At 06:29 PM 1/31/2000 -0500, John wrote:
>believe the only way the .006" clearance would work is if you allowed
>the lifter to fill to it's maximum travel. However then you would have
>converted the hyd lifter into a solid lifter which would re-invent the
>cam follower that we got rid of in the '70s.

You got it.  That's how it works.  This whole arrangement disables the
adjusting ability of the lifter by running it at full extension.

If you can't use the hydraulic action of the lifters because they hold the
valves open just enough to kill the compression, then *there's a
problem.*  That's where we came in a month ago...I will once again advance
my hypothesis that either the lifter spring is too strong or the valve
spring is too weak.

Incidentally, there *is* one systematic difference btw the Vanagon lifters
and the BMW/Valiant/Buick etc -- the Vanagon lifters are operated in the
horizontal position, with the check ball on the side instead of the
top.  Any air that gets into the lifter then has a more difficult time
getting out.  But I don't think that really has anything to do with this
other issue.

david
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"