs to be advanced a tiny bit more.
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1971 1302S - Miss Blue
1963 1200 - Old lady red
1973 Type 2 Panel - Helga Hippie container
1979 Mercedes 230 - Fraulein Grün the star pig

[Frederik]

[tasb]

We are working with a vacuum advance only distributor. If you disconnect the vacuum you will have 0 spark advance. Static time 10 degrees BTDC.

Correct, the ZV/JU 4 R 3 and the 111 905 205 M are the same distributor. In mid 1964 (March) Bosch changed their part numbering system.

As to Fredericks list above, the 113 905 205 J is a non Bosch distributor made by Garbe Lahmeyer.
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Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[T-F-E]

Yes, if you use a strobelight to set the timing at max advance the vacuum line must be connected. But when the strobelight is used it to set the timing at idle I always disconnect the vacuum to make sure that the carburetor isn't pulling at the advance plate. If it is pulling the advance while we set the timing at idle, the distributor won't be able to give enough advance at higher rpm.
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1971 1302S - Miss Blue
1963 1200 - Old lady red
1973 Type 2 Panel - Helga Hippie container
1979 Mercedes 230 - Fraulein Grün the star pig

[tasb]

Hope it's ok to disagree on procedures it's nothing personal. The specs for the vacuum only distributors is static timing not at idle. i would consider idle timing (if any advanced)on a vac only distributor a curiosity.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[tasb]

[rcroane]

[tasb]

From a 1963 owners manual.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/63bugowners/page60-61.jpg

If the distributor is designed to give spark advance at idle you will be timing your engine somewhat retarded. That's why VW uses static (engine not running). I guess it would qualify as a bad habit that could get you into trouble. This applies to vacuum advance only distributors. Always a good practice to verify you are not exceeding 32 degrees advance at full throttle. For the same reason you don't want to time a distributor with mechanical advance at idle, you time it at full throttle.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[tasb]

[rcroane]

[tasb]

[VWNate]

I see lots of good info here,

I'd like to time my 36HP and BOSCH 019 Dist. to the full advance but am not sure where to set the advance knob on my stroboscopic timing light so the 'V notch in the crank pulley lines up at full advance....

I hope this makes sense, I always use this dynamic timing light and the TDC mark to set 1600's .

TIA,
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-Nate

One last Beetle : 1959 #113 DeLuxe survivor ~ 36HP & full synchro tranny, 6 volts etc.

[mukluk]

[VWNate]

Thanx, I used the advance dial to see what I get when timed at the single (7.5BTDC ?) notch, this says 24.5 all in .
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-Nate

One last Beetle : 1959 #113 DeLuxe survivor ~ 36HP & full synchro tranny, 6 volts etc.