[T3] Distributor Drive Gear Position

[elpuerco66 at gmail.com (Jaime Gurrola)]

    Does it matter whether the distributor drive gear is oriented, as 
per Bently, in type 3 vs type 1 position.  In a recent rebuild, I 
decided to set the drive gear in the type 1 position to allow me to 
install the 009 distributor so that the condensor would not interfere 
with fan housing and generator.  This put the #1 position at around 4-5 
o'clock like in a Beetle.  My temps have always been on the high side, 
could the orientation of the drive gear have any affect on oil temps and 
CHT?   My reasoning is that that VW engineered the #3 cyl with a few 
degrees of retard in the distributor. Did VW simply adjust the gear 
orientation to allow for the installation of the distrbutor?  Should I 
keep looking elsewhere for solutions to overheating, primairly timing 
and mixture?