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Subject:Re: Bummed and need advise about my 87 Vanagon
Date:Tue, 18 Aug 1998 10:50:25 EDT

Here is what I did.  Put motor at TDC. Remove your ignition cap and note that
the rotor should be pointing at a notch in the distributor body.  Remove the
rocker arm assembly.  Center the pushrods and then hold them in place by
putting slight pressure on them with your hand.
Adjust the screws on the rocker arm assembly all the way out.  Now put the
assembly back on.  Adjust the two screws for number 1 cylinder only (what I do
is tighten them until you just barely can't turn the push rods between the
tips of your thumb and index fingers, then tighten the screws the required two
180 degree turns.  Now turn the motor clockwise until the rotor is pointing
180 degrees from TDC and adjust that cylinder (number 4) then go 90 degrees
(number 2 cylinder) adjust it and then 180 degrees (number 3) and adjust it.
If you can't turn the pushrod with your fingers with the screws adjusted all
the way out then the pushrod is not centered properly and you need to maybe
loosen the rocker assembly enough so you can pop the push rod up where it
belongs (pry gently on the rod with a screw driver).
Don't feel too bad.  This process of adjusting the pushrods can be a major
pain even for experienced mechanics.
Let me know if you need any more help.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16