Set them to 1 - 1 1/2 turns and re-check the compression.

Those valves won't be opening very far at that clearance spec and the
cylinders won't be filling.

Low fill = low compression = low power

On Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 4:34 AM, Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@cfu.net>
wrote:

> In my archival searches for information on adjusting the Vanagon 2.1
> engine's valves, I see a plethora of information about setting them
> at .006, setting them at 1/4 turn preload, 2 turns pre-load etc., but
> those topics are covering fresh rebuilds that have never been started
> before.
>
> I pulled my valve covers off last night to check valve clearances and
> to my surprise, checking #3 first(cuz that's where the engine was
> positioned, the exhaust must've had 1/16th of an inch of clearance
> and the intake about half that.  A rainstorm pretty much has
> precluded any further checking, but before I do any further
> adjusting, I'd be curious as to  what the list thinks about the
> following items that I've not seen discussed before:
>
> 1. With an engine that has 70-80k on it(Boston Bob rebuild if that
> matters) what should the valve clearances or preload be?
> 2.  Should the valve clearances/preload be the same regardless of
> whether the engine is hot or cold?
> 3.  Outside of sporadic driving of the van and high mileage, anything
> else jump out at you that might be causing a preload/clearance shift
> oft his magnitude?
>
> Compression was like 115/108/105/120 from 1-4 and maybe a leak down
> test is in order, but first, I'd like to get the clearance issue
> solved before I go any further.
>
> thank you very much in advance!!
>
> DM&FS
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27