SVDA Timing

[mmunoz]

Good morning, trying to setup proper timing for my engine. It is a 1600DP with a BOSCH blue coil, a Pertronix SVDA electronic distributor (#PER-D186504) and a 34 PICT 3 carb. My pulley has 3 notches, which I believe are TDC, 7.5, and 10?

Valves at .006 at TDC then going CCW 180 for each valve. Distributor set a TDC static. Carb screws both set at all in then out 2.5 turns. Did not mess with the idle cam/screw.

Questions:
Am I correct so far? What should I be timing the distributor for with a timing gun? and at what RPM?

Any tips to get it running would be great, she is running with lack of power on 3rd and 4th gear, and exhaust is way too hot, although oil is cool.

Thanks

[carcrazed]

Sounds like you are running too lean and/or the timing is retarded too much. You are on the right track. Advance the time a little more. Make sure you have your vacuum advance blocked off when tuning (if it has one). The timing should be about 7.5 btdc at idle. Rev the engine to about 2000 rpm and it should advance (can't remember the number off the top of my head). Next...turn your mixture screws out 1/2 turn at a time until the engine starts to load down. turn them in 1/2 turn in and that is it. Go from there.
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1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles

"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong."

[67rustavenger]

Disconnect the dist. vacuum line from the carb and plug the carb nipple.
Start the engine let it warm up.
Using a timing light. Rev the engine until the dist advance stops advancing, should be around 3K RPM. Ideally set your timing between 28-30° advanced.
When the RPM drops back to idle. Read the timing again with the light. That's your new idle timing.
Reconnect the vacuum line to the carb.

After timing the engine. Now go after the carb tune as described in the post above.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
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There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
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[rcooled]

[mmunoz]

Thanks so much for the replies! I appreciate it. I am also going to try the pencil method to make sure TDC is correct with my assumption of the marks on the pulley.

[Cusser]

[mmunoz]

Thanks for the info on the straw! Will do.

[mukluk]

Use your pulley marks to find TDC.

If you're not sure what your pulley marks are, pull the crankshaft pulley bolt out and look at where the slot for the woodruff key is located. This is always at 90° to a TDC. For TDC of 1&3 it will be 90° to the left (nine o'clock), and for TDC of 2&4 it will be 90° to the right (three o'clock).

Stop sticking items other than spark plugs into the spark plug holes, especially pencils.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9858590&highlight=#9858590
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[mmunoz]

Thanks my pulley looks exactly like that but no dent dimple thing.

[mukluk]

If there is no dimple/dent on the lip closest to the rear of the car, then the leftmost of the three notches will be TDC for #1 and 3 cylinders.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5479145&highlight=#5479145
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"