Missing push rod retaining wire clips

[Whaanga]

I just keep finding missing parts on my '73 bus.

It looks like the wire retaining clips in the valve compartments are AWOL.
Of course, I'll replace them but what sort of damage or problems can the absence of these parts cause?

Thanks,

Jeff

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Late 1973 Bay w/a transplanted 914 Engine

[aeromech]

I believe the purpose of the wire is to prevent the pushrod tubes from migrating towards that valve cover. If they did you'd get an oil leak. If you don't have any leaks you're probably ok but I'd still try and find some wire clips.
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[SGKent]

what Gary said - they hold the pushrod tubes in place.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Whaanga]

Well, I do have a small leak on the 3/4 side eminating from the push rod tubes.

Time to find the missing parts and redo the push rod tube seals.
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Late 1973 Bay w/a transplanted 914 Engine

[NoBudgetVWGarage]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2141468
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1969 Transporter
1968 Ghia
1959 Ghia Hot VW Drag Car

[Wildthings]

Best to find the retainers, but you can used something like aviation permatex to glue the outer o-rings in place in the meantime. Note that the retainers do not go down inside the tubes, but push on the ends of the tubes.

[raygreenwood]

The type 4 puahrod tube is a "floating" joint. Note that the inner seal end is twice the width of the seal. This lets the inner seal slip back and forth as the engine...case, cylinders and heads....expand.
The outer end....the spring clips....keep the PR tubes in place. So the outer end technically stay fixed to the head under spring pressure while the inner end slips.
Ray