If there's no noticable deterioration in performance it's probably lifters.
How long is "never"? It can take more than half an hour of normal running
for lifter clatter to go away - it never fails to make us nervous, but it
always goes away eventually, if it's lifters. What oil are you using? You
can try bumping up the viscosity (go from a 15W40 to a 20W50 for example).
An almost sure-fire remedy (short of a new engine case, which I feel is what
would ultimately solve this particular problem in most cases) is to drain a
quart of oil and replace it with good ol' STP oil treatment, or any other
viscosity enhancer. If STP, get the stuff in the blue plastic bottle for
"older" cars, you'll need two. I wouldn't neglect to look at the valve train
though... I have pulled the lifters out, disassembled, cleaned and filled
them by hand and made the noise go away before. Even new lifters will behave
this way so I can't really advise you to "just replace them while you've got
'em out, especially since I don't feel good about replacing lifters on an
old cam anyway.

Coby Smolens, Owner
Valley Wagonworks
"Intimately acquainted with VW Vans since 1959"
1535 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Phone: (415) 457-5628
Fax: (415) 457-0967
http//:wagonworks.com
mailto:contact@wagonworks.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Mark Kazman
Sent: Friday, June 04, 1999 7:27 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Loud Tapping Sound

Hi All,
I just bought an 81' westfilia, and spent some time getting it in shape
for our first family outing, when I started it this morning I got a loud
tapping sound from the engine. I thought it was the lifters needing to
pump up a bit, but it never stopped. I am wondering if this is a very
serious and expensive fix, and if its safe to drive it in this condition
to a qualified VW mechanic; 10-12 miles away, or will this cause more
extensive damage to the engine?
Also does any one have a bently manual they want to sell real cheap.
Any help in fixing this myself would be appriciated because I just
depleated our savings buying and getting our van in shape.
Thanks

Mark Kazman