912E/914 timing question

[BMV912E]

do you require any special tools when timing your 912E / 914 ? or can I just use your standard 13mm wrenches to loosen the distributor for adjustment?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

On a 914, you need a mirror or the willingness to shove your upper body all the way into the engine bay so you can see the timing marks. (That's why many of us add paint marks across the whole of the fan for timing; because the back of the fan is not very visible otherwise without a mirror.)

A 912E should be easier in that respect, assuming it uses the hole in the fan shroud to show the timing marks. I know some VW applications had a scale that bolted onto the fan shroud and you read a mark on the front of the fan relative to that, but I don't think the 912E had that setup.

--DD

[jsipay]

Does removing the engine deck lid make it possible to read the timing marks without shoving your upper body into the engine compartment or having to use a mirror to time the engine

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Well, it certainly makes it easier to get your eyes into a position to see...

(Note that I am occasionally given to exaggerate things. Slightly. A tiny bit. Sometimes.)

--DD

[jsipay]

Thanks, Dave. I tried to use a mirror to see the fan marks and just got frustrated. Plus it seems like you need to be an Octopus to hold the mirror, shoot the timing light and twist the dizzy, if need be, at the same time. I figured that without the engine lid I could use a step stool and get above the timing hole and be able to see the back side of the fan for the marks. It would then be possible to shoot my timing light directly into that hole to check/adjust.