80/90 timing marks question

[Ti Kan]

EBavely writes:
> [ 3A engine ]
> I assumed that the dot on the cam gear lines up with the front edge (plug
> side) of the valve cover (a la VW), that the distributor rotor should be
> pointing at the #1 mark on the distributor and that the zero on the flywheel
> should be lined up with the casting mark that sits halfway up inside the
> bellhousing hole.

Yes.

> I don't have a manual for this car and the car does not run like it should.
> It's sluggish off idle, down on power and will not pull in gear past
> 4000-4500 rpm.  I also noticed last night that it backfires (a popping noise
> really) ever so slightly when I let off throttle in first gear.  I started
> looking at the timing and thought that maybe I was using the wrong marks.
> Should I be using the line instead of the zero on the flywheel?

No.  The line is used when setting basic ignition timing using a timing
light while car is idling.

Look for basics... vacuum leaks, clogged fuel filters and injectors, etc.

-Ti
2003 A4 1.8T multitronic (soon)
2001 S4 2.7T
1984 5000S turbo
1980 4000 2.0
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    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
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