Distributor Problems

[Mbrew@aol.com]

Hi Everybody,

Dudley ('67 sqbk) has his new engine installed - I did it totally solo (Well,
St. Muir had a hand in it).  The problem is as follows:
The engine that was in it AE105326 was from a Super-Beetle (I didn't do it;
don't ask me how the PO stuffed it in there with all of the T3 tin etc..)
 The new engine is a rebuilt 1600 longblock from Fast German Auto.  I
unbolted and rebolted everything that it needed from the old engine and
installed it. Today I tried to start it- no dice.  I had a feeling it was
distributor problem because the notch in the drive gear wasn't at 60 degrees
at TDC as per Muir, but I figured maybe that's because it's a universal case
(what do I know -- I've never pulled ANY engine before).  I pulled the dist.
and looked at the drive gear again, it appears that it was set for a Type IV
(about 12 degrees from parallel the the split in the case).  Now we're making
progress, I thought, but after pulling the gear, resetting it to T3 specs,
and re-installing the distributor, my rotor was pointing at about 10:00
(nowhere near the number 1 plug wire).  Getting frustrated I decided to set
the gear the same as the old engine, but that gear was 180 degrees wrong at
TDC even for a Type I.  I don't know what to do next.  The numbers from my
dist are  0 231 178 009.  From the references I have, that's a .009
hi-performance dist.  Can I even use that dist in my new engine, and if so,
what specs do I use to reinstall the drive gear.  Help!!!  Today (Friday) is
the only day I can work on the car for another week. Also, if I can use this
dist, what advance if any is correct for timing it.

Thank you.

Mike (I think I'm going insane) Kasold
'67 squareback "Dudley" (I think my owner's an idiot)