Timing Woes, I am certain that I am making this more difficult than necessary Options

[ctc911ctc]

All,

So, I have done this only once before on a VW in '72. SO I am really new at this.

With my '74 2.0L that I am currently working on I am having a great deal of difficulty having certainty as to the timing.

I read and re-read the Birdboard entry on this. Did not disconnect the vacuum first time and now since I know better I thought I would try again.

I used the template to mark the fan at 2.x inches to the left (as viewed from behind the car) of the TDC mark (which is a CIRCLE on this fan) and I found a small notch at the 2.x mark - I marked the blades on either side of this mark with White out to assist in finding it while it is moving.

Warmed up the car and set the timing light to 0-degrees advance. Started the car (vacuum removed and plugged) and started to look at the advance. At idle (still chasing this, cannot get it below 1100/1200) the advance 27deg timing mark is very close to the NOTCH. At higher RPMS the 27deg mark is not close to the notch.

The car is running good - though I am chasing two issues.
1. Running very rich, I may still have a vacuum leak, have replaced near everything with exception of plenum and the connecting gaskets to the intake (next on the list)
2. Idle too fast - Throttle body set screw is in all of the way, too much bypass, need to find the leak. Most likely this is part of the #1

So here are my timing Questions:

1. In the chart below, is there correlation between cars (year/engine) and distributor numbers? Kinda weird that it was put into the Birdboard instructions on this topic with no references to it.

2. If I set the dwell angle on my timing light to the degrees of each of the RPM's might it be easier to find which way I need to go advance? retard? or do we just 'play with it'

3. Is it common to get shocked by the plug wires (they are new) while adjusting this thing while running? BZZZZIP (need an electrocuted emoticon here)

Many Thanks in Advance: Love this Board; CTC911CTC

[jcd914]

You should not be getting zapped by the plug wires.

If you marked the fan correctly and your mark shows up at idle the timing is too far advanced. Hold the engine RPM at 3000 and adjust timing so your mark lines up.
Turn the distributor body clockwise to retard the timing and counter clockwise to advance it.
Don't worry about the timing at all the different RPM listed in the chart unless you have so running issue you think are due to poor time at a specific RPM.

When your timing is correct you can start working on the idle and fuel mixture.
Too advanced timing will push idle speed up.

How are you measuring mixture to determine it is too rich?
Incomplete combustion can smell very rich when it is actually not overly rich but not burning the fuel for some other reason.

Good luck
Jim

[ctc911ctc]

Jim,

Using your advice I was able to get the timing set correctly - the distributor was 10-15 degrees too advanced. THANK YOU,

Also, did not get zapped!

The idle came down to 500 from 1200/1400 but the car is still WAY too rich. Next stop I will work on the vacuum leaks (manifold - intake- gaskets) and then inspect the plenum.

If that does not work, I will check the injectors again - I had them setup by a local injector-pro called Hurst Injectors, really good guy with years of Bosch experience.

Any ideas are welcome!

Respectfully,
CTC911CTC

You should not be getting zapped by the plug wires.

If you marked the fan correctly and your mark shows up at idle the timing is too far advanced. Hold the engine RPM at 3000 and adjust timing so your mark lines up.
Turn the distributor body clockwise to retard the timing and counter clockwise to advance it.
Don't worry about the timing at all the different RPM listed in the chart unless you have so running issue you think are due to poor time at a specific RPM.

When your timing is correct you can start working on the idle and fuel mixture.
Too advanced timing will push idle speed up.

How are you measuring mixture to determine it is too rich?
Incomplete combustion can smell very rich when it is actually not overly rich but not burning the fuel for some other reason.

Good luck
Jim