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timing with test light

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M

mightymidget

Jedi Knight
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When I messed with VW Bugs I always set the timing by placing crankshaft pulley at the timing mark. Then I took a test light and hooked to the points so when I twisted the distrubtor the light would come on and timing was set. then I would tighten dist down and put the cap on and it was timed properly.

Anyone time there engines like this. if so where do you set your crank pulley for a 1275? I don't have a timing light.

I want to go through my ignition systems real good before I take weber apart. so I know it will be right once I go through the weber and put it back on.

It has been 30 years since I did this so I hope I am remembering properly
 
Sure. That's static timing.

As a general starting point, setting the marks to 8 BTDC is OK. However, you can keep moving that forward until you make the engine ping when under load (like accelerating uphill in too high a gear). Once you hear pinging, back the timing off a couple of degrees and repeat your load test. When you've advanced the timing as far forward as possible without hearing pinging and spark knock you have found the maximum advance your engine can tolerate for its state of build and the fuel you use.
 
I recommend you set the timing by vacuum gauge, rather than ear.. As we get older we lose the upper ranges of hearing, and when you hear "pinking" it has already been occurring for awhile..

Should be several threads on how to set your timing. So a search might help. A brief recap

Hook up a vacuum gauge to manifold vacuum(tee in to the brake booster hose, if nothing else), with a warm engine adjust your timing to the highes setting, need to keep lowering your idle speed as it will increase as the timing is advanced. Then retard the timing 2 inches of vacuum..

Probably wind up somewhere in the area of 17-19 inches of vacuum, if cam is stock..
 
I caught that too, he must have one of those luxury English Coaches.
Thanks for advice on vacuum method I have used that. but my carb is not up to its prime right know so I am setting everything without motor running so I will have car in specs. Outside chance it may solve carb problems along the way
 
I went to static time my 1275 today but I found that there is no pointer (pass side)on the engine. Is it missing a pointer or is the another reference to time off of. I saw the TDC line on the crankshaft pulley
 
It might be missing, but, it should be on the bottom of the engine.
 
Jeff at Advanced Distributors sells a timing kit for the Spridget. It's a degree marked tape scale for the front pulley and a pointer that bolts to the timing cover. If you don't find the timing marks on your engine Jeff's kit would be an easy fix.
 
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