Tuning... Timing... What are they ?

47 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 10 May 2004, 9:40 pm

#172274

I'm interested to find out the basics of "tuning" and "timing", not so much in the technical sense, but enough to understand what my mechanic is trying to communicate to me :P

Will a kind soul please point me to the right discussion thread in this forum (if there are existing discussion(s) already), or websites / books / magazines I can read up on ?

ps: my attempt to digest information relating to these topics covered in the book of "How to Keep your VW Alive" (17th Ed, apparently written for idiots), made no sense to me at all
:cry

killakornkobb where's that clutch?

1,663 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 10 May 2004, 10:06 pm

#172295

i would also be interested in such information! :alien

🙂

---Damien

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 10 May 2004, 10:17 pm

#172308

extensiblecow wrote:ps: my attempt to digest information relating to these topics covered in the book of "How to Keep your VW Alive" (17th Ed, apparently written for idiots), made no sense to me at all
:cry

Not being nasty, but if this book didn't help, find a good mechanic (you may already have one) and just let them do the work. Don't ask questions just pay and pick up your car 😉

Some people are not suited to mechanical work and that is fine.

extensiblecow Casual Dubber

47 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 10 May 2004, 10:31 pm

#172323

Craig Torrens wrote:Not being nasty, but if this book didn't help, find a good mechanic (you may already have one) and just let them do the work. Don't ask questions just pay and pick up your car 😉

Some people are not suited to mechanical work and that is fine.

Oh, no... no... I didn't mean to question the mechanic (no questioning about the expertise and knowledge at all !). And didn't mean to want to give the mechanical work a go - definitely leaving all minor and major works to the experts !

I felt bad that when someone tried so hard to explain to me about something, at the least, I should read up on the basics. I'm sure any mechanic will appreciate a owner who cares about what they are trying to communicate - and do their fair bit of the homework 😉

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 10 May 2004, 10:55 pm

#172336

probably best to team up with someone on a weekend and have a "show and tell". You will learn a lot if someone can show you the basics, you can then ask questions to clarify, and then you can "perform the task" to learn the skills. This would be best using your vehicle.

Just need to find someone who lives close to you !

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 11 May 2004, 9:36 pm

#172782

Another reading option is to go to Rob's site. Rob (aka Aussiebug) is too busy to post these days unfortunately but his site is one of the best and easy to understand.

http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

There is a good easy to understand tune up section

By the way.... what bug did you end up buying???

The red one???

Have a read .... and ask more questions

TTFN

Barry

Futue te ipsum!!!

extensiblecow Casual Dubber

47 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 11 May 2004, 9:39 pm

#172785

Thanks Berry, for the website !

Will make sure I read and ask questions 😀

ps: no... didn't get the red one instead. Got a blue one :P

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 May 2004, 9:58 am

#174095

Yes, I agree with Craig, its going to be a lot easier asking questions about Your engine while someone can point and tell You what this & that does...
I tried to write down how to time & tune a Beetle engine for a New Beetle owner and send it by email... but its VERY difficult to even write down how to operate a timing light when they haven't seen one... and You have to explain EVERYTHING... ie. unbolt the distributor - which is a metal thing with a brown cap , that all the spark plug leads come ou of.. etc.. I'm NOT complaining... its just very difficult and a very long drawn out process, that would only take a few minutes face to face... Its much better to find someone who lives close by or Join a VW club and go meet a few members. There is always someone who can describe in plain english what Tuning and timing are all about... Its MUCH easier to explain when the person You are talking to, knows the basics... like what the Distributor, coil , points,condensor etc look like..
When first starting out, it took Me many years before I was "game" enough to attack My engine with a timing lamp & feeler gauges... and I knew what everything was....
I have 10 different repair Manuals plus a few VW handbooks, and none actually explain exactly How to Time the engine...
otherwise I would just scan it & send it... I must apologise though... I don't have the late John Muirs idiot Book... I have read it but I didn't like it... but Many Aussie Vee Dubbers have it under their seat.... it will help You get out of trouble.
Best of Luck extensiblecow...
if I find anything, I'll email it to You..
I am on many VW forums around the world including Canada & Finland... [not many overheating problems there!!]

Lee Noonan

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---