Valve adjustment, Doesn’t feel right? Options

[John90290]

Adjusting the valves on my 1975 1.8 that I just put new pistons in. I’m going through the process as outlined on a few manuals but for some reason it doesn’t feel right? I’ve never done this before so the manuals I have don’t really have good pictures and the videos and such just say go to tdc and adjust. I get to the tdc mark but feel I need to turn it a bit more to get the valves on the number one to fully close. Also when I move on the the other cyclyndsrs after moving the crank 180 degrees, the ones I previously adjusted seem loose. Not sure if thes makes sense. I don’t want to get it back in the car and have it not run.

I’ve seen valve adjustment discussions on this forum before but couldn’t find them doing the search.

[HAM Inc]

Like Chris said, the dimple usually indicates a sodium filled valve. You should see the mess it makes of the engine when those hollow old valves break.

And the valves aren't the only scary things in those pictures; those springs are terrifying!

[John90290]

Like Chris said, the dimple usually indicates a sodium filled valve. You should see the mess it makes of the engine when those hollow old valves break.

And the valves aren't the only scary things in those pictures; those springs are terrifying!

Most of the replacement valves I see on line have the dimples regardless of their sodium status. Here is one example. New AE Exhaust Valve Porsche 914 912 1976 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=htt...%2F152559390949


Please explain the spring comment if you can. Why are they terrifying?

Thanks.

[HAM Inc]

Like Chris said, the dimple usually indicates a sodium filled valve. You should see the mess it makes of the engine when those hollow old valves break.

And the valves aren't the only scary things in those pictures; those springs are terrifying!

Most of the replacement valves I see on line have the dimples regardless of their sodium status. Here is one example. New AE Exhaust Valve Porsche 914 912 1976 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=htt...%2F152559390949


Please explain the spring comment if you can. Why are they terrifying?

Thanks.

In my experience a dimpled O.E. valve is sodium filled. The same is generally true of aftermarket valves, but I would never argue that exceptions may exist.

The springs are scary, at least the one in the foreground, because it's corroded and pitted. I have a hunch those are the original springs and valves. Any 40+years old spring is scary. Even one that's not corroded.

[John90290]

Thanks for all the info gentlemen! I will try to look for the part number on the valve. Fortunately that’s not corrosion on the spring. Those things have been sitting uncovered on my work bench for a while so they got good dosing of sawdust and other debris from random other projects. They cleaned up nice but I agree, 40 year old anything is bound to break. I’m 48 and can attest to that;)