David - thanks for the encouragement. all fingers and both thumbs still intact so I'll be diving in at weekend. the line drawings are adequate to a point and no mention of the seating of the rod into the lifter. was hoping for a balance all of the rods on a popsicle stick while fitting the arm assembly kind of salvation. knew it wasn't possible , but, knowing where the bull's eye is should make it an easier shot. � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � take care, be well and `wagen on � � mike

________________________________
 From: David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
To: MICHAEL H <vwdash80@YAHOO.COM> 
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 1:02 AM
Subject: Re: push rod tube seals
 

At 11:57 PM 6/9/2013, MICHAEL H wrote:
>85, 1.9l - has a replacement collapsible push rod tube in re-usable 
>condition. the seals need to be replaced as the block end is 
>leaking. looks like a simple procedure via Bentley.
>suggested things to be aware of and or avoid would be greatly 
>appreciated.� � � mike - on the road of life one learning curve 
>after another� �  =(:D)

When you're replacing the rocker arms you have four push rods to keep 
track of whilst offering up the rocker arm assembly to the head.� For 
each push rod you have to get slight pressure on it then lift the 
inner end so you can feel it slide over the lip of the hydraulic 
lifter into the central depression.

Take all the time and retries you need to be confident that all four 
push rods remain seated until you get to the point where the 
available slack on each rocker arm is smaller than the distance the 
push rod has to back off to fall out of the lifter (might be an 
eighth of an inch?).� With a light touch you can lift the push rod 
slightly and feel it move freely within the lifter cavity, a 
noticeably different feeling than when it's trapped against the 
lifter edge.� If you have good hands you'll be able to feel this 
stuff out easily.

I think newer adjusting screws are built with a smaller end that 
doesn't overlap the valve stem, so that when they get pounded they 
won't develop unevenness across their faces.� I think newer rocker 
arms also have a small internal oil passage that oozes oil to 
lubricate the screw/valve stem contact faces.� That is to say my '84 
1.9l had neither of these things, and I've seen more recent ones with 
both.� My guess would be it's a 1.9/2.1l changeover.

Yours,
David