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Static Timing Check
Aussie - December 18th, 2012 at 09:47 AM

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 - December 18th, 2012 at 11:52 AM

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.

Aussie - December 18th, 2012 at 01:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by matberry
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 - December 18th, 2012 at 03:25 PM

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 - December 18th, 2012 at 07:52 PM

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. :no: Cheers.

13bwagon - December 19th, 2012 at 11:44 AM

yeah it's always good to cheak it with a light to make sure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulQmKU2weyI 

vw54 - December 19th, 2012 at 07:20 PM

should be 7.5 static

then work from there depending on 9 million other variables

Aussie - December 23rd, 2012 at 01:25 PM

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 - December 23rd, 2012 at 03:13 PM

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

1303Steve - December 23rd, 2012 at 03:47 PM

Hi

Too much advance is like crack to crack addict.

Is your vacuum advance working OK?

Steve

Aussie - December 23rd, 2012 at 04:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 1303Steve
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 - December 23rd, 2012 at 08:14 PM

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