Mounting rockers/ pushrods/rocker nuts

PitterPats73 · Post by **PitterPats73** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 3:52 pm

Only thing not stock is the P&C's, I got thick walled 88's. Got new heads too...both from Berg.

Having a heck of a time getting the rocker mounted correctly on my new engine rebuild. Could it be my pushrods or the nuts I used to put the rockers on with?

I put the pushrods back on the same side they came from but not necessarily in the same order.

The nuts for the rockers I did not use. Do I have to use the same type or is any 13mm OK? Same type meaning with the brass surface.

I was looking through my Haynes manual because I've got the rockers on the heads but having a hard time adjusting the valves. I've got Berg swivel head adjusting bolts...would that have something to do with it? The swivel heads will not adjust fully, trying to get them to .007 but not enough distance (space) to get it done. Seems like the all theswivel heads are not mating up correctly with the valve stems. Some of the swivels seem to be at the wrong angle.

Or maybe the washer on the bolt? It is not one of those real thin flat washers...it's one that came in my engine nut and bolt kit.

Something ain't right..I'm getting tired of messing with it so I probably won't finish tonight.

Thanks for the help,
Pat

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73 VW Beetle - 25 yr owner
72 Chevy Truck
95 Nissan Maxima
I keep them a long time!

wchiro · Post by **wchiro** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 5:01 pm

Hmmmm Sounds like a newbie! No problem with that!

Are you adjusting the rockers with the piston at top dead. In other words adjusting the rockers for cyl. # 1 with the #1 piston at top dead center, rockers for cyl. # 2 with # 2 piston at TDC and so forth.

JK · Post by JK » Sun Mar 02, 2003 6:32 pm

Not sure of all your problems, but with the Berg swivel foot adjusters you usually need to shim the rockers out. Berg sells the shim sets or you can get them at any local vw shop usually. Make sure your pushrods are seated and not hanging up too.

PitterPats73 · Post by **PitterPats73** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 6:37 pm

wchiro: i've adj. the valves b/4 so I know that each one should be at it's TDC. I've owned this veh 25 yrs. Thanks, but NO THANKS!

JK: Thanks, the shims were included with the swivel heads and I put them on. I'm going to take the rockers all the way off and put them back on and make sure the swivels orient properly and I'll ck the pushrods.

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73 VW Beetle - 25 yr owner
72 Chevy Truck
95 Nissan Maxima
I keep them a long time!

[This message has been edited by PitterPats73 (edited 03-03-2003).]

JC-ATL · Post by **JC-ATL** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 6:48 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by PitterPats73:
The nuts for the rockers I did not use. Do I have to use the same type or is any 13mm OK? Same type meaning with the brass surface.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They're not brass surfaced - they're copper, and yes, you have to use the same type.

VGM · Post by **VGM** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 8:24 pm

Well, without our search function,your stuck with advice from the unwashed masses-so heres my take on it. 1.The swivel foot rockers are great,but you will need to remove metal from the lower part of the rocker tip to make them work.There isnt enough clearance even with the shims without this mod.Just use a bench grinder and get the lower surface ground parallel with the unground top.Take off only enough to make the adjusters clear.
2.Use a rocker arm shim kit to adjust the rocker to valve stem relationship.Remove all the rockers and shims from the shaft and start over with the new shims.Dont use any of the flexable original washers in the process.It takes some time, but it makes for a better valve train.The adjuster should be centered exactly over the valve stem at 1/2 of full lift.
3.Use the flat(wavey)washers for the rocker mounting nuts.You'll need the extra clearance they provide and the quality of German stuff is always best.Good luck.

PitterPats73 · Post by **PitterPats73** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 8:47 pm

OK, Just got back in from taking the both rockers off and putting back on. On the 1-2 side I could get all of them adjusted. But on the 3-4 side I could get both of # 4 adjusted but could not get the intake valve adjusted on the #3.

Soooo...I've decided I need more shims. I'll get them tomorrow. Then I'll be back in business.

Thanks for the help.

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73 VW Beetle - 25 yr owner
72 Chevy Truck
95 Nissan Maxima
I keep them a long time!

[This message has been edited by PitterPats73 (edited 03-03-2003).]

Post by **Marc** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 9:36 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by JC-ATL:
They're not brass surfaced - they're copper, and yes, you have to use the same type. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There're only four of those nuts per engine but your trans sideplate is probably held on with them....

wchiro · Post by **wchiro** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 1:07 am

Didn't those swivel adjusters come with instructions?

PitterPats73 · Post by **PitterPats73** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 6:07 am

wchiro:

I would do this privately in email but your profile does not include an email address.

Hmmmm Sounds like a newbie! No problem with that! Didn't those swivel adjusters come with instructions?

Please don't respond to my postings if all you are going to do is include some smart aleck comments or response.

This is a forum to help people no matter what their mechanic level or appitude. Everybody else here has been very helpful in trying to help me and many others. If you can't post some thing helpful w/o your smart aleck comments then don't post!

Thanks to everybody else for the tips and help.

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73 VW Beetle - 25 yr owner
72 Chevy Truck
95 Nissan Maxima
I keep them a long time!

wchiro · Post by **wchiro** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 9:34 pm

quote:PitterPats73
==========================================================
wchiro:

I would do this privately in email but your profile does not include an email address.

quote:Hmmmm Sounds like a newbie! No problem with that! Didn't those swivel adjusters come with instructions?
Please don't respond to my postings if all you are going to do is include some smart aleck comments or response.

This is a forum to help people no matter what their mechanic level or appitude. Everybody else here has been very helpful in trying to help me and many others. If you can't post some thing helpful w/o your smart aleck comments then don't post!

==========================================================

===========================================================

First of all no one knows your background. All we know is that you are a 25 year owner of a 73 Beetle having trouble adjusting your valves. Your first post sounds like a post that a newbie (nothing wrong being a newbie everyone had to learn at one time to gain the knowledge they have now) would post asking for help, did it sound like someone who has built performance engines in the past.....NO.

So I asked (quote) "Are you adjusting the rockers with the piston at top dead. In other words adjusting the rockers for cyl. # 1 with the #1 piston at top dead center, rockers for cyl. # 2 with # 2 piston at TDC and so forth." A legitimate question not knowing your background.

You were the one who shot back with a smart aleck reply (quote) " wchiro: i've adj. the valves b/4 so I know that each one should be at it's TDC. I've owned this veh 25 yrs. Thanks, but NO THANKS!"

Then I asked you (quote)" Didn't those swivel adjusters come with instructions?" Again another legitimate question.

If you replied something like: No I bought this new from someone who lost the instructions or gave some other reason and you didn't get any instructions, I would have gladly looked in my stack of instructions for my berg adjusters and posted it here for you word for word. But what do I get from you? Another smart aleck post.

Quote: PitterPats73
"wchiro:
I would do this privately in email but your profile does not include an email address.

quote:Hmmmm Sounds like a newbie! No problem with that! Didn't those swivel adjusters come with instructions?
Please don't respond to my postings if all you are going to do is include some smart aleck comments or response.

This is a forum to help people no matter what their mechanic level or appitude. Everybody else here has been very helpful in trying to help me and many others. If you can't post some thing helpful w/o your smart aleck comments then don't post!

Thanks to everybody else for the tips and help."

So who is the Smart Aleck here? I don't think it's me. Maybe it's you who shouldn't post, you're the one who seems to be posting smart aleck comments/replys!

PitterPats73 · Post by **PitterPats73** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 10:36 pm

wchirco: Why don't you have your email address on your profile? then I could have wrote you privately w/ my objections to your answers. Like I said everybody else has bee very helpful on this matter. And if you thought I was a newbie then instead of making a smart aleck comment you could have emaild me privately with your concerns about me being a newbie. My email address is in my profile.

I didn't appreciate your response and I still think you were being a smart aleck and are being one.

So the best thing might be for you not to reply to my posts in the manner that you do!

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73 VW Beetle - 25 yr owner
72 Chevy Truck
95 Nissan Maxima
I keep them a long time!

Post by **Marc** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 12:12 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by PitterPats73:
...So the best thing might be for you not to reply to my posts in the manner that you do!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Get over it. Why would anyone want to respond to any question from such a whiner?

PitterPats73 · Post by **PitterPats73** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 6:09 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Marc:
Get over it. Why would anyone want to respond to any question from such a whiner? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You can do a lot of things but don't call me names.

Marc: You may have thought I over-reacted to his comments and I probably did (frustration). But I have never called anybody names on these forum no matter what they are doing that I may think is a dumb idea or that I a "newbie" may think they should already know because they are experienced. If you'll look at my other posts I have thanked people for their answers to my questions and have not responded to them negatively when I give an answer or called them a name.

Like I said b/4 this is always a forum to learn, get experience and help everybody out. And that's the way I look at it. pat

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73 VW Beetle - 25 yr owner
72 Chevy Truck
95 Nissan Maxima
I keep them a long time!

[This message has been edited by PitterPats73 (edited 03-04-2003).]

Project66 · Post by **Project66** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 2:53 pm

Wooooooo...out of hand!!!!

everyone step back 1 step and breath...

Project66