Pic Request : Rotor while engine is well timed (27deg BTDC) Options

[Literati914]

I'm hoping someone can snap a picture of the distributor with it's cap off - to show where the Rotor is pointing while the engine is actually timed to 27 degrees (the normal factory timing over all the 914 typeIV engines, I believe).

No adjustments would be needed on your end of course - BUT to make the picture usable it would require the photographer to rotate his/her engine to the initial timing "0" degree mark on the compression stroke with the engine off. (your car stays timed at 27 of course)

Why do I need this? - because I'd like to get the rotor in the ball-park before my assistant (w/ very limited experience) tries to maintain 3500rpm with my somewhat sticky throttle (to address soon).

So, may be kind of a hassle but I'd think it could also help others trying to time their engines for the first time too. We know what the rotor looks like at TDC, but there are no pictures available like what I'm asking for (I looked but couldn't find). I'd appreciate it if someone could help please!

ps - if posting the pic is an issue, I can provide my phone# so you can text it to me and I'll post it. LMK

[Literati914]

..
The more I look at yours I think the dizzy drive is 180 +/- a tooth off

Thanks for the info, but I don't think I'm out 180. I mean the fan mark lines up while rotor faces #1 plug/wire.. and the car starts and runs pretty well.

Hmm, ok looking closer I see what you mean about the orientation of the drive as it currently sit. Thanks for pointing that out. How in the world though does the distributor line up correctly like that though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) seems like it would be sitting with the canister on the outside instead of where it's at (next to the oil fill tower)?

[Superhawk996]

Hmm, ok looking closer I see what you mean about the orientation of the drive as it currently sit. Thanks for pointing that out. How in the world though does the distributor line up correctly like that though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) seems like it would be sitting with the canister on the outside instead of where it's at (next to the oil fill tower)?

This is an age old question. It’s sort of a design flaw.

I believe VW intended for the asymmetry of the dizzy drive slot to prevent distributor body from being installed 180 out from dizzy drive but it still can happen.

What happens is the tangs on the bottom of the distributor can partially engage the drive even when 180 out. It will rotate the distributor rotor. What’s harder to notice is that the distributor body hasn’t fully seated. There are numerous threads here where people insist the distributor can’t be installed 180 out and later find out that it indeed was misinstalled .

Then add in the ease with which the dizzy drive itself can be mis indexed and it’s sort of a recipe for chaos if attention isn’t paid to the details.

I’ve learned all this the hard way long ago first hand.