Static Timing Check

Aussie Officially Full-On Dubber

296 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 18 Dec 2012, 9:47 am

#936077

I am going to do a static timing check on a '67 1500cc H series bug motor. My book says set to 0 Degrees (TDC) however I have been advised that with the hotter weather in this country it should be set to between 4 and 6 degrees BTDC.
Anyone have a differing opinion? Is it still wise to also check with a strobe light or will static timing get things close enough?

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 18 Dec 2012, 11:52 am

#936086

Timing really comes down to what the distributer is doing and where maximum advance is. So essentially a timing light is necessary because you can't be certain your destributer is working properly or is in fact the correct one for your engine. 0 deg for a 1500 doesn't sound right to me, I'll check my VW book and come back, but I'd first set to 7.5* as the most common spec.

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Aussie Officially Full-On Dubber

296 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 18 Dec 2012, 1:28 pm

#936097

matberry wrote:Timing really comes down to what the distributer is doing and where maximum advance is. So essentially a timing light is necessary because you can't be certain your destributer is working properly or is in fact the correct one for your engine. 0 deg for a 1500 doesn't sound right to me, I'll check my VW book and come back, but I'd first set to 7.5* as the most common spec.

Thanks Matt. I dont think my crank pulley is correct for the motor so I am assuming it will not have the correct timing marks on it (has two timing marks instead of either 1 or 3). Will locate TDC manually and then measure back to find 7.5* BTDC.

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Dec 2012, 3:25 pm

#936106

Hi

I'm pretty sure your dizzy would only have vacuum advance, the only 1500 that both centrifugal and vacuum was the semi auto which did need to be set at 0.

After all these years your going to have to find which model your dizzy is and set the timing to suit that model dizzy.

Steve

Aussie Officially Full-On Dubber

296 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 18 Dec 2012, 7:52 pm

#936150

Thanks for the feedback. Looked on the dizzy and confirmed that it is the original one to that motor. Bosch Number 0231 137 009, VW Number 113 905 205K. Revisited my book and looks like (as suggested) 7.5* BTDC is the go. 🙅 Cheers.

13bwagon Officially Full-On Dubber

316 posts · joined Nov 2006 · 19 Dec 2012, 11:44 am

#936229

yeah it's always good to cheak it with a light to make sure

BUY A REAL BUG A PRE S BUG...

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 19 Dec 2012, 7:20 pm

#936284

should be 7.5 static

then work from there depending on 9 million other variables

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

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Aussie Officially Full-On Dubber

296 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 23 Dec 2012, 1:25 pm

#936727

I have had a bit of a play around with the timing to see how things are going. Previously it seems the timing was set at around 13*BTDC. I then changed this to the suggested 7.5*BTDC.

It seems that the engine prefers a bit more advance as on the 7.5* setting it didnt start as well and had a very noticable flat spot when driving. Acceleration also felt down. I tried a number of other settings with similiar results.

Changed back to the original 13* BTDC setting and the motor starts well (both hot and cold), accelerates well and minimises the flat spot that was noticable at the other settings.

If the motor appears to run best with 13* is there any issue with running with that?

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Dec 2012, 3:13 pm

#936733

as long as it doesnt "ping" under load I wouldnt worry too much

Futue te ipsum!!!

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Dec 2012, 3:47 pm

#936738

Hi

Too much advance is like crack to crack addict.

Is your vacuum advance working OK?

Steve

Aussie Officially Full-On Dubber

296 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 23 Dec 2012, 4:14 pm

#936740

1303Steve wrote:Hi

Too much advance is like crack to crack addict.

Is your vacuum advance working OK?

Steve

As far as I know it is. Is there a proper test to check this?

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Dec 2012, 8:14 pm

#936777

Hi

The only way to check is to suck on the diaphragm via a NEW tube and see if the base plate moves all the way and also block the tube with your tongue to see if it holds vacuum.

Steve