David:  Thanks for the explanation.  I was loosely following the discussion
and now, thanks to your explanation, understand the problem.  My lifters
seem to be working correctly thank God.  It seems obvious to me that
adjusting the lifter until it is fully extended is not the optimum solution.
  Hopefully someone will tell us how to fix it right.

David Beierl wrote:

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"

Lance LeBaron
78 Deer Run Road
Windham CT 06280
(860) 450 0726
82 Rabbit diesel
84 Vanagon

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