set electronic ignition

[Merl]

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]

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.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[Dale M.]

"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
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...