How I learned to adjust scooter valves (VW pics)

[Stig / Major Tom]

My first four wheel vehicle was this 1969 white over red VW Bus with sunroof.
Magnificent use of space.


Setting the valve gap involved the same principle of finding that cylinder's TDC, opening the lock nut and setting the adjusting screw to the proper gap with the feeler blade.
You just did all this while laying on your back.


DIY, like on some scooters, was easy and the Bosch parts were cheap (plugs, condenser, points, valve cover gasket, rotor & cap).
Gas was $.32

The "Last Edition" VW Kombi, of 600, came off the line in Brazil 6 years ago ---- and the dash layout was little unchanged  after all those years.


Now a 1.4 liter water-cooled engine sat over the rear wheels....


…..requiring that front radiator.


Wish I had one!
That, and my scooters and I'd be content....(yeah, speed was never my thing)

Stig

[Tromper]

I forget what the first year for the water cooled one was.. 2k5 or 2k6 I think.
When those hit 25 years old I may try to score one.
Loved my 71 but thought..a few more ponies and real heat (since you couldn't get a reliable gas heater anymore when I had it)...

[AMAC1680]

The good old days.
As stig knows I’ve got a bunch of VWs and now use this bad boy.
Makes it easy.



AMAC

[CROSSBOLT]

Good article, Stig. Adjusting valves on a flat four in a car is tough. I was soooo glad the two Subaru we had were supposed to be some kinda hydraulic thingy.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Good article, Stig. Adjusting valves on a flat four in a car is tough. I was soooo glad the two Subaru we had were supposed to be some kinda hydraulic thingy.

Yeah, the watercooled Vanagons started with aircooled from the baywindows, then went diesel and watercooled.....with hydraulic lifters. If they made noise....you were to hold medium high revs for 3 or 4 mins to fix it. (advice straight from the VW dealer serv. manager)
Loved that '69.....get thermal coffee mug, gloves, scarf, etc. - power onto the Mass. highway. In 15 mins you'll experience something very much like heat. What's all the fuss about!?
Stig

[Stig / Major Tom]

The good old days.
As stig knows I’ve got a bunch of VWs and now use this bad boy.
Makes it easy.



AMAC

Always envied the guys who had one of those.
My brother used to tell people about my bug.....carried "6 new copper Bosch spark plugs; 4 in the engine, 2 more rattling around in the cooling tin - where he dropped 'em."
Miss him - but hated to let him drive my VW's. He liked to get airborne on our back country roads headed to the golf course. He managed a Porsche/Audi dealership...."Ah, you've  one of those new Rabbits! Let's see what she'll do!"

Stig