The major purpose of hydraulic lifters is that adjustment is not critical.
Per the book, you take up the slack and turn in another two turns. 1 turn,
3 turns, shouldn�t matter. The lifter can probably accommodate 5/16" of
adjustment.  Hot, cold, filled, not. Basic adjustment still the same.
Tight enough so push rod never goes loose, not so tight lifter plunger
bottoms out. Only concern is maintaining rocker arm geometry. Whenever
adjusting them though, look at the adjuster screw tips. If worn to the
valve tip replace them. Other wise they will chew themselves and the valve
stems until they wear in to their new position.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
vanagonvw
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 9:20 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: sigh..... lifter adjustments?

81 air cooled. The engine is apart, and has been sitting around for a
month since it was last run. Lots and lots of miles on the existing
valve train components.

I am reading all the info on adjusting the lifters, but so far,
everything refers to a warm engine, or one that was run "last night" to
pump up the lifters.

What is the recommended procedure/number of turns from zero lash when
starting from scratch with a stone cold motor, and likely more than on
or two lifters that have leaked down?

Thanks,

John