Timing mess and more, '73 1.7 w/ FI Options

[EJP914]

Trying to static time my car with 12v test light after removing the distributor to install new condenser.

Reading from a bunch of online sources...
Found what i think is TDC. White mark on fan. Align with notch.
Connect light to neg side of coil. Other end to ground. Turn on the ignition.
Supposed to rotate the distrib counterclockwise until light goes out. Then clockwise until light just comes on. Tighten the bolt.

Turned the distrib counterclockwise as far as it would go. Light never went out. But any slight turn clockwise, the light would go out. Turned it counterclock a touch until light came on.
Tightened the bolt.

This seems to be the exact opposite of the instructions???? What did I do wrong?

Car did start but it idled really high at around 2500 rpm. I had no vacuum leaks last Fall so turned the idle adjustment screw in and in and it finally bottomed out. A few seconds later I got huge amount of smoke from the tailpipe. Shut the car off. I have since turned the idle screw back out a few turns.

No idea where all the smoke came from, but I am very concerned I may have damaged the engine with the maladjusted timing and the idle /smoke issue.

Could someone please tell me what I did wrong, if any damage could have resulted from my stupidity, and how to correct the mess I have. Last resort, haul it to local Porsche shop.

Sorry for the length of this and thanks for replies.
Ed

[Superhawk996]

Found what i think is TDC.

I’ll apologize in advance for being very blunt.

Setting timing isn’t a guessing game. Before attempting to set static timing there should be zero doubt in your mind that the engine is at TDC of cylinder #1 on the compression stroke.

If in doubt that needs to be verified by checking the piston position and that both valves are closed. This means pulling the valve cover to verify valve positions. No guessing.

Depending on a marking on the fan that you aren’t sure about is a bad plan.

Fans get changed between engines all the time. Some fans have a 0 mark for TDC. Other T4 applications have no marks on the aluminum fan at all. 1.8L engines have a mark at 7.5 degrees. If you happened to have an 1.8L fan on your 1.7L and assume that 7.5 mark was TDC static timing will definitely not be TDC but also shouldn’t cause the 2500 rpm idle you mention. Not saying this is the case but laying out for you why you can’t depend blindly on the fan markings. These are 50 year old cars and lots of them have the wrong parts on them.

Highly unlikely you’ve done any damage.

Start over. Verify that you are indeed starting at #1 TDC on the compression stroke.

[emerygt350]

Since the idle went to 2500, it's pretty much a given that you are too advanced with what you did.

Before you do anything else, double check that the distributor is seated correctly in the slot. The slot is 'one way only' but if you did not get it aligned correctly the pressure will let it spin but not be correctly inserted.

If I were you, and you didn't want to pull a valve cover...
Since you didn't tear down the engine to replace the condenser you should be able to just point the dizzy towards the correct spot (a little behind the drivers back) and go from there. I assume you have timed the car before. Also, you don't really need to rev it up to 3000 to get a basic timing established. Just set it to 7 at idle with all the advance/retard disconnected. Make sure everything is ok and then do your all in timing at high rpms.

[Shivers]

Another is to loosen the #1 plug but don’t take it out.
when on the compression stroke it will hiss at you. Air will be trying to escape through the threads.