Do I have hydraulic lifters or am I an idiot?

[Shinnlinger]

So I attempted to check/ adjust my valves today on a new to me bus but when I went to do #1 it was really tight. Couldn't even get a .002 in there. My engine is a GD in a 77 so should be solid but who knows? I saw a thread on here were I pull the rockers and see if the push rods are all steel with a magnet? 13 ft lbs of torque on retight? If they are solid lifters how much trouble am I in?

[timvw7476]

from what i see, (pushrod diameter, rocker assemblies,)
that is all solid lifter set up. I would do an adjustment to .006",
and fire it up. one more image would help, one closer to the last
pushrod on the right, to see the transition from the steel ball to aluminum tube.
don't freak yet about the .002" setting, .006" won't hurt hydros as long
as you're just experimenting & not driving it down the highway a hundred miles.

[telford dorr]

Assuming they're solid lifters, finding an exhaust valve tight isn't all that unusual. What you need to watch out for is finding one that's tighter than tight (e.g. you have to back off the adjuster 1/4 turn or more to get to zero clearance). This generally means that the valve is stretching at the stem right below the valve head or (in type IV's) that the seat is sinking into the head. My rule of thumb is finding this condition on any one valve more than three times means the head comes off for inspection. Having a valve loose it's head will make you do the same...
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[Wildthings]

The number of threads showing on the adjuster for the #1 exhaust valve is troubling.

Pull the rockers and put a straight edge across the tips of the valve stems and see if they are all the same height. I would bet that the #1 exhaust stem is going to be higher than the others.

[airschooled]

[Shinnlinger]

So good news. The valves all seem to be the same heights. The bad news is I have no idea how to put that bail back....
But I clearly have solid lifters.

[Wasted youth]

Are you talking about the valve cover bail? Each end fits into a small hole in the outside ends of the head.

If you are talking about the spring wire that nests under the pushrods, go to other head and take a look.

[timvw7476]

use a crochet needle or a curved mechanic's pick-
if you fail to seat them against the pushrod tubes they will 'shave' your
aluminum pushrods. Hate when that happens.
EDIT: bolt the rockers down first, get the uppers into the gaps in the registers,
then tug each bottom portion in, the wire runs under each push rod, exerting
pressure on the outer lip of each tube.

[Wildthings]

We each probably have our own way of dealing with the retaining spring. I set it over the pushrods prior to installing the rockers and then seat the upper ends in the slots in the rocker supports as I slide the rockers into place. Once the nuts are started but not run down, I pop the lower ends into place against the ends of the pushrod tube. They push against the ends and do not fit down into the tubes.

Also as you tighten the rockers down you need to make sure none of the pushrods have hung up on the edges of the lifters as they are want to do. I just slowly work the nuts down while spinning and otherwise feeling the pushrods to make sure everything is 100% kosher.

[busdaddy]

[Tcash]

Note the split in the rocker shaft support faces down and the retaining wire locates in the splits. The wire retainer must sit against the end of the push rod tube or the wire will rub against the push rod during service.

[Shinnlinger]

Thanks guys. Is the purpose to keep the tubes in place? I did get it wrong at first on one side but a gentle tug with my needlnose set it in place and yes I had a pushrod not line right up so I had to loosen again and adjust. So valve covers. Little Vw inside upside down?

[timvw7476]

yes, inner vw logo upside down on mine, if i put them up, they weep.