While pressing in on the generator belt, The motor can be rotated with 13/16" socket. (# 1)
Rotate the motor clockwise from this view.
The first timing mark that come up
(# 3) will be Before Top Dead
Center.
Then the T.D.C. mark (# 4) will come up next. ( to the left
of timing marks ) Not all pulleys have the T.D.C. mark.
*Click
<--here for Pulley markings.
---( 27 degrees is about 1 5/8" to the right of the TDC
mark and 31 degrees is about 1 7/8" to
the right of the TDC mark on the stock 7" dia pulley )
--- But this is not the way to get these figures
and all VW pulleys are not the same.
Now would be a good time to get a degree pulley or one
that has been marked with TDC, BDC, or at least 27' & 31' if using the Bosch 009 distributor.
Now with the T.D.C. mark (# 4) lined up with the
center-line of case (# 2), and with the rotor (bug) pointing
behind the right rear wheel
( as shown in the photo ) and lined up with the (# 5) & (# 9) mark on the top edge of the distributor body,
your engine will be on Top dead center, On compression, On number one cylinder. ( Number one
cylinder is the front right ) This is also the starting point when setting the valves.
Inspect the point contacts (# 8) ( they should be smooth and shiny ) Points that have a crater on one
side and a tit built up on the other side indicate the condenser should be changed.
Don't waste you
money on a new condenser if both sides are burnt the same.
Always make sure the points are clean ( wipe new points clean after setting gap to .016" )
Never spread the points more the 1/8" or the spring may be damaged.
Apply a small amount of high temperature point lube to the point cam and a drop of oil to the felt under
the rotor.
A test lamp or continuity tester will be needed if you time the stock distributor statically. Remember that
the ignition fires when the points open, not when they close.
When using a timing light you must pull the vacuum line from the distributor and plug the line.
Before starting the engine slightly loosen the distributor clamp with a 10mm socket.
With the timing light pick-up, connected to the number one plug wire ( front right side ) start the engine
and aim the timing light at the case parting line (# 2) and rotate the distributor body until the correct
timing mark lines up with the case parting line.
Stop the engine and tighten the distributor clamp nut. ( Not to tight or the clamp will warp, lifting the
distributor up.) Always check this clamp to insure it is perfectly flat.
Start the motor and recheck the timing just to make sure it did not move when the clamp was
snugged
down.
When using the stock distributor, make sure you are using the correct crank pulley for your distributor
and the correct timing marks. Never assume the distributor and crank pulley are a matched set.
If your stock distributor is getting old an worn, or if the vacuum advance is not working up to par we
recommend replacing it with the Bosch 009 distributor.
If you have replaced your points with one of the electronic module kits then you have set the timing for
the last time. Only when the quality of our gas changes drastically will you need to re-time your motor.
Let's hope that's not in the near future.
More on timing-->*Click
Part numbers for Bosch Distributors, Points, Caps etc.->*Click
* CLICK HERE *
<-for E-Mail Questions with Answers on "Rotor
pointed wrong direction"
Go Back
Victor Comp. Products Inc. **--Vic's--**
Phone 816-650-3535 • 230 S Hudson St., Buckner, Missouri, 64016, US