Couple of questions related to resetting timing belt on diesel jetta 91.

Installing a new head gasket and timing belt on 91 jetta diesel. setting timing requires setting #1 cylinder TDC, but no where in book does it say which is #1. Which is it - drivers or passenger side?

Where is the the flywheel timing mark? Mine doesn't look exactly like book says (no pointer on my insprection port). I think I found it approx 5-10 degrees of rotation past (to the right) what looks like a magnetic pick-up. (rectangular block on edge of flywheel) It looks like a 1/8 -3/18 round dimple in flywheel.

I suppose this is an interference engine. If I timed the cam 180 degrees out, is it possible that cranking didn't trash some valves? (not admitting I did mind you ;-)) But knowing which is #1 will really help that.

Appreciate any experience on this.

Skip

180 off won't hurt your valves. The left most (drivers side) is the #1. There should be a wedge cut in the flywheel. If you remove the entire plastic plug that covers the view port you should be able to find it. Being 180 off will cause the fuel to inject at the wrong time and you'll be able to start it with starting fluid, but it won't turn over. It will behave like the injection pump isn't primed.