Neil
I have never found a set of aftermarket type 2 solid lifters that match the
OEM  hydraulic or solid cam due to incompatible materials. When I do rebuild
the early type 2 engines and I do use solid lifters they are always reground
OEM lifters. You can go use a hydraulic cam profile on a solid lifter engine
I do it on all the time on my type 1 industrial air-cooled zamboni engines
with a 2.1 WBX profile. I am a big fan of Marvel mystery oil when used one
or two heat cycles before an oil change to keep the byproducts of combustion
(varnish and so on ) from accumulating in the crankcase. I think backing off
the valve adjustment is a great tool to both clean and purge the air from a
lifters and attempt preloading when all symptoms have subsided. It can take
10 miles of city driving to have a lifter quiet down when the van has sat
for an extended time this does not mean that you have a problem. I also do
not advise starting the van once a week in the off season this washes the
oil off the cylinder walls and promotes premature ring wear.

Bob Donalds
Boston Engine

----- Original Message -----
Tom: "neil" <goofymuso@YAHOO.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 9:00 PM
Subject: Re: Replace Hydraulic lifters with solid lifters?

> Yah, that makes sense.
>
> I haven't adjusted the valves (preloaded) yet. Since
> it's likely air is present in lifter(s), I will do as
> Bentley says and set valve adjuster screws to .006",
> to see if that helps. If so, I will preload them. If
> not, I will take out lifters on passenger side (I
> could hear/feel noise there) and see who needs
> cleaning/replacing.
>
> And people, If any of logic/methods don't make sense
> (the world of hydraulic lifters is new to me), please
> advise!
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Neil.
>
>
> --- chris <vanagon@FRONTLEFTSPEAKERPOSSE.COM> wrote:
>
>> It is my understanding that you cannot change to
>> solid lifters without
>> changing the camshaft as well.
>>
>>
>> Try readjusting them to 2 full turns, if you have
>> been doing just 1 or
>> 1.5 and see if that helps build up pressure more
>> quickly/efficiently.
>>
>> good luck,
>> chris
>>
>>
>> neil wrote:
>> > Hi all.
>> >
>> > Did some reading in archives about lifters (found
>> > Boston Bobs tech pages. Good stuff!) and gleaned
>> info
>> > that may help.
>> >
>> > Here's what's happening:
>> >
>> > van sits unstarted for more than a week, a pretty
>> > noisy lifter happens. It happened before, the
>> noise
>> > went away and it may do so this time too, but upon
>> > taking it on highway for short (1 km) boot, noise
>> > didn't go away. In fact I lost power for a short
>> bit.
>> > (valves not opening properly I'm sure). Noise
>> happens
>> > through entire RPM range. Oil must be draining out
>> of
>> > lifter and isn't coming up to pressure, so too
>> much
>> > clearance in valve train. Blah blah blah....
>> >
>> > Can I replace stock hydraulic lifters with solid
>> ones?
>> > Is this a bad idea?
>> >
>> > Are solid lifters even available for the air
>> cooled 2
>> > litre?
>> >
>> > My theory is that since I don't drive it every
>> week, I
>> > could eliminate this problem. But hey; maybe I
>> could
>> > just start it every few days..... ;^)
>> >
>> >
>> > Cheers and TIA,
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Neil Nicholson.
>> > 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.
>> >
>> > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>> >
>> > __________________________________________________
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Chris
>> '81 (AC) Vanagon Westfalia 'Rocky'
>> nor*cal
>>
>> frontleftspeakerposse.com
>>
>
>
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