The short answer is that you should use a strobe and set the timing at 3000 rpm to 28 to 32 degrees. It is important to not exceed 32 degrees.
It is important to set dynamically because of the inconsistencies between 009 distribs. The max advance can vary by as much as 12 degrees from one to another.
It is more important to set the max advance and let the min rest were it will.
However the following may help you, if you don't have a strobe.
First set the points accurately to 16 to 18 thou or .4 to .5 mm. then follow the directions below.
In the directions below, instead of using a strobe. use a cigarette paper between the points. When you can just slip the paper out the points are opening.
Now you can start your VW and drive around to your mates place and borrow his strobe light. Good luck with your project.
Static Timing -
Note 1: This procedure is for use on centrifugal advance (009) and single-vacuum/dual advance distributors with points ONLY -- and even with these distributors, it is only approximate. Setting the maximum advance timing with a stroboscopic timing light is much more important. Dual vacuum distributors and distributors equipped with electronic ignition must be timed with a stroboscopic timing light.
Note 2: If you have a single vacuum distributor, there is no need to remove the vacuum line to static time the distributor. However, if you are going to use a stroboscopic timing light, the vacuum line must be removed and plugged so that air will not be sucked into the carburetor during the test.
Note 3: Make absolutely sure that piston #1 is at TDC. It is possible to inadvertently set piston #3 at TDC, which will position the notch on the distributor and the rotor 180 degrees out. If this is the case, make sure #1 is at TDC by using the Finding TDC procedure above, then rotate the distributor until the notch is at 5 o'clock from vacuum distributors and 7 o'clock for the 009 distributor.
Note: You may find that the nut on the forward end of the clamp bolt turns when you try to loosen or tighten the clamp bolt. It is difficult to get a wrench on this 10mm nut; we finally kept it from turning by wedging a small flat-blade screwdriver against it.
Just to clarify the question, this is aking about static timing not dynamic with a strobe light.
That depends on what kind of timing you are wondering about... In a basic ignition there are two types of engine timing, static and dynamic. Static timing is the timing your engine runs at idle and low rpm. Dynamic timing is the variable (thus called dynamic) timing your engine runs on from low to full rpm. The static timing should always be set first, it depends on what ignition your motorcycle has...points? magnetic pickup? crank fired? there are several types The dynamic timing refers to the timing advance the distributor modulates through engine rpm. Setting this requires a timing light and timing marks on the harmonic balancer and engine block (usually stamped into the parts themselves from the factory). To help you out further I need to know what kind of ignition you have...a service manual will tell you what kind you have, and even how to adjust it. Best of luck!
what timing are you trying to set? the cam timing or the ignition timing?
Timing is set by the PCM and not adjustable.
proper answer: the ignition timing is controlled by the ECU , the or the engine computer as some might called. today the ECU is called the PCM. the timing is set on the fly using lookup tables inside the ECU. these tables are indexed by RPM and Load (vacuum). the base timing is set by the distributer or at a CAS sensor. (crank angle sensor ) the 95 uses a Distributor. (with a cmp/cas inside) if you timing does not advance then the ECU is faulty or one of the following: 1: Freeze jumper is shorted to ground (8vECU pin A7) or at the diagnostic connector C>D short. 2: the Map sensor is dead freezing the timing or grossly limiting the advance to only that achieved by RPM. This is a common failure mode ,and can be corrected by replacing all the ECU Electrolytic capacitors. The static timing is set to 8 Deg. Before TDC or 5 degrees, depending on whether you have a 8valve or 16v engine. if you discover the ignition static timing is off, check the can timing , and if that is off, install a new belt and idler. you will discover the ignition timing is now back to normal. (unless you messed with it). to set the static timing, place a jumper at C>D as mentioned above and then apply the timing light. rotate Distributor until perfect. jtgh
Timing is set by the PCM and is not adjustable.
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