TheSamba.com :: View topic - TDC is correct but rotor isnt pointing at No 1. Cylinder...?

Sat May 11, 2013 4:05 pm

I've recently pulled my engine as I've been fitting a new wiring loom and wanted the blank canvas to work on at the rear end. However, I've put this engine back in and am conducting the setup and I'm a little puzzled.

I've gone to double check TDC as I never trust the pulley so I used the old spark plug thats drilled out and has a bolt through it to double check by rotating the engine forwards and then backwards when its inserted into Number 1 and marking the centre spot on the pulley. (It is dead inline with the degreed pulley TDC spot on the fortunately)

However, when I pulled the dizzy cap at this point the rotor appears to be pointing towards the rear of the car...is it not meant to be pointing towards Number 1 cyclinder? Have I done something wrong here / is there a reason / is this a problem?

Plus, should the number 1 lead be in the dizzy cap where the rotor is pointing towards the rear of the car in that segment of the cap or should it be round at the nearest one to the number 1 cylinder at the far right hand point in the cap nearest to the fan shroud?

Heres a pic of where its all at currently:

P.s. I know there is allsorts not correctly placed at the moment as I put the engine back in the car pretty naked so I could enjoy the extra breathing space and so I've been building it back up since re-installing it.

Sat May 11, 2013 4:29 pm

it doesn't physically point to #1. There's a #1 mark on the distributor body that it points to. :roll:

Sat May 11, 2013 4:30 pm

Do you have a book to help you? If not, here is a pic from the gallery to help. The rotor doesn't point directly towards the #1 cylinder. There is plenty of info here on The Samba or You Boob that describes static timing with a test light. It's really easy. Based on your case serial number (late 67 - I'm assuming) adjust to 7.5 degrees BTDC.

Sat May 11, 2013 4:37 pm

So technically speaking the rotors location at TDC will change depending on the timing?

I do have a book although I just remember reading that when checking I'm firing on number one the rotor should roughly be pointing at number one when at TDC although mine is miles out from that as per the pic so I'm getting paranoid.

Sat May 11, 2013 4:45 pm

Your just confused a little. For example, with the cap off, rotate the pulley and watch how the rotor turns. Rotate the pulley to 7.5 degrees BTDC and you will see that your rotor is pointing in a slightly different direction. Remember that as the engine accelerates the ignition timing will change with the vacuum diaphragm mounted on the side of the distributor and will advance the timing like magic!

Sat May 11, 2013 5:01 pm

So should I have the leads inserted into the cap as demoted in the order of the picture you supplied with 4 and 1 being at the left and right rear and 2 and 3 being at the front right and front left?

My dizzy is timed correctly at TDC according to old volks home spec and a previous clarification thread I started a while ago to clear up where it should be timed and that subsequently concluded timing correct for my dizzy was TDC 0 deg.

Sat May 11, 2013 5:22 pm

Yup....see that German word on your case, (Firing) Zundfolge 1 4 3 2.
As the rotor sparks inside the cap, the ignition spark will need to travel to the correct cylinder of course. 1 to 1, 4 to 4, etc. Hope that makes sense.

Sat May 11, 2013 5:30 pm

:? LOT of confusion over NOTHING.

The dist drive gear has 12 teeth thus that many possible spots for #1 or #3.

FORGET the book and where it says #1 is supposed to be pointing....it's NOTHING to fret over.

Bring the pully to TDC.

The rotor will be at #1 or #3 PERIOD....location dependent on the drive gear installation .

Turn the dist so the #1 cap/wire is directly over the rotor.

Follow the sequence 1-4-3-2.

Try to start. It will RUN NICE or POP out the Carb or exhaust,,,,in that case exchange #1/3 and #2/4....retry to start.

(VW mechanic/engine builder/parts house owner of 28 yrs)

Sat May 11, 2013 5:36 pm

It also depends on the distributor.#1 is not always in the same place.

Sat May 11, 2013 5:51 pm

Glenn wrote: it doesn't physically point to #1. There's a #1 mark on the distributor body that it points to. :roll:

I find that nothing says "I am here to help" like an eye roll at the end of a comment. The man had a question. Is that not part of what these forums are for?

Sat May 11, 2013 10:24 pm

Thanks guys for your help...I'll crack on and see how I fair

Sat May 11, 2013 11:10 pm

Here's a link to a popular video that explains setting your timing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulQmKU2weyI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sun May 12, 2013 6:35 am

Basically, whoever assembled you engine last didn't get the distributor drive gear in the exact correct spot. It won't make a difference how the engine runs so don't worry about it.