timing issue

[msnow34]

i can't get the timing dialed in on my 1959 bug motor. I've got a vju4br8 dist with the vacuum advance on the outside, i can only turn it so far before it hits the fuel pump. The light stays on when static timing. It runs but has some backfire

[Glenn]

If your limited in rotation, then your distributor drive shaft is off a few teeth.
_________________
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

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[Pruneman99]

Either you have the sparkplug wires on the wrong posts, or the distributor drive cog is indexed incorrectly.

[mukluk]

[msnow34]

I'm going to guess that the issue is the distributer cog is off the shaft. How do I check this and remediate? The car runs but misfires on occassion.
If i turn the flywheel i can get the static light to turn off. Wires are correct, and turning it isn't the issue the vacuum advance limits me turning the distributor any farther in either direction clockwise or counter. It does seem to turn a pretty good bit.

[jaket3]

You could just move the wires around so the canister is free to move a bit more?

Only issue here is if you have a distributor retarded spark on number 3 cylinder.
That only works as it should with the factory distributor drive gear done correctly and number 1 timed with the rotor pointing at the notch on the edge of the distributor.

You could check that with a timing light, comparing results of spark timing on number 1 wire, then number 3 wire and see if timing is different between 1 and 3. Since they would use the same crank pully mark it is easy to do.

[msnow34]

its got nothing to do with the wires, i can turn it all the way clockwise until the vacuum hits the fuel pump on the drivers side or counter clockwise until it hits the belt.

[Pruneman99]