Sudden Power loss

[KKV270]

Hi.

Just crossed a number of huddles in getting my beetle performing well.

I had done the static timing on my engine but never ever got it performing as well in gaining of speed and accelleration).

A friend of mine worked the timing using static at first but then while the engine was running, firther rotated the distributor to a point the engine RPM increased.

On driving off, for the first time, my beetle accellerated as I have always knew a well running car should. Also of amazement, the fuel consumption has significantly improoved.

Thanks to you all for the assistance. I am glad to say that the car is performing.

[Blue Baron]

What did you static time it to?

[KKV270]

Hi Blue Baron.

Thanks for the question. I hope you could get me understandiing this stuff becouse I was now beginning to wonder on how much the theory I read in books hold.

I set the pully to top position with the rotter onto cyllinder one position. Loosening the distributor, with the ignition on, I turned it unti-clockwise then slowly back clockwise to the time the bulb that was connected to the coil's +ve terminal and grounded onto the body, lit up.

With that, the car did the 1/2 kick start. That had been the static timing I always did....

What my friend did above that was rotated the distributor further clockwise (while the enginne was running) and the RPM kept on increasing to a certain point it then started reducing and we went back to the point it was fastes.

I had a 70Km drive yesterda....cand say I've ever had such a fantastic drive and with good fuel consumption.
Kindly help me understand what the earlier procedure lacked in.

Thanks.

[h~moto]

I think you have the distributor turning directions backward. You should be turning the distributor clockwise and then slowly counterclockwise until your tester lights up. To test the accuracy of the timing, put a wrench or socket on the generator nut and turn it counterclockwise a bit to back up. Then turn the nut slowly clockwise. Your tester should light up as the second timing mark (the left one) on the crankshaft pulley crosses the seam of the two engine case halves. If your tester lit up before the second mark reached the top, you need to turn the distributor clockwise. If your tester lit up after the mark reached the top, you need to turn the distributor counterclockwise.This is assuming that you have a stock 1300 engine. If you are not using a test light you can still perform this procedure by watching for a spark at the points.

[Blue Baron]

I set the pully to top position with the rotter onto cyllinder one position.

Right. But my question would be, which mark on the pully did you set it to? There should be two marks close together, and you set it to the left one, which is 7 degrees before top dead center.

[KKV270]

Hi.
H-moto, thanks for the clarification on the distributor turning direction. I had earlier done the proceedure correctly as you have mentioned. I did still achieve the same results.

Blue Baron. I'll be honest man, I never was certain which of the two marks was the one to work with...so i used to put the crankshaft pulley mark at the centre of both marks. Glad to know that I am to use he one on the left.

However, I probably guess I am dealing with an engine that might not have been re-timed well as the best performance is always been achieved on slightly adjusting the distributor slightly past the point at which it lights the test bulb....that is where the RPM is best and engine equally perfoems best.

My friend and I have just rebuilt his engine. I will pay key attention on the same matter as we set the distributor.

I'm grateful for the lessons here.
Cheers.

[Blue Baron]

I won't disagree with that. Many engines like a little more initial advance.