I have heard that having the distributor off one tooth can create a loss of power.

 

I am working on an EA81

I have my car timed to the mark on the flywheel. I have a serious lack of power. My distributor is turned all the way to one side to get the timing correct.

 

This motor is in a VW and I may still be thinking VW. Does the position of the shaft really matter if the timing is on or is the "computer" inside my distributor hooked up to an indicator on the shaft somehow making the correct timing a two part thing?

 

I have tried to search for the answer to not repeat. This is what got me thinking about a possible indicator.

 

Thanks for any help.

Nope - if you are at 8 degree's on the gun, then you are good to go. Typically with a Weber you can push it up to 10 degree's. But where the slot is in relation to the bolt has nothing to do with it being timed correctly. If it shows good when you check it and advances properly with vacuum and RPM's then it's functioning as designed.

 

GD

What do you mean by 8 degrees on the gun? should it be timed to the TD mark on the flywheel or the 8 on the flywheel?

8* BTDC is the correct setting. But as GD says, you can go 10*.