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Date:         Thu, 7 Nov 2002 07:41:22 -0500
Reply-To:     "G.M.Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "G.M.Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Organization: Bulley-Hewlett
Subject:      Re: Help!, Something funny with Valve adjustment
In-Reply-To:  <3DC9DD90.11B45720@cs.fiu.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

This will probably gain groans from some, but I've given up on ALL fussy methods of adjusting the valves on our 1982. I find none of the methods, (+2 turns, +1 turn, 0 clearance, .006 clearance, do it warm, do it cold, do it in a boat, do it with a goat, etc.) make ANY difference in how my motor runs.

If I pre-compress the lifter with one or two turns the van runs funny for a few minutes, then the lifters soon settle back to 0 clearance and it runs great. If I start at 0 clearance, there is a little initial clatter, then it runs great. If I start at .006 clearance, there is more initial clatter, then it runs great. Etc. Etc.

AS a result, I still check the adjustment every 10k-15k, but now I basically release the tension on the screw until the rocker can rock freely, then I screw it back in to take up the slack, somewhere between 0 clearance and +1 turn compression. No careful measurement, no secret incantation. I do it cold, warm, or hot, whatever the motor happens to be when I arrive under the van. Compression is always rock solid (+/-160 psi) and even within 15 minutes of running.

Groan, flame, or roll your eyes. (oh yeah, I use off-brand oil, and sometime use Fram oil filters, too. so take my advice with a grain of salt)

G. Matthew Bulley Creator and Grand Emporer of the VW Heat, Rust, Noise Web Page http://www.bulley-hewlett.com/VWindex/ Owner of too many VW's to mention Mount Olive, NC

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Jeff Strickrott Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 10:27 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Help!, Something funny with Valve adjustment

Hi All:

I am in the middle of adjusting my valves on an 82 Vanagon and have run into a problem. Advice and wisdom sought. Before I begin let me state that I have read (but maybe not understood) the following on adjusting valves for an air-cooled Vanagon:

Bentley's, Haynes, Muir's, Stan's ShapingUp page (http://williamwareagency.com/forsale/stanvan/shapingup.htm), and Boston' Bob's Hydraulic lifters article (http://www.bostonengine.com/articles/hydraulicll.htm).

I decided to use the 0.006 method of adjusting the valves as In thought I understood this procedure.

On a good valve, I adjust the lash to 0.006 and then test the clearance. I can just place a 0.006 gauge between the valve and adjustment screw, but cannot fit a 0.007 gauge. In addition after adjustment I can just slightly move the rocker back and forth.

Now on some of the valves (two so far) I have the following problem. I adjust the lash for 0.006, but when I test it with the 0.006 feeler, I cannot fit the feeler between valve and adjustment screw. However, I have no problem with the 0.007 or 0.008 in blades. If I back off on the adjustment screw a little bit, the 0.006 blade will fit, but again so will the larger sizes. On these valve the rocker will not move after adjustment. When the larger feeler blades fit I am wondering if I am just compressing the lifter due to air. The van sat for 24 hour since I took off the valve covers. The PO had torqued the jam nuts down so tight that three of them stripped and I had to find new ones before continuing with adjustment.

Would it be better if I tried another adjustment method? Would Stan's 1 turn clockwise be a better solution?

Puzzled in paradise :-(

Regards, --Jeff Strickrott 82 Westy, South Florida


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