I bought an air-cooled vanagon last year and decided to take a look at the
points/dwell/timing situation while it was laid up for the winter.  The
points are pitted (bad) and the dwell is 60 deg (hard on the coil).  I
found the timing mark on the fan pulley by using Ratwell's information and
the sticker inside the engine compartment says the static/idle timing
should be 7.5 Deg BTDC.

On checking the static/idle timing I found it to be 6 Deg ATDC and that it
advances to 34 Deg BTDC at 3,000 RPM.  The van starts and runs great.  No
issues with power.

I would like to replace the points and advance the timing.  The problem is
that I cannot advance the timing because the vacuum can on the SVDA
distributor is up tight against the cold start valve and I need to turn the
distributor in that direction. (I can find no markings on the distributor
to determine it's heritage).

Looking at other Type 4 engine layouts I see the vacuum can is near the
shaft that connects the air flaps and not near the cold start valve.

I have consulted the Bently and Haynes manuals and awaiting Tom Wilson's
book for more research.  I have looked through the Vanagon threads and The
Samba discussion too.

I know the engine was rebuilt 25,000 kms ago.  The PO was not an engine guy
so don't think he ever did the timing.  Looking at the service records I
see it was done by others.

So two questions.  Why does the van run so well with the timing so far
off?  Is the incorrect positioning of the distributor due to the drive gear
being mis-oriented during the rebuild?  Or am I missing something obvious
here.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts people might have on this issue.