valve adjustment

I Know there has already been plenty of discussions on this subject. Recently adjusted mine as per "dave and robs " procedure but they are now noisier than before??. Can someone offer me a foolproof method.

Thanks in advance AL

I started doing them well over 25 years ago using EXACTLY the method in John Muir's "Idiots Book". I still do it that way (except now rotate the engine in the normal direction rather than backward).
I now generally set intakes to 4-6 thou and exhausts to 6-8 thou. ie. If the intakes are just a tad tight I leave them, and if the exhausts are a tad loose (desirable), ditto.

Noisy valve gear suggests setting/s too loose, but could be loose hold-down nuts on the rocker arm studs, or a broken spacer-washer holding the rocker arms in place. I had that happen once and couln't find it for a while as it all LOOKED intact. The whole area should have a critical eye run over it while the cover is off, as well as checking for looseness in the arms etc. by feel. You may even find a broken valve spring! (push on them).

thanks. when I done them I only had to adjust about (4 )to 6 thou as per instruction. My concern was making sure the piston was in correct positon so the valve etc was in the correct place. The procedure said to "rock" motor back and forth to make sure it is in the correct place. Seems to be a bit hit and miss??

A degree pulley is the best way

I agree with Ace. Follow John Muir's instructions to the letter. I do. Every time. If you want me to I will tell you what he says.

My first VW mechanic was factory trained and he said that if the intakes are adjusted to 6 thou and the exhausts to 8 thou, then you will never burn out an exhaust valve. They will run a little noisily, but that's OK. I have done that and I have never had a problem. The tappet noise is uniform and if it changes then you need to check the clearances as one of them has closed up a little.

cool!!

If you are unsure where TDC is, you can adjust them this way:

There are only 4 lobes on the cam.

Each one lifts two valves. One on each side of the engine.

Wind the engine over til a valve is at full lift,

and then adjust the valve on the oposite side to 4 to 6 thou.

But on another note, a loose gudgeon bush can sound like a loose tappet,
as can a hydraulic cam lobe(reground by mistake) used with solid lifters.