Well, that's disturbing...

[DurocShark]

Last weekend I took the new 1835 for its break-in run around the block after the 20 minute revving (1500-3000 rpm, or thereabouts. 20 minutes is a LONG time when you're just sitting there!). 5 minutes into the drive, car sputtered and would barely stay running. I limped it home and there it sat until I got another chance to look at it.

Today I started walking through stuff. Plugs (black soot, to be expected), cap/rotor, carb, intakes, fuel, etc. I was thinking maybe my little electric pump wasn't able to keep up with the engine.

Then I pulled off the valve covers to check the valves. Out fell the nut on the right:

That's one of the valve train nuts. The stud is fine. Only the nut looked like that. I torqued to spec (I forget now, I used what was in the book), and the other 3 nuts are great. You can see the damage that did to the aluminum valve cover:

Well, thar's yer problem!

New nut in place and retorqued. Did another run around the block, even some hard downshifts (downshift chirps! Woot!) and changed the oil and filter.

Going to go for a real drive in a little bit, once I feel like putting the interior back together. . .
_________________
No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.

[Cusser]

I've used 1835cc for decades; hopefully only the nut itself was bad.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[DurocShark]

[Glenn]

Where did you get the nuts?

Did the come with the rockers? VW or aftermarket?
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[DurocShark]

Aftermarket. No brand. So who knows...

It was from this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Beetle-Cylinder-Head-A...2770238664
_________________
No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.

[DurocShark]

I forgot I used the head nuts from that set too.
_________________
No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.

[67rustavenger]

You'll be ok.
If your concerned. Get 4 lock washers from Ace Hardware and install them between the nuts and the rocker blocks.

If you don't want to do that. Just check the torque when you adjust your valve lash. Cuz to have to do that anyway. Right?

Good Luck.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[docdanracy]

I had one come loose years ago after I rebuilt the motor.
Placed a nice lock washer under all 4 and never looked back!
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Doc
1970 Sunroof Bug Yukon Yellow (L19K)
Custom 6.5x15” 914 Sport Wheels wrapped in 185x65x15 Contis
Empi shifter, full compliment of gauges, 1679 with mild cam, stock induction

SOLD: 1974 Marina Blue Standard Beetle undergoing restoration/preservation
1679 with Kadrons and header/QP
914 sport wheels 5.5" ET40 wrapped in 195x65x15 Kumhos

[andrewvwclassic]

You need to clean the oil of the surfaces of the adjuster and nut every time you crack them or it wont lock right.

[busman78]

Never heard that yarn before. Never heard of anybody doing that. Never wiped mine down, never had one come loose, expect it is more of an excuse for forgetting to tighten properly than a reality.

[DurocShark]

I found the video clip of me installing that rocker assembly. The nut just spun on with no fuss.

I feel better, I couldn't help think that I was the problem, not the nut. Whew!
_________________
No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.

[mikewilkinson007]

Rebuilt my motor yesterday. I’ll definitely be rechecking those today!

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72 Super - Marina Blue
1641 AH Dual Port
Dual Weber ICT 34's
Bosch 034

Long Gone: 70 Vert, 66, 68, 73SB, 70, 72, 61 Rag and a 64 with a cinder block in the spare tire well.