Static Timing T1 Aircooled Engine

You use this guides at your own risk, if you are unsure consult a professional. Statically timing a VW Type 1 Aircooled Engine

You will need a 19mm & 10mm spanner or equivalent, a flat bed screwdriver and a timing light (Simply a wire with a 12v bulb in the middle and crocodile clips either end).

Steps;
Un-clip the distributor cap from the main body of the distributor with a flat blade screwdriver and locate the notch on the rim. Using the 19mm spanner rotate the generator pulley clockwise until the crank pulley notch/mark is lined up with the crack between the two halves of the crankcase and the rotor arm is pointing somewhere near where the notch is on the distributor body.

Place the distributor cap back on the distributor body ensuring its clipped down properly and place your static timing light to same connector as the thin green wire on the coil, the other end should connect to a good earth.

Loosen the 10mm nut on the distributor just enough so the distributor will turn, now turn on the ignition (Don’t start the engine!).

Rotate the distributor until the timing light turns on, now turn it clockwise until it turns off and then slowly counter clockwise until is just turns on, keep doing this till you get it right i.e the light just comes on, then tighten up the 10mm nut on the distributor and check the light comes on at the right place just to ensure you haven’t moved it while tightening the 10mm nut.

Turn off the ignition, you have now completed statically timing your engine.

This is the starting point to get your engine going, if you then measure 11mm from TDC that gives you 7.5 degrees and 46.5 mm gives you 30 degrees. Mark them with tip-ex and you have your rough timing marks.

Ultimately for best performance you want to time it with a timing gun.