Richard Golding wrote:

> My 77 'vert was getting sluggish, so I adjusted valves, changed the oil &
> tuned it up to factory specs, but still sluggish. VW and Bentley both say
> the timing should be set at 5 degrees ATDC. I decided to experiment a bit,
> and set it at about 2 1/2 ATDC. What a difference! Much peppier, and does 70
> on the freeway now. Still starts right up on the first key turn.
>
> This is an all stock engine with the stock dizzy.
>
> My question is, by changing the timing, am I doing any harm to the engine? I
> know it's not much of a change in timing, but what if I were to set it to
> TDC or even 5 degrees BTDC? What range would be safe or harmful?
> -Rich
>

You want to check the maximum advance it is getting at, say, 3000 RPM.

It's possible that the distrib is not working right.
Suck on each vac hose and see if the advance plate moves to the stop
and stays there. If not, there is a leak.

--

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/