" and adding lash caps."

Can someone explain about lash caps?

Larry A.

On Sat, Sep 8, 2012 at 10:56 AM, Tom Carchrae <tom@carchrae.net> wrote:
> Hi Stuart,
>
> My van had low compression on one cylinder when I bought it earlier
> this year.  I took it to a mechanic (here in Vancouver) and he was
> able to restore the compression on my engine by adjusting the valves
> and adding lash caps.  This included adjusting one to 0 lash.
>
> I'm not convinced my engine is well just yet.  I've had a series of
> coolant issues, possible minor head gasket leak, but not confirmed.
> Anyway, van runs quite well, although certainly not fast, it seems to
> have a reasonable amount of power.  I did get overtaken by another
> vanagon going up a very steep mountain hill; after that I started to
> get engine envy/doubt again. :)
>
> The worst scare so far has been starting it after it sitting for a few
> weeks.  Oh the horrid tapping!  A quick Google said lifters are prone
> to draining if left sit, so I crossed my fingers and drove it for a
> while and now it sounds fine again.
>
> Tom
>
> On Fri, Sep 7, 2012 at 7:52 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Well, for those who have been following by email thread about making the
>> mistake of checking compression on my 140k mile original engine
>> (90-150-100-130) I�ve done some more tests.
>>
>>
>>
>> 1.       Valves were zero lash or 1 turn in, no valve noise, timing dead on
>>
>> 2.       Manifold vacuum is 12� Hg with �1� tick (should be steady 17-21)
>>
>> 3.       No detectable vacuum leaks (propane test), all vacuum hoses new.
>>
>> 4.       22% leak down on #1, could hear leakage all three places, but
>> exhaust and intake were louder than the dipstick, with the exhaust being the
>> worst.  (Should have used the decibel meter on my iPhone, but I didn�t want
>> to get it greasy ;-) ).  Didn�t bother testing the others after this result.
>>
>> 5.       Does not burn oil (in 1000 miles at least)  Plugs that came in it
>> were clean.
>>
>> 6.       PO installed reman AFM recently
>>
>> 7.       Idles smooth (as any of them anyway), runs well, no coolant leaks,
>> but has poor acceleration and poor gas mileage (~15 mpg highway).
>>
>>
>>
>> Looks like it�s got some leaking valves. No surprise this rig is worn out, I
>> assumed it was, but I could drive it home at least.  I hope I can get a few
>> thousand more miles out of it so I can save some dough for a conversion!
>>
>>
>>
>> Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but never for long.  I waited until after my
>> planned summer trips to check the engine condition, so I was blissfully
>> ignorant on purpose.  I�m still planning a couple of fall trips nearby
>> though.  What the hell, I�ve got AAA premier.
>>
>>
>>
>> Stuart
>>
>> �85 Westy, purchased in May