Classic VW Beetle Bug Ghia Bus How to Time Set Volkswagen Engine Timing

www.ClassicVWbugs.com
In this short Video I show how to time your old school VW engine with a small test tight.
Chris

[@davepeters5258]

Chris Valone is the MAN! His videos are the absolute best for us "newbies" who don't really know everything yet. He makes things easy for us to understand and follow. Thanks Chris!!!

[@classicvwbugs]

thank you so much!

[@SuperStraffe]

Just restoring the 66 bug I drove in High School back in the early 90's for my sophomore son. You're videos are invaluable! Thank you for making them.

[@jeffmagill7457]

No more dying at idle! You’re an amazing teacher man thank you so much

[@1982robby]

Thank you for all your contributions to the veedub community. Your how-to videos are a big help in keeping my bug alive!

[@classicvwbugs]

So nice of you

[@arielshtern4125]

I'm able to keep my bug as a daily driver thanks to your videos. Other channels use highliy professional tools that cost too much for a feller to keep at home. You keep things simple and reasonable for the common folk

[@jesusVSsanta]

Great video. This has to be the best video for setting the timing on KZbin... After at least a dozen others, you covered all the details that I needed. thanks!

[@jahmon619]

Worked like magic! OH how I needed You And KZbin 30 years ago! Thanks!

[@ironclaw911]

Thanks again Chris. Never knew that could be done. Thanks for all the time you put into the art.

[@philiphoward1044]

Chris you info is invaluable for a VW newbie like me who ain't too SMRT! THANKS FELLA Phil

[@Vafees1]

I really appreciate your videos......They are very helpful.....My 1956 with an 1835 runs great thanks to you sharing your knowledge.........Thanks Chris

[@andyroo3022]

Thanks Chris, My alternator post band clamp snapped and the old alternator moved and threw the belt. The engine got pretty hot as a result of the fan not spinning. I don't think I did any major damage. The engine is a just run in Stan Pobjoy 1600, Stan machined out to 1916cc. Twin port heads, machined cam and dual Kadron carbs with a sidewinder exhaust. It starts and runs now although it is now popping and idling rough. The plugs were pretty bad and number 4 plug lead broke when I removed it, it was cooked. I changed the oil, I put new spark plugs, new ignition leads and a new alternator. I have re wired to an internal regulator type. I noticed that the rotor button is nowhere near number 1 now on my 009 dizzy. All new parts now fitted, I will re tune tomorrow and cross my fingers. Thanks for the well explained easy to do tune. My expertise is more body and paintwork.

[@mysticfries2722]

I'm only 16 and wanting to fix up an old bug. I have very little mechanical experience, but your videos are so kiss.

[@johncollins5552]

Great car to start young , buy a good manual, Haynes or idiots guide... Start by keeping things stock spec. Aim to use the best quality parts from Germany by Bosch for electric and ignition parts, SachsBoges for clutch and shocks, Michelin Tyres , not cheap but the best, remember your life depends on them when on the freeway, on a cold,dark,wet night . That's when you will be glad not to have got the cheap chindian parts that won't last!

[@davidcornelius7841]

finally, cleaned and gaped the plugs and points. but using this timing method i nailed it. Its a great feeling with it starts and runs good, even drove it around the back yard. Thanks Chris for all the video!

[@classicvwbugs]

ah you are welcome my friend.

[@richardfrost6473]

Thanks Chris brilliant help you give . Details on how fix vw beetles is a valuable service for me and the other viewer's .

[@michael8190]

Important note: When rotating the crank pulley to set at your timing mark make sure you are rotating in the direction of rotation (clockwise) before stopping. If you go past your mark, back up the pulley an inch past your intended mark and then rotate clockwise again, then stop at your mark. This keeps all the gear clearance slack on the correct side (distributor drive to crank gear AND distributor drive to the bottom of the distributor itself).

[@w.patpeters4643]

I do that, good thinkin bro.

[@andyroo3022]

Good advice Michael, thanks,

[@DEATHWISHVQ]

Back up means to go back, going left (opposite of right meaning, going counter clockwise) so before your mark, but then you said past the mark which would be clockwise continuation. Did you mean?: if you got past your mark (clockwise), now turn counter clockwise, and stop at one inch before your make, now proceed to go clockwise

[@user-qz9yz6zp2k]

​@@DEATHWISHVQ8:09 F

[@Kbrusky15]

Just wanted to say thanks for this tip man! I just did it and it worked flawlessly.

[@richlijacanacua]

Thank you for the help we've got from you. Specifically for the value degree of timing marks.

[@juniorclassicvwbugs924]

Chris that an old school cool way to time the Car. Brings me back to when I was in collage and I use to drive my car with what I used to call the VW trip kit. My test light, a spare coil, belt and accelerator cable. 😀... l like this video very much.

[@juniorclassicvwbugs924]

Sorry typo ... when I was in college 😀😀

[@nitrosport5]

Great video, just used this and your valve video as a reference. Just bought a second vw sandrail and trying to get it all tuned up!

[@Gamepwn3]

Excellent video! Had all the info i need to clear up the confusion of why my pullee had 2 marks and not 3. Thank you!

[@user-fi7im1le3p]

You are wonderful my friend Chris I am always following you and follow the instructions from you to my cars thank you very much and wish you progress always

[@king5ley]

Your video was very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to do this for people like us

[@FPVandotherprojects]

Just saying thanks for all the good videos. Took mine for the first good drive last night and your videos were a big part of the process.

[@classicvwbugs]

Very cool 👍 thanks so much.

[@paulrosemond1442]

Thank you for this video, Chris. I'm getting the exact opposite problem where I'm not getting the light to turn on at all. I'm using an SVDA distributor with a Pertronix Electronic Ignition, and Pertronix coil. From what I can see, everything is connected correctly.

[@FunFun-tv7gq]

Thanks a lot. Very HELPFUL, my pulley has the front dimple and the 5.5 degrees ATDC and was NOT SURE what to do. THANKS A LOT AGAIN.

[@goodstuffbetterstuff7207]

As always... great instructions and in layman terms!! Thanks

[@nathanthreeleaf4534]

This really made this easy, thank you! I'd been struggling to figure out if my timing was off, resulting in me not being able to start my sandrail. Now that I have the timing correct and it still won't start, at least I can go on to try and address other potential issues.

[@DarlingBo-bannie]

Thank you. Wish you were here in Colorado Springs I would have you work on my van.

[@danreid2580]

Thank you for a great lesson no chatter no blah blah blah just to the point!

[@vibrantvitalityvibes7931]

Brilliant ! Just one thing was missing at the end, to start to engine and listen to it ! Thanks a million though !

[@ratty62beetle]

Mate brilliant video and very helpful and easy to understand

[@ivansego474]

you saved my nerves my money and my Bug; Master i am thankful for every detail you showed us.., 🙏

[@classicvwbugs]

wow thank you, those are some crazy words. Just here to help you guys! =)

[@wayneartist]

Nevermind, somehow it all worked out. I still used the check light as it blinked off while at TDC, and its never run better. I just needed to charge the battery and get fuel into the system. Thanks buddy, you saved me money and I had the pleasure of fixing it myself. That's what bugs are all about, right?

[@sanclementekid]

Also, after your timing light ignites tighten down the distributor, roll pulley counter-clockwise until light goes out. Then roll pulley clockwise and see specifically where the timing light ignites. This gives you an accurate place where ignition will happen.

[@NoBody420Psilocybin]

Ty Very much! First time working on my Bug. Much sucess to you. 🙏💚

[@mrukulele1934]

Thank you. This was extremely helpful!

[@johncollins5552]

Hi Chris,first-up I appreciate your effort to take time to put vw newbies on the right road and you come across as a stand-up guy. I live in Ireland and have a 1200 Standard Bug daily driver for 7 years.It is a 72 marina blue with matching numbers,running og engine at 88,000 miles I did a top-end rebuild last year,so-far so-good!I am surprised to see in your timing vid. that a 009 distributor is used seeing as the engine code is a D albeit an earlier one than mine and they run sweeter in stock form with a vacuum advance distributor.009 is for flat-out foot-to-floor driving not daily drivers,unless a twin-carb setup is used.Little tip use a stock ERNST exhaust and remove the baffles from the stock pea-shooter tailpipes for cheap extra pep!

[@theaquilaalba]

Thanks for mentioning the 'stubby' distributor - this is what I've got and was always slightly out.

[@locosporlosvolkys7640]

Great video Vallone!

[@luisfigueroa3933]

The only video that makes sence. Thank you!

[@aneyesky]

Dizzy? Lol. Another good video. I'm glad you said the part about the split in the block reference

[@capeman10]

It is 10 30PM Friday night and I watched this video, I know you must be tried of people thanking you, but thanks for sharing this is a big help.

[@classicvwbugs]

ah it is all good man, you are very welcome! =o)

[@train.sleep.eat.repeat5278]

Brilliant video!

[@classicvwbugs]

You have to be able to time it statically regardless. You have to make sure the timing light is on the neg side of the coil.

[@dirtyderyk]

amazing video thanks for sharing im going too try this later this week on my bug

[@veteranssuccess2157]

Thanks. I think this will work. I knocked the gas line off while playing with it earlier. I didn't realize I needed all those tools. Well I need a video on installing points.. We will see what happens.... lol! - Monica

[@bbysprite6044]

You're awesome dude. Perfect explanation.

[@classicvwbugs]

Thank you so much 👍

[@51d3w1nd312]

Thanks mate, solved my puzzle too!

[@jorgepaplos]

Ok that was ridiculously easy!!, thanks for sharing the super secret and "how to"...

[@joshbriggsDayZBeast]

Hey brilliant tutorial ill use this method when my '61 beetle is finished. I have a question, will this work on a water-cooled engine from a T25/Vanagon?

[@w.patpeters4643]

Turn the key off...yer makin me nervous. You have the best VW content. Is it a block, a case, a motor, an engine??? Who cares...it's a V - Dub.

[@erichansen9369]

Thank you.great info.

[@ismailgurgel]

Awesome! Thank you very much! I was wondering if there's anyway I can replace the engine bay seals without drooping the engine?

[@VolksStokes]

School of Vallone Works, Inc. 👍 Thx for clear instructions!

[@jasongadberry1016]

Holy shhh I have been chasing a misfire On the sandrail I’m restoring The video I watched said to time to TDC I’m wondering if that 7.5 degrees is where I’m going wrong and the test light trick is also something I haven’t tried So excited to try it tomorrow Thanks dude

[@adrielrowley]

Not hard to take a turn signal bulb and solder a couple wires with alligator clips on them, made one myself. Clipping the ground to the carburetor linkage sure does make it easier, thank you. 😃 Early cast iron distributor set to 7,5 degrees.

[@markbarry2315]

Hi Chris great footage, just one question I know you say you time your bugs at 7.5 degrees before top dead centre is it still the same with svda distributor on a 1600 dual port with 34 pict 3 set up? Thanks

[@marcosgomez7771]

My mind is blown!! 🤯🤯🤯

[@darwindyer4348]

Chris, thanks for this video, it was a big help on my first project car. I have a new one that I had do a complete replacement of the wiring loom. When I turn the key I get the two light in the speedo, but I don't get any light on my test light when doing this test. Other than recheck your connections, is there anything you can think of that I might need to do? I am really stumped at this point...

[@joeharrod8656]

Ht's all on right points now, timing it tomorrow, however getting different info for it, some say the usual 5 and 7.5BTDC however found something earlier saying 5ATDC, if you had any ideas on it that would be great as im not too used to working on bug engines! thanks again!

[@hecrorgames1207]

Hi Community, Excellent video and I put it into practice and it worked but my son accidentally replaced the battery and placed positive and negative backwards and I don't understand comkk ok I was able to start the car without problems at the time. It worked well for the first 2 days but today is the 3rd day and watching your video to check with the one lit by the lamp I placed the negative on the negative coil and without moving the distributor rotor I placed the peak of the lamp on the bottom dealer and turn on.

[@lockfordian]

great video

[@lexiaontube]

wow , that it's really useful , thx :)

[@JohnnyBoy1929]

@AMRIE21 If you look under his videos, he has two videos (part 1 and part 2) on how to adjust your valves. Good luck with the beetle!

[@jasonsmith8091]

Hey Chris I really appreciate your videos! I have a question if you could find the time? My question is I was trying to rewire my bug and I done away with the voltage regulator and put the alternator on instead of the generator, what does it mean when my switch is off and the light in the car stays on, I guess its getting double fed? Also my test light stays on when I turned the switch off on the distributer like your video. Could you please help me out! Thanks for the video and keep them coming!

[@stephenport4768]

Love it that's a wonderful little cheat

[@dornier2828]

good information thanks for the video

[@lillyblue1907]

Just checking to make sure if I have spark advance I set it straight up at 0 top dead center right? Thanks

[@smoke.tokes420]

ayyy 4 months later after getting motivation to work on my bug im back on this video lol

[@classicvwbugs]

Yeah you would time the same way with an electronic ignition. If you have way off readings from a static to a timing lights, could be the distributor. They should be the same.

[@greatescape7735]

Brilliant! I'll try it with mine

[@PSPHaCkErAOD]

on my 68 with vac adv my number 1 is the where urs with out it is, i followed my wire checked the valves to confirm and as part of the tune up im doin cause its running crappy at the moment. i when i do wat u do to adjust the timing i only get a quick flicker of the light, i doesnt stay on in any spot, so ibout another test light and get the same thing so i was guessing that thats the spot i want it for my timing?

[@saturnworld1840]

Thanks for the video. Do you know what the test lights are actually called?

[@bmwe30init]

Great video ! Any chance you or anyone knows If this still works with pertronix? Thanks

[@Nickyreynolds]

Hey Chris, I was wondering if this will work with a electronic ignition? Because it has a negative and positive wire connected to the coil.

[@Pulkkinen11]

great tutorial, does this method work with every bug? my parents got a -72 bug with vacuum advance distributor, does that make any difference with the settings?

[@jderossett78]

this video is great.. one question when i hook my light up it stays on it doesnt go off ever. what could that be . thank s

[@feardSS]

First of all very good video, I bought my wife a 74 Bus would it be the same setting as the bugs. And will this method work on the t4 porche engine. Im new to vw's so not very sure and trying to learn.

[@joeharrod8656]

Hi there, currently working on a 1973 1300 beetle, previous owner done majority of work, im just finishing her up. it has had a 1600cc unleaded conversion kit fitted, two twin 40mm solex carbs, Monza exhaust, bosch 009 distributor, tried to fire it up, backfired and almost set fire to right hand carb, my guess would be that the ignition timing is way out and needs adjusting, what would be your advice? Many thanks, and great video! Cheers, joe.

[@tomatexelon]

Hi, I have a few questions, Is the way your showing here the same point I would use if I was using a timing light. I checked mine today and its like 34 degrees BTDC, Why is mine so much different then yours? I am changing mine out to a electronic one instead of points and would I time it the same way as my one with the points?

[@classicvwbugs]

your points might be too tight or you have the light hooked up to the positive side of the coil.

[@juanmanuelcortez1098]

I Double checked Points at .016 good gap , I actually took My coil Off to also double check + - conectors 🤔😶 Might it be the inside of the distributor it's the only part that's been untouched LoL 😅

[@timtreeborgsonjen1533]

The piston is at tdc at the top of the exhaust stroke too. Maybe do a video about that little head scratcher.

[@saiesafari9640]

thanks your the best

[@MrTodo6969]

I have a 1300cc with and 30pict-2 carb and 009 distro. Is this the correct method to set the pulley at 7.5btdc? Because I’m reading it should be set to 28 - 32 degrees since I have a 009 distro, unless that’s not on the pulley itself and maybe something entirely different

[@tonyfeole6533]

very helpful. Issue resolved.

[@regalado1234]

Hi: Thanks for your videos! it teach me a lot on how to make the adjustments of my beloved beetle. Just one question: I live in a place whit high elevation (3000mts as cusco), I've heard that when adjusting timing I have to advance more than 7 1/2 even to 15 degrees. Is there any formula to calculate that?

[@jcxperts]

The green vacuum ball must take care of it...

[@DanTheManIOM]

Just this Chris on my 67 bus --- I had the dimple and V notch at 7.5 degrees, did the negative post and carb base with a VOM and read 12V, turned it, read 1 volt, back to reading 12 and bolt it down, hit the key and wa la it started right up -- I could not get it to start a few days ago -- plus plug wire 3 was not conected...THANKS !

[@DanTheManIOM]

6 years later and I am back again...same vehicle...different engine....

[@seankirkland8730]

Hi My 72 1200 bug has a pulley with a dimple and a v opposite is this set at 7.5? also running a vacuum advanced dizzy.

[@brianjohn2894]

Can you make a video about timing a 1600 with timing gun with 009 dizzy I've tired but not sure thanks

[@americoboarettojunior]

Aqui no Brasil, devido a mistura de álcool na gasolina, geralmente deixamos o ponto de ignição entre 12,5 e 15 graus.

[@WCA13]

Now what if I’m running a 1776cc how much do I advance or what is the benefit of advanced timing I’m kinda new and I bit off a lot of motor for my first project, it recently stopped running at a stoplight after about an hour of running it it would crank over for half a second but not stay cranked over I’m thinking my valves need adjusted again or I jumped timing

[@elkid78]

Thanks for the video i have a full injected beetle how can i do it

[@TheDozens4]

@brighteyefilms I just did what this video said and it worked! My car starts fine! but now im idling REALLY low and its misfiring all over the place and now everything else seems wrong.... what do i do!? please respond ASAP!

[@dawsonrose958]

So what if you have the same notches as you do just the opposite direction? So like your first notch (tdc) is on the other side of the 7.5 and 10 degree notches? 1973 original everything minus the new addition of vacuum advanced distributor.

[@michaelibey6700]

If you have a 70's VW with a double-pull distributor, you cannot time them with a test light, you HAVE to use a timing light on those.Also, it's a good idea to check the retard diaphragm on a double pull distributor as many are blown. Double-pulls are timed at idle with both vacuum hoses connected to 5 ATDC. Which is a notch to the left of the dimple on the front rim of the pulley. 411/412's are a completely different animal that are timed at around 3500 RPM TO 27 BTDC on American market fuel injected cars.

[@shevstilkskin]

As you move the pulley will the rotor move to 1 at the same time? or do you have to lift off and move to pos 1, as i have electric ignition

[@joseeduardolararios7830]

Buenas noches esa tecnica solo es para distribuidor a platino o tambien para encendido electrónico con distribuidor de sensor hall.

[@Singh_1989]

I am doing a tune up on my sister's beetle with 1600 empi racing motor, I am having an issue where the light would not turn off, and now it won't turn on, any suggestions on what to try or what may be wrong Edit: Found that when the light went out I had lost power to the coil, not sure if there is a burnt up wire or a bad ground.

[@latitude6025]

thanks for sharing this video..AMG

[@mikemccullough3938]

Hello, my buddy has a tryke with a '73 1600 engine that won't start now. It has a new starter, alternator, coil, carberator and electronic distributor. It was running before we changed the starter, but just backfires now. ?? What are we missing ?