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Engine and clutch (stock)/Static ignition timing
From Motorious
Overview
| Model years: 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 |
| Model: Volkswagen Beetle / Super Beetle convertible and sedan (also known as: VW Super Beetle, SuperBeetle, Bug, Type 1, Type I, Coccinelle, Vocho, Kaefer, Käfer) |
Difficulty: 3
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| Time required: 10 minutes |
Tools:
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Parts:
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Ignition timing can be defined as the degree of crankshaft rotation at which the spark is "triggered". This is accomplished by having an adjustable rotating trigger (in the case of the Air Cooled VW, a set of breaker points) and a four lobed distributor cam which opens and closes those points. The instant that the points "open" or "break contact" is the instant that the spark from the coil is "triggered" and sent to the spark plug.
The adjustment of this timing is accomplished by rotating the distributor body and thus the ignition breaker points around the distributor cam which is in constant and fixed mesh with the crankshaft. This makes the points open earlier or later relative to the position of the engine as it rotates.
Measuring the exact moment of ignition is accomplished by various means, each of which determines the position at which the ignition breaker points open or break contact.
Preparation
- Mark the crankshaft pulley as described in crankshaft pulley marking.
- Determine the correct timing setting for your engine.
Step 1: Remove the distributor cap.
Use the screwdriver to carefully pry off the two retaining clips which secure the distributor cap. Leave the wires connected, but move the distributor cap out of the way. |
Step 2: Rotate the engine clockwise to TDC.
Attach a wrench to the generator / alternator pulley nut. Rotate the wrench (and consequently the engine via the generator / alternator belt) clockwise until the distributor rotor points to the small notch on the edge of the distributor body. The mark on the distributor indicates where cylinder #1 fires, which is near the top of its stroke. |
Step 3: Connect the test light.
Connect one lead of the test light to the ignition coil Terminal 1 ( - ) (leaving any other wires in place). Terminal 15 is usually the one closest to the carburetor (although your coil may be installed backwards); it should be marked on the coil and one of the wires from it should be connected to the automatic choke unit on the carburetor. The other lead from the test light should be connected to ground.
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Step 4: With the ignition on, find the angle of rotation where the light turns on.
Rotate the engine backwards (counter-clockwise) 90° degrees (1/4 turn). Turn the ignition on with the key (without starting the engine), then rotate the engine forward (clockwise) slowly until the test light comes on. |
Step 5: Check the angle on the crankshaft pulley.
Check to see where the crankshaft pulley has stopped. If the static timing is correct, the correct timing mark on the pulley will be aligned with the split in the crankcase. |
Step 6: If the static timing is not correct, prepare to adjust it.
Step 7: Rotate the engine clockwise to TDC (repeat step 2).
Attach a wrench to the generator / alternator pulley nut. Rotate the wrench (and consequently the engine via the generator / alternator belt) clockwise until the distributor rotor points to the small notch on the edge of the distributor body. The mark on the distributor indicates where cylinder #1 fires, which is near the top of its stroke. |
Step 8: Loosen the distributor clamp to free the distributor to rotate in the case.
Use the socket wrench to loosen the bolt on the distributor clamp. The clamp only needs to be slightly loosened (i.e. nothing removed) in order to allow the distributor to be rotated by hand. |
Step 9: Rotate the engine clockwise to the desired timing mark.
Align the desired timing mark on the crankshaft pulley with the split in the crankcase. Remember to always approach the timing mark while turning the engine in a clockwise direction. |
Step 10: Rotate the distributor body clockwise 90 degrees (1/4 turn).
Clockwise here assumes you are looking down on top of the distributor. |
Step 11: Turn the ignition to the "on" position.
Step 12: Turn the distributor counter-clockwise slowly until the test light comes on.
Counter-clockwise here assumes you are looking down on top of the distributor. The light will come on when the cam follower on the points reaches a point low enough on the lobe such that the points close. |
Step 13: Tighten the distributor clamp.
Step 14: Recheck the adjustment.
With the distributor secured, turn the crankshaft pulley backwards (counter-clockwise) 90 degrees (1/4 turn), the light should go out. Then slowly turn the pulley clockwise (engine running direction) until the light comes back on. The light should come on when the desired timing mark is at the split in the crankcase. |
Cleanup / next steps
Reinstall the distributor cap.
Related links
About this article
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