All 1971 VW Beetle engines were manufactured with solid valve lifters.
That would be zero valve lash. You only use a feeler gauge on solid lifters.
Assuming solid lifters (as opposed to hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters) you could burn valves if the lifters are adjusted too tight or have excessive valve clatter if the lifters are adjusted too loose.
The valve lash on all OHV engines can be adjusted, no matter if they are hydraulic or solid lifters. It is just done in a different manner depending on which one you are working on.
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On hydraulic lifter engines tighten the rocker arm adjustment nut 3/4 turn after you have found zero lash adjustment point. On an engine with solid lifters set then to .026 cold.
Tapping valves is a noise made by too much clearance between the valve lifter and the valve. Modern engines have hydraulic lifters. If you have too little oil pressure or run the engine low on oil, the lifters will make noise. The lifter can also wear out.
To replace the valve lifters on a Cavalier, remove the intake manifold, valve covers and rocker arms. Remove the heads of the lifters using needle-nose pliers.
Valve clatter, often heard in engines, is typically caused by excessive clearance between the valve lifters and the valve stems. This can result from wear in the valve train components, such as worn rocker arms or lifters, or insufficient lubrication. It may also occur if the engine is not properly adjusted or if the timing is off. Addressing these issues usually involves adjusting the valve clearance or replacing worn components.
That is the gap between the rocker arm and valve stem when the valve is on it's seat and the cam is off the lobe. This would only apply to solid lifters.
there are 2 lifters for every cylinder, one for intake valve and one for exhaust valve.
how to replace lifters on a 03 grand am
If your valves are way out of range you could contact the cylinder head or the piston and possibly bend the valve but it isn't likely they would be that far out of range. If you have hydraulic lifters you shouldn't have that problem. With solid lifters, be sure to slacken all of the adjustments.