1979 VW B1 Passat Estate - Ready for MOT

Get it stored at your lasses stables, ideally on a hardstanding so the floorpans don't end up screwed. Aside from the initial transportation cost, surely it won't cost you anything to have it sat for 12 months? That'll give you time to sort other more important things out, and the Passat will still be waiting for you when you're more flush. If you do go with this plan, make sure you squirt a little decent engine oil down in through each plug hole (and then briefly turn the engine over) so it's got a good coating in the bores.

arsonist, align your crankshaft and just pull off that cambelt. Realign accordingly the camshaft ( being sure you have that little dot aligned with the head )and the intermediate shaft , reinstall the cambelt and give it a go. Put some fuel in the floatbowl and , normally, you have to hear at least some sputtering.
If the valves are bent then I think you should feel some blockage when you turn the crankshaft by hand. I doubt it, I think those engines are no interference engines
My 0.02 and sorry for my english

No, I'm really not convinced the timing is correct. I'm fairly sure the crankshaft is aligned with the pistons, but I don't think the cam and valves or dizzy are properly lined up.

Gonna have another look with the rocker cover off tomorrow, although still no idea how to tell if the cam is aligned!

Also as for belt tension, yep it turns 90 degrees on its longest point, but no more without really trying. So I think the tension is about right!

I do indeed, I've actually got the pre facelift and post-facelift version as quite a few important bits changed between 75 and 79. It's all over the place though and even info on timing is basic, e.g. it will say 'ensure the timing is correct on the crank pulley'. Gee, that's helpful!!...

Keep plugging away! Car looks well worth saving and will be a rare sight on our roads! No one on here nearby that can give it a once over?

Are you actually in Chester?

Boom!

Pulled the cam belt and set the camshaft and crank to TCD independently of each other with the rocker cover off. Set the belt back on, tightened, and tested for compression.

115 PSI across all 4 cylinders, with a very strong smell of easy start and petrol coming out with the pressure release valve! Still not starting, but I'm not 100% sure my dizzy is way off timing. Damn thing won't budge though, so I've soaked it in WD40 and will attack it again tomorrow.

It seems my dear great uncle might have been going slightly senile when he attempted to change the belt, as he's managed to cam, crank and dizzy all super out of synch. I'm also now thinking this engine must be non-interfearence, given that it's cranked so many times fully out of time, and clearly the valves have never impacted the pistons.

This is the biggest step forward for this car in 20+ years. Sadly, and rather fatefully, my great aunt passed away last night (who spent many hours and holidays in this car). I've now abandoned all thoughts of selling. This car will drive again!!!

Sorry to hear about your aunt..

Great news on the progress,strange in a way but the fact someone fitted the belt wrong and couldn't start it again probably preserved the car in the long run!

Those compression readings seem ok for a cold test.Once you get her running a warm test will give you maybe another 15-20 psi on each cylinder.

Hate loosing keys. Do it all the time. Normally remember sticking them somewhere daft after a day or two.
Some old vws let you lock them inside then hold the exterior door handle in the open position to shut it locked. Probably not advisable if there's no key though.