VW Bus Engine With Large Valve Clearance

I bought a fresh rebuilt 2.0 engine with hydraulic lifters for my 1975 VW Bus and on the first start I heard a loud rapping sound and this is what I found. The gap for one of the valves was huge.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• vw
• volkswagen
• bus
• van
• kombi
• type
• 2
• 4
• 914
• camper
• hippie
• 1975
• 1970s
• 70s
• rebuilt
• engine
• motor
• 2.0
• valve

[hammy022]

Is this a type 4? For hydraulic lifters do you just adjust to zero lash?

[s1608jm5]

Yes this is a type 4 with hyd lifters. I called the engine builder and asked why there was large gap and told them about the hyd lifters. They told me to adjust the rocker arm until it just touches the vavle and then one whole turn. I did what they said and now it sounds fine. They also recommended that I readjust the valves after 1000 miles. After that I should not have to worry about adjusting the valves for a long time.

[ratheads]

Is the one whole turn into or away from valve ?

[s1608jm5]

It was one turn into the valve. I was a little uneasy at first about setting the valves like that. I've always worked on 1600 dual ports with solid lifters. This was both my first type 4 and hydraulic lifter engine.

[vwjettaglx]

@MegaPuttputt

Wrong.

SOLID LIFTERS => .006 intake and exhaust.

HYDRAULIC LIFTERS=> Set to ZERO lash and then turn 1 to 2 turns IN.

Cheers.

[kenster38]

The cam has to be fully pushing the the rocker arm the only way to see that is with the distributer off till you reach cylider 1 ,,,then you check clearance ,,,,or else if you check all of them its normal that it will move like that check in your book for your model vw,start with No 1 piston .

[MegaPuttputt]

actually you should get a feeler gauge and adjust it to .006

[VolkswagenTube]

This was very informative. I am going to let my brother know about the adjustment. He is having a builder do his type 4 with hydraulic lifters.

[dolphinberserk]

Yes but watch out! If the engine was just rebuilt then the hydr-lifters may not have been fully pumped up (with oil) when you adjusted them. I'd check 'em again (cold) once you've driven her at typical running temperature a few times. BTW although the workshop manual says 2 turns in from contact the 1 turn as you stated is consistent with the lay-knowledge on TheSamba,com, Ratwell et al (where they say 3/4 to one turn, 2 being too much).

[hectanooga]

Wow... that is a lot of clearance. Yipes.