Valve Adjustments

Here's a link to a video on adjusting valves that I like:

http://www.airheadparts.com/bl...-on-your-vintage-vw/

Thank you that was excellent.

I just did mine for the first time and it was actually very easy.  Once I properly identified the number one cylinder location on the distributor it took me about twenty minutes to get it all done. I've never done a valve adjustment on any kind of engine.  I watched several videos to make sure they did them the same way and then did mine.  The only thing I messed up on initially was not properly identifying the number one cylinder's position on my distributor. The video I watched had the distributor in the one o'clock position as lining up with the number one cylinder.  My distributor  needed to be in the seven o'clock position to align with the number one cylinder.

 

I bought new cork gaskets and a product called Gasgacinch. I coated both sides of the gaskets with it before re-installing the valve covers and after I buttoned it all up I have had zero leaks since I did it.

 

Here is Chris Vallone's videos:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3MgWSXTwWQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isYX7b5r5Ng

Those were great videos too. I think I'll watch them a few times just to be sure what I'm doing. just a question... Is the Permatex placed on both sides of the gasket? 

Where is the best place to order OEM GASKETS and oil change kits. I have a 1970 Pan so I guess it would be '72 1600cc engine. Thanks.

I've purchased stuff from jbugs and CB Performance before and found the stuff to be pretty good. I don't have a lot of experience so I don't have much to compare their stuff to.  You could also find someone who sells EMPI stuff and they should have everything too. And don't forget the oil. Use the "Search" feature for opinions on oil.  That'll keep you busy for a minute.

 

gaskets for the oil sump cover  http://www.jbugs.com/product/113198031.html

 

new screen if necessary http://www.jbugs.com/product/111115175B.html

 

valve cover gaskets http://www.jbugs.com/product/113101481F-2.html

 

oil change kit (different place) http://www.cbperformance.com/P...asp?ProductCode=1780

 

valve cover gaskets pack of 10 (you can buy less if you want) http://www.cbperformance.com/P...uctCode=113-101-481f

 

 

Thank you

With cork valve cover gaskets, I would just put the gasgacinch or Permatex "Aviation Form a Gasket" on the side that mates with the covers.  Put a nice coating of axle grease or whatever all-purpose grease you have on the engine side of the gaskets.  That way you won't have a hard time getting the covers off the next time, won't tear up the cork gaskets, and won't have to scrape off bits of cork with a safety razor and solvent that are glued to the engine.  You will probably be able to use the gaskets again.   

 

Regarding the paper oil sump gaskets, I put Aviation Form a Gasket on all sides of the two gaskets, let it dry a bit, and make sure all surfaces the gaskets are going to touch are smooth and clean.  My experience has been that those paper gaskets can be pulled off intact pretty easily after the engine has gotten up to operating temperature multiple times.  I still have to put some carb cleaner on a towel and clean the sump plate, sump, and strainer to remove old Permatex residue, though, but it's worth it.  There are few things more embarrassing than when your sump leaks.

     

 

Thank you. Good advice.

Even worse than when your rump leaks? 

It "DEPENDS"

Order a set of these for the NEXT time you do an oil change and use them on your sump/strainer.  Do not use RTV/Permatex/Locktite on them - just put them on dry and they'll seal great.  Next time you change the oil they'll pull right off and you can re-use them multiple times.

 

http://vwparts.aircooled.net/S...Pair-VW-2-p/vw-2.htm

Or when your dreams are dry and your farts are wet.

Cool!  Is re-using the copper washers a problem?

Yes.

 

They are specifically designed to crush when used, thus, deforming them in a one-shot use.

 

DO NOT re-use the copper washers.

But if in a pinch, you can heat them up with a Mapp gas torch until they are just about red to re-anneal them. Then after they cool, hit them with a brass brush to shine them up. I have been using the same copper exhaust gaskets this way for over ten years. Exhaust has been off five or six times.

That sounds like a lot of work for the little copper washers used on the oil sump/screen plate studs.

Just sayin' bro.

I wouldn't re-use them unless I had to, hence the "in a pinch" statement. You know, if you change the oil and realize you don't have the new ones, and it's a beautiful day etc.....

The annealing thing works if they're a solid copper washer. If they are a type that's a tubular ring or layered, that actually changes shape as it's crushed, those are one-time use only.

Exactly.