Just curious on how frequently people find an out of spec valve clearance. I had some last time I checked on my original engine, but I just did my 4k mile check on my 2056 with brand new valves, spring, guides, etc and everything was right on. That's after a couple of autocross events and generally hard driving.

I want to hear what others have to say...

I've done a SHITLOAD of valve adjustments on water cooled stuff over the years.

The change to 4 valve with much lighter parts and fully hardened valve train parts has almost eliminated the requirement for valve adjustment.

Once I've adjusted a modern car the adjustment should last the life of the vehicle.

A bunch of Toyotas, Hyundias, Kias come with SOB/SUB (shim over bucket/shim under bucket) and many go 300K plus without a single adjustment.

A Honda V6 needs adjustment at 100K and those are old school with an adjuster and lock nut that is similar to the T4.

I did my wife's Oddy at 120. Intakes did not require any adjustment, all of the exhaust were .003-4 tight.

On a play toy like the 914 I'd probably say once a year. After the second removal of the valve covers with no adjustment required I'd lengthen my intervals.

Jake said engine temperature above 400 leads to deformation issues but you're watching your temps so that shouldn't come into play.

Manual says 5KMI intervals.

Yeah, I wanted to be careful and I figured new valves and the new sleaves and spacer and all there might be a little settling after the engine build.

My temps were up there in the nervous zone once in a while till I got the lean cruise stuff figured out.

My experience with CrMo pushrods and swivel feet. set @ zero lash. I run headers so the job was much easier.

They were always on. I check once/year.

Annually
But, I never did go more than 5k annually.

Are they in need of adjustment when you do check?

I seem to find one…but I like them just a hair loose…

My street car around 3-4k
My race car every 2 hours of run time

And how often do you find them needing adjustment?

Back when I DD'ed a 914, I changed the oil and adjusted the valves every 5000 miles.

And how often did they require adjusting? That is my question, how often after checking them did you actually find one needing adjustment on a DD?

Some need adjustment every time I do mine

I do mine annually.
I feel like I barely drove it last year, and did my spring service in June. So I'll do valves and an oil change in June.

Generally speaking, like rich I'll usually find one that is a smidge tighter. and that's probably because I tightened the valve a little bit more when I set the lock nut the adjustment before. For the most part they don't move.

But when they start moving, you WANT to know.

Zach

Same here. Only 1 or 2 needed slight adjustment.

All good information, does a consensus do this adjustment on the bench? or in the car?

After spending an hour on the pavement yesterday, I would wish the bench was an option. I wonder about lowering the front of the engine, is that possible?

Under the car.

Why on earth would you pull the engine to do a valve adjustment.

You also do not have to pull the heat exchangers. Some of the valves are tricky, but you can get to all of them once you figure out the tricks.

What I DO like to pull are the spark plugs, so you are not trying to turn the engine against compression.

And put the car in the air with one wheel on a ramp and the other dangling (car supported with jackstands - be SMART!), with the car in 5th gear. From under the car you turn the free wheel with your foot while watching your valves. Easy!
Zach

I do mine twice a year. Once in the spring and again in the fall - right before my Tangerine Racing heater box goes on for the cooler weather.

After 10,000 miles of the rebuild of my tiny 1.7 I've checked three times, all three times all were dead on (just lucky I guess). On the other hand my type 1 beetle almost always needs adjustments every time I check.

I would make a day of it, oil and filter, air filters, clean the puke box and filter, brake fluid level or change, adjust the valves, heck adjust anything needing it. Two to three times a year depending on the mileage. Shot for 5k miles. It’s a really low car and I didn’t have a lift.