Date:         Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:30:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Grover's recovery thus far
Comments: To: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

re
"The clatter and power loss was traced back to a badly seated pushrod (or
two) . Next time I put head gaskets on an engine on the bench I will be
sure to do the valve adjustment then and there; it would have been a lot
easier that way."

As you may have discovered, it's fairly easy to not have a push rod seated
exactly in place.
With the engine on an engine stand, you can put gravity in your favor, and
when doing it in the van, ...........there's a little trick to reach down
the push rod tube some with a small screw driver, and left the push rod up
to where it belongs, seated  in the middle of the lifter.  Then take a very
small light, and *look* down in there to visually confirm it's seated
properly in the middle of the lifter. . Cranking the engine on the starter
with a push rod out of place can even bend the pushrod.  If I'm just doing
heads, sometimes I leave the engine in the van.

As for adjusting the lifters on the work bench .....if they are all
perfectly pumped up, fine, but usually ............I would expect to be able
to adjust them somewhat, even the non-pumped up ones, but ultimately, it's
good to re-do the rocker arm adjustments after it's been running a while -
that way they are more likely to be pumped up properly, and thus easier then
to be sure you have them just adjusted right.

I'm glad your back on the road !
Scott



----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Potts" <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: Grover's recovery thus far


> Hi Jeff,
>
> Well, if you're looking for inspiration then hear this: My wolfsburg is
> now back on the road. There are a few minor tweaks remaining involving
> the exhaust and the oil pressure switch wire, but nothing substantial.
>
> The clatter and power loss was traced back to a badly seated pushrod (or
> two) . Next time I put head gaskets on an engine on the bench I will be
> sure to do the valve adjustment then and there; it would have been a lot
> easier that way.
>
> Changing the headgaskets wasn't too bad a job, but it's sure one I am
> not in a hurry to repeat. In fact, two engine drops in a season is way
> more than I would want to take on, not that I had a choice. The only
> good news is that I managed to complete the second switcheroo for a bit
> less than half of what I paid the first time around.
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> 1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
> 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
> www.busesofthecorn.com
> www.pottsfamily.ca
>
> Jeff Lincoln wrote:
>> Thanks Neil.
>>
>> This is the biggest project I've ever taken on mechanically. So far just
>> tearing the burnt out engine apart has been a great learning experience.
>>
>> I'd never have had the confidence to do this without my friend's Brien
>> and
>> Billy - who helped me install the engine I just took out - and the
>> support
>> of this list.
>>
>> I know it isn't really all that complicated but it's a pretty big deal
>> for
>> me.
>>
>> --
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jeff
>> '90 Carat (Grover)
>> '86 (We call this one Parts)
>> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>>
>
>
> --