Date:         Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:18:00 -0400
Reply-To:     Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Compression, Valve Adjusting
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

In preparing my current westy for sale sometime soon I have been
performing maintenance that I have put off for the last year or two.  This
past weekend I adjusted the valves and checked the compression before and
after the adjustments.  A recent discussion on the list encouraged me to
change the adjustment to 0 turns in with the engine at operating temp.
The average compression per cylinder before and after the adjustments  (no
oil squirting was done) were:

Before,
1 - 75
2 - 140
3 - 90
4 - 125

After,
1 - 130
2 - 145
3 - 140
4 - 130

This is an air cooled 2.0 that has been my daily driver since I picked it
up about 4 years ago.  As far as I can tell from the p.o.'s records it has
about 80k miles at least.  I lost the hard drive that had all of the
previous compression numbers.  Are there any observations on the change?  I
will probably perform the same adjustment and test again in a week or two
just to see if the # 1 and # 3 cylinder valves settle any after such a big
adjustment.

So, thanks list for mentioning again the 0 turn adjustments as opposed to
the bentley specs.  The increase in power was most welcome (and
noticeable).  I will have a clearer conscience when I pass this van along to
the next care taker.

Jonathan Poole
'82 AC Westy