Date:         Sat, 12 Aug 2000 07:32:14 -0400
Reply-To:     pokeswagon@blazenet.net
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "(Donna Cassano)" <pokeswagon@blazenet.net>
Subject:      Lifter Update
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Howdy Volks,

Just thought that I would let you all know how things with my lifter
cleaning and adjusting.

I kind of wimped out on the ATF cleaning and used a diluted mixture. I
ran/drove the van for about 10 minutes to warm it up. I added 1 quart of
ATF to my existing oil (which happened to be about 1 quart low) and ran
it for 10 more minutes. I was planning on running it for 20 minutes, but
I panicked when the oil light started to flicker and shut it down.
Drained all oil. Replaced filter with Mann/Mahle. Filled oil with 20W50
Castrol and around 6oz of MMO. I didn't get around to running the van
for another 18 hours and when I did - TICK-A TICK-A TICK-A. Louder than
ever before and on all 4 at the same time!!! I cautiously drove it and
after about 10 minutes, it was quiet as a church mouse.

Then, aout two days later, we jumped on the lifter adjustment. My
experienced air cooled buddy and mechanic, Gil actually did the
adjusting while I eagerly observed, taking mental notes for later
adjustments. Under the covers there still were a few spots that the ATF
didn't get clean. Some soft black crud could be found close to the
rocker assembly and a few spots on the heads as well. But overall I
thought that they looked clean. If I ever do another clean again, I
would try and run the engine for longer. ANYWAY, since there was so many
varied opinions as to the correct adjustment, we kind of took the middle
road and turned them 1 & 1/2 turns. All went well and it was sooo much
easier than I expected. I feel pretty confident that I would be able to
do this on the road if necessary. I just have to remember to keep
setting TDC for each cylinder. ; ) Pepe does seem to be a little Zippier
and some of my hesitation problems have gotten better (but some still
there). I have various sensors on order to try and remedy the cold
hesitation.

There was one thing about the adjustment that had me a little concerned.
On both #2 And #4 intake valves the adjustment was "different" than the
others. After backing out the screws and then tightening them back down,
they just didn't tighten as smoothly as the others. Like, you know that
point that you start to feel resistance and you know that you are up
against the lifter? Shouldn't the rocker assembly be firm at that point?
When we took these two to the point of resistance the rocker assembly it
still had a little wiggle. With the 1 & 1/2 turns it did snug up, but I
just thought that that was a little strange. Do these two share the same
cam? Is it possible that the cam is messed up? If so, any ideas how long
I can run like this? Maybe just tighten these two a little tighter?

Sorry if I got a little long and daffy with this.
TIA
Peace - donna
'84 Westy (Pepe)