No clearance #2 and #3 exhaust valves

[BigSky]

1974 Karmann Ghia Autostick

I bought this car in July. Body is very good for an Iowa car. It seemed fairly original... but I'm finding some aftermarket crap as I'm sorting through it. The engine is a 74 serial number.

Background... It wouldn't run the day we came to pick it up... the PO gave us 1K off. I figured it was bad gas from sitting, but found the Brazilian gas tank was rusty inside... replaced that and all the fuel lines, fuel pump, bought the correct carb from Volkzbitz and the correct SVDA Autostick distributer.

The problem... when I went to adjust the valves I could not get the .006 feeler gauge to slide between the rocker and the valve on the #2 and #3 exhaust valves. I couldn't get any gauge between, no matter how far out I adjusted the screw.

It had some crap EMPI bolt on valve covers that leaked like a sieve (replaced with original). I thought maybe they had somehow screwed the studs out, but when I tried to double-nut tighten them they seemed fine. I checked the four head bolts that can be seen. All seemed a tad below torque specs, but this still didn't change the lack of clearance. The two valves aren't sticking out any farther than the intakes next to them. There was no o-ring below the rocker, but I don't know if this would really affect anything. Something I did notice is that the valve retainers on these two valves had marking/damage (see photos)

Wanting to get the car started I screwed out the adjusters on the two valves thinking maybe they were just sticking. I got the car started (took a bit to get fuel from the tank) adjusted dwell, timing, carb. I've drove the car about 20 miles, and it seems to be running good... good power.

Clearly the rocker is hitting the valve retainer... any thoughts as two why?

Anyone recognize the markings on the head (brand)? I probably need a photo of the rockers. They look stock to me.

One thing I haven't done is a compression check, but would this indicate anything if it seems to be running good?

THANKS

[Onceler]

Beautiful car. If you have the adjusters so far backed out to where the rocker arm is hitting the retainer, you need to study the valve adjusting procedure again. I'm guessing that particular valve wasn't on it's seat when it was adjusted
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1972 Karmann Ghia

[fes]

Hard to tell without a side pic of those valve springs,but that exhaust valve looks like it's sticking up further than the rest,can you lay a straight edge along the tops of all four and report back?
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'68 Campmobile-Pedro
'15 Golf-Stella Blau
'56 Oval-The Turd (for now)

[TDCTDI]

X2, it looks like a dropped seat or badly stretched valve. Either way, it looks like some head work is due. Do not try to run it like this, catastrophic failure is pending.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


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[djkeev]

Exhaust Valves not able to be adjusted.......

Step #1
Park the Ghia!

As mentioned all valve stems SHOULD sit about the same above the head.

Why do yours not? Why?

Well, MAYBE........
during a head recondition an inexperienced but well meaning person with a valve seat grinder got carried away refacing the seats and took way too much material off.
OR
During use the seats have been burned and pounded recessing them into the head.
OR
Those same seats broke during use and were pushed out the exhaust. (Unlikely)
OR
The exhaust valves being subject to extreme heat have stretched making the valve stem longer. This stretched portion is now stressed and thinner. This stretching most often happens in the area that the valve head is welded to the stem. THIS IS YOUR MOST LIKELY SCENARIO

Why is this a problem? If you continue to run this engine as is the valves being unable to fully sit upon the valve seat (held open by the tight rockers) cannot rotate as designed and also they cannot cool.
As a bonus they also don't fully seal which allows hot gases to leak by them.
As a result the edges of the valves will actually melt away, something called "burned valves".
The valve seat in the head can also be severely damaged by this leakage.
Plus the over heated valve head can actually break of and fall on top if the rapidly moving piston destroying the piston and head for sure, possiblly the cylinder and the rod ...... and in extreme instances the case and crankshaft.

What to do about it?
Minimum, pull the engine, pull the heads and see what is going on. Make needed repairs....... aka a Valve Job.
Many, while the heads are off will also install new rings along with doing a valve job.
Some will opt to go farther, split the case and rebuild the entire engine.

But as mentioned........ STOP DRIVING THE CAR NOW.

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[fes]

[KGCoupe]

[BigSky]

[Onceler]

Well if those 2 valves were adjusted with their associated Pistons at TDC, then yeah they have failed.
I've had pretty good luck with the chinese heads, even ran 12lbs. Of boost through a set. However, I haven't racked up too many miles on them, to see how durable they are, however, the price is right.
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1972 Karmann Ghia

[iowegian]

Consider Mofoco heads. Castings are poured in Manitowoc, Wi and machined in Milwaukee.