Points faces smooth and unpitted ?

Slop in the distributor shaft or points mounting plate ? (I know it's a new distributor but these days "new" doesn't always mean "works correctly"

Otherwise, I'd adjust by the dwell setting, then set the timing afterwards.

Check it again after a few miles and if it's still the same then leave it be.

Dave.

 

By new I assume you mean 'cheap reproduction'. I'd set the points and see how it drives.

Then I'd get a second hand stock SVDA and fit it with an ignition module from Accuspark, Pertronix or similar, they are all the same module anyway, then other than oiling the wick in the shaft I'd leave the dissy be.

 

I've done this and been pleased with the results.

 

The feeler gap is only ever an approximate settling, dwell angle is more accurate.

 

The recommended Dwell angle is what you are aiming for.
Manufacturers give Points gap settings, because they are just an indirect way of measuring dwell, with very simple tools.
The 'gap' is calculated for a 'known' distributor cam, (combination of profile, duration and lift). Aftermarket distributors may not have exactly the same shape cam as the VW original unit, so the original 'gap' measurement doesn't give the same dwell angle.
If you have the equipment to measure dwell, use it.

 

Shouldn't both the feeler reading and dwell reading compliment each other though.

Shouldn't both the feeler reading and dwell reading compliment each other though? If the dizzy is working properly.

 

So you don't think anything else is out of line from when I changed the distributor that's causing the discrepancy. Maybe I'll put the old dizzy back in (should have left it alone).

 

What is wrong with the old dissy? Or what made you change?

 

So, is the recommended Dwell angle 50 degrees +-2 degrees the same for every 1600 air-cooled engine?

 

I was having trouble starting her. She'd turn over but not start well. I'd tried everything else and thought I'd change the dizzy as a last resort. It didn't make any difference.

 

It turns out there was nothing wrong with it. I thought she might start better with a new one. I'd tried everything else and couldn't find anything that would improve starting. She turns over but a real pain to start.

 

I would be going back to basics and looking for decent spark at the plugs and proper air / fuel delivery .... without these then you will have starting troubles..

 

First, take the cap and rotor off. Next, loosen the screw that holds the points, just enough you can move it with a screwdriver. next, connect your dwell meter. Then have someone crank the engine. Set the dwell at 46 degs. Tighten the hold down screw, and get a test reading, 44 or 45 degs. are acceptable and the points will last longer as when it reaches 50 degs. it will be time for a change. Shoot the timing and at 3300 RPM set it at 31 degs. BTDC. You have a dwell meter so feelers are not needed.

 

Thanks ainokea I'll have a go at the points today. Can you elaborate on "Shoot the timing and at 3300 RPM set it at 31 degs." I don't understand it. My mechanic and notches on my pulley point to 5degrees ATDC. It's difficult to find confirmation online as to what it should be but last time my mechanic tuned her up she purred like a kitten. Just wish I could do it myself. However, she still guzzled fuel and I've been tinkering to try and work out why. I suspected the float in the carb wasn't working right and flooding the engine. I had a look and it seemed to float OK. However, after weighing the float it came in at 22grams where I'm told it should be 10grams. I have a new float now and once I get her tuned up I'll see if we get more than 18mpg! I know she runs super rich due to the heavy black soot coming out of the exhaust but I've found tuning the carb almost impossible. Anyway, points and timing first, then I'm on to the carb.

 

Here's a pic. Not sure which is part number.

 

The timing on that distributor at idle is 7.5 degrees BTDC with the vac hose disconnected and plugged.

 

Wow! How did you find that out?

I'm presuming BTDC is in a clock wise direction so the TDC chip on the back of the pulley would come after the timing mark on the front. Here's a pick of my pulley which has the TDC chip on the back before the timing chip. Which is why I thought it was 5ATDC. My mechanic re painted the mark too so I presumed it's right. I'm not saying your wrong, I just want to be sure.

Also, here's a pic of my new dissy. Can you tell me the timing for this please. Maybe I should put the old one back now that it's all cleaned up. What do you think?

I didn't realise timing was directly dependant on the dissy. Thought it was the engine number. I'm learning all the time.

Thanks in advance.

 

I googled the part number.

I would use the old one.

Those repro dissys time like a 009, so 30 - 32 degrees BTDC at 3,500 rpm.

What pics?

 

Here;s the pick of my pulley. Is this timing mark before or after TDC? How can I check if it's 5 or 7.5 without taking it off.

I think putting the old dizzy back and using this mark might be a good idea.

 

AAgh! I'm getting really confused. Is the notch in my pulley TDC or is it the mark painted on? If anybody can put me right it would be so much appreciated.

 

The painted mark is TDC. My guess would be that the notch is 7.5. Use this to check...

 

Take no. 1 plug out and feel for tdc with a long thin screwdriver and mark your pulley with a blob of paint. Then mark 30-32 degrees with a timing wheel and set your timing to this with a strobe at 3000+ rpm. Don't worry about static or timing at idle.

 

Daddy day care meant I didn't get to play this afternoon. Tomorrow morning I'll have the old dizzy back in and then it's points, timing, carb. I don't have a strobe light to set the timing but I'll get one. Can you tell me how you set the timing at 3500rpm using it?

 

This morning I got some time to work on the van. I put the old dizzy back in and set the dwell angle to 48.5 (near enough for now). And adjusted the timing to 7.5 BTDC as advised. Took her out for a spin and she ran and sounded great.

She even started a bit better but theres work to do there still.

Thanks for all your help.

 

Find TDC on the pulley. Set the timing light to 31 degs. With the engine running, raise the rpm's and shoot the timing. when it shows the TDC mark at 0 on the pulley, lock it down. Then check the timing is correct. At idle it should be around 10 to 12 degs. at 3300 RPM's no more than 32 degs.