Timing question - plugging the vacuum advance hose Options

[john_g]

I have only had experience using John Muir's static timing method with VW's, so am not used to the strobe light procedure for the 914. So, I have a number of questions:

1) To get a starting point, using a static timing light or voltmeter, what's the static timing mark to use with a '74 2.0 engine - 5º or 7.5º?

2) Before using the strobe light, some instructions say to remove the vacuum hose from the distributor, others say to remove AND plug it with something. What's correct? And, if I plug it, do I plug the hose end or the connector to the distributor, or both? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Thanks.

[Dave_Darling]

We're talking specifically about D-jetronic fuel injection. Carbs are a different beast.

On the original injected motors, there was a vacuum dashpot on the side of the distributor. Most 914s had two hoses connected to the dashpot; one vacuum retard line that went from the fitting pointing toward the distributor body to the throttle body after the throttle plate, and the other a vacuum advance line that went from the fitting pointing away from the distributor body to the throttle body before the throttle plate.

Carbs usually don't have the fittings for either of those. And more often than not, the distributors are replaced when carb conversion is done so that the distributors don't have the vacuum dashpot either. So don't worry about them.

--DD