Valve clearances

Gazza265 Seriously Crusin Dubber

108 posts · joined Aug 2009 · 20 Feb 2010, 8:01 pm

#763505

G'day all,
I may have just done a boo boo. I read on Dave and Robs page that the valve clearances should be .004" for older motors ans 006" for the later ones. I set my daughter's bugs ones to 005"(with the motor cold). Took me the best part of an hour to do it. Started it up and took it for a run and it went very quietly and nicely.

Parked it in the garage and after dinner I checked the workshop manual and it says to set them to .040" ????

I guess I'll have to redo them huh?

Fixer upperer of daughter's '69 Bug "Oscar"

Cheers
Gazza

vwrallycar Insano Dub Head

721 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 20 Feb 2010, 8:15 pm

#763508

no, set the valve clearances cold. i normally set mine to 0.006" but 0.004" is also fine

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 20 Feb 2010, 8:21 pm

#763509

Nah - should be fine to leave 'em at the .005" tho you've set them at.

.004" is the normal "factory recommendation", but most ppl use .005" or .006" (slightly noiser, but less chance of burning a valve obviously).

.040" would have to be a typo...

VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
Join a car club - get car peeps

My toys
'70 Hillclimb Bug 'Jezebel' w/- Haltech EFI - http://bit.ly/VwTNtQ
'60 KG Coupe - resto kinda started
01 New Beetle - gf's car, but I turn the spanners

Gazza265 Seriously Crusin Dubber

108 posts · joined Aug 2009 · 20 Feb 2010, 8:26 pm

#763512

Thanks for that Andrew,
I thought it strange that Rob and Daves page would be wrong??

In the Scientific Publications Workshop Manual No 46 Volkswagon 1100, 1200, 1200A, 1300 and 1500..it definately says under the heading on page 27 'Part 14' Valve and Tappet Adjustment, (2) Quote "Adjust the valve clearance on No 1 cylinder to .040" Unquote

Me thinks it may be a stuff up or typo perhaps.

Fixer upperer of daughter's '69 Bug "Oscar"

Cheers
Gazza

Gazza265 Seriously Crusin Dubber

108 posts · joined Aug 2009 · 20 Feb 2010, 8:35 pm

#763515

Thanks also Dave...when I set them I also changed the oil and cleaned the strainer ( New gaskets as well ) along with new rocker cover gaskets. When I rattled the rockers when I first took the valve covers off the clearances were well above 4 to 6 thou I assure you more like 10-15 thou!! We ( L plate daughter and I ) have put 2,500 miles on it since we bought it and this was the second oil change and the first valve clearance check.

Fixer upperer of daughter's '69 Bug "Oscar"

Cheers
Gazza

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 20 Feb 2010, 9:33 pm

#763525

Right, OK - just checked my copy of that one, and now I can see what's going on... (sad, but I believe can never have TOO many Volksy books !!!)

Anyway, that sequence of steps is for checking valve timing, NOT for setting the tappet clearance. See after step 5, top left of page 28 there's a NOTE there to make sure you set the valve clearances back to spec... which is listed on page 9 of that manual....

.010" - .015" tappets... I've heard that a tappy motor is a happy motor, but that's just nuts !!! Sounds like she's in eager and caring hands now tho... keep up the good work ...

👍

VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
Join a car club - get car peeps

My toys
'70 Hillclimb Bug 'Jezebel' w/- Haltech EFI - http://bit.ly/VwTNtQ
'60 KG Coupe - resto kinda started
01 New Beetle - gf's car, but I turn the spanners

Gazza265 Seriously Crusin Dubber

108 posts · joined Aug 2009 · 20 Feb 2010, 10:13 pm

#763532

Right..!!...now I get it...doh !!
In accordance with (IAW) Book 46 Chap 4 Page 23 Para 2 Sub Para 2:1(c) appendix J it clearly bloody well states that I should've had at least 6 beers and read the bloody manual properly in the first place and saved myself a lot of worry....lol
Thanks all for your help...I promise I'll read it properly next time.

PS: only 3 Volksy books here so far..John Muirs is in the post..$15.50 off eBay.

Fixer upperer of daughter's '69 Bug "Oscar"

Cheers
Gazza

jsheppard64 Officially Full-On Dubber

323 posts · joined Mar 2008 · 21 Feb 2010, 2:28 am

#763541

I set mine to 0.15mm (had a bit of trouble finding imperial feeler gauge)
it was tapping before but it turned out to be worn small end bearings
(there was evidence that one of the the piston was hitting the head lol)
but now that i replaced the conrods
Sir Ticksalot is no more.

cheers