valve adjust 2.0 L

rich2481 · Post by **rich2481** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 6:27 am

Anyone have a sure fire way for adjusting hydraulic lifters? Corvairs you adjust running the engine, The adjuster backs out fine but the rocker arm keeps moving like the spring in the lifter is still pushing until the rocker hits the valves, I know the book says adjust 2.5 turns after free play but I cant find free play

ray greenwood · Post by **ray greenwood** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 8:42 am

Check the recent type 4um posts. I think concenus is to throw the book out. Back the screw off until loose, and advance 1/2 turn only after contact with the valve tip. Ray

rich2481 · Post by **rich2481** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 8:48 am

thanks Ray by the way got most of the vacuum lines correct from scrounging around web sites looking for engine pictures, runs good

germansupplyscott · Post by **germansupplyscott** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 11:44 pm

ray is correct, there are lots of threads on this topic with more details.

here is a summary of what i have learned about how to set hydraulic lifters:

start by adjusting to standard SOLID spec - .006 clearance. this will ensure that the valves are all closing properly. run the motor this way for a bit, it may be noisy, but with some running time, the lifters should pump up - the air will bleed out of them and they will become very hard.

then do the valve adjustment again, cold, turning the valves past "zero free play". how much past is up to experience. some say 1/2 turn past, some 3/4. the book says 2 turns, and this has been proven to be wrong - the valves may never close completely when turned in this far.

it is important that the lifters are rock hard (bled) before you do the last step. if you adjust beyond "zero" with the lifter soft, then it hardens up, then the "hardened" lifter will not let the valve close completely and the motor will run like crap. soft lifters will also be difficult to adjust correctly, since it will be nearly impossible to find the "zero clearance" point.

scott lyons

rich2481 · Post by **rich2481** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 11:53 pm

Okay that adjustment sounds reasonable, After doing Solid cam followers for 25 years, it is interesting to learn something new, and the book did not make sense to tighten them that tight.

Have been surfing the Type 4 site too all morning.