The metal scale in the photograph is reproduction. Variations between it and the plastic scale can be partially resolved by bending it.phaedrus76 wrote:I believe the original timing scale for your '76 is made of black plastic. I can vouch for the accuracy of the repros, but using one and painting the raised numbers and marks white makes for a very readable scale.Ronin10 wrote:I might run it if the consensus is that it's original, but I'll have to perma-mark it somehow to replicate key timing positions as I could rub the pain off with my fingernails.
First, if the plastic scale is a genuine VW (notch at "0" and a rectangular indentation between 25-28* BTDC and indented dots at 7.5 BTDC 5*ATDC and 10*ATDC), do your best to get it installed with the plastic exactly horizontal at the top mounting point. Just snug it lightly exactly horizontal along the bottom surface of the plastic reaching from the scale to the fan housing bolt. This will dictate the position of the scale along the rotational arc. Now rotate engine to set pulley notch under the "0" on the correctly positioned plastic scale. Do not move engine. Now install the metal scale. See if you can bend it to line up its "0" with the timing notch on the pulley.
I put red dot at 28-26* and fill the "0" on metal scales for timing/valve adjustment purposes . . . :