How to lap valves on your Volkswagen Air Cooled Motor!

[@busman5429]

Nice how to; Back in 1970 during high school I was in a work study program. My job was in a auto machine shop. I would do about 20 sets of vw heads evey week. We got a new valve and seat machine, Van Norman replaced a lot of valve guides and seats. We had the standard valve grinder equipment. . I would do a 3 angle grinds 15, 45, 60. I would move the 45 degree locations Exhaust I go for the center of the valve, intake i would move it to the outter edge . Wish I had that equipment in my home garage now.

[@VWLifeVW]

Very cool!

[@bobcarino9013]

Thanks for sharing your tips, just noticed you referring to 2 as 1. Great video 😊

[@VWJawbreaker]

Good stuff Matt, this was on my video list down the road. You both did a great job explaining the process, now I’ll just share your video.

[@mikem8050]

Mark is the man, love his garage and showing the young dudes that you don't need a machine shop to work on heads Enjoy The Day

[@VWLifeVW]

I'm sure he's going to love hearing that thanks Mike!

[@therussmccurdy2602]

I haven't heard or used the word "Spooged" in a wicked long time!

[@danielbates4137]

Awesome video thanks for sharing no one on KZbin has made such a detailed and knowledgeable video on that method. It was very helpful. Vw life baby!!!

[@VWLifeVW]

Hey Daniel! That's what Mark realized as well. He saw there were no videos on the subject so we decided to make one thanks for watching!

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I never thought of lapping the jugs.

[@jdmeaux]

Tapping the valve springs before beginning the disassembly is normal for most head shops regardless of what engine you work on. This is to remove any slug that may stick the springs and retainers. Good old school methods work best. And using the drill to do all the work makes it quicker. You should have mentioned NEVER get lapping compound on the stem. And don't forget to thoroughly wash the head down after you finish. Moe

[@VWLifeVW]

I thought we mentioned that but always good to know! Thanks for the tip

[@ivorwm2291]

It took me a minute to figure out what lapping valves is...giggle. Great video. Thanks for sharing! That is an easy way to do it!

[@VWLifeVW]

Yep Mark wanted to share his invention with others

[@vw66bus]

Lapping your valves is a part of any good head job!

[@robertingram4562]

What is the actual name of the gray good, you used to do the grinding .thanks ,Bob ,Tennessee

[@dennisc.1189]

Another great tech tip. I would not have thought of that, so thanks for that tip.

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad to share!

[@michaelo1492]

I picked up an old lap grinding tool a few years back, it reminds me if a old hand crank drill or a manual hand mixer, except when you crank it it turns back and fourth and not round and round.

[@VWLifeVW]

Yep the old manual method

[@mayinnlin1879]

Thank you so very much for sharing. Awesome 👏 👍😍

[@Misunderstoodboygenius]

Awesome VW Life! Just starting my engine for my 71 beetle project and may be doing this myself soon.

[@VWLifeVW]

Hey cool to hear we hope it helps!

[@tonypotts3769]

Thanks Marc W! How do I make sure my engine is ready for today's fuel? Something about lowering the compression?

[@VWLifeVW]

Maybe Mark will chime in

[@vw66bus]

Back in the 1980's, I was told that you need sodium filled valves. I think the bigger problem with today's ethanol infused gas is the deterioration of all things rubber that it touches (hoses, seals, diaphrams, gaskets). Note: the blue brake fluid hose is supposed to be good with ethanol. - Peace, Marc

[@martinharris5017]

Don't go wild on the compression. I understand VWs don't need an additive for the valve seats although I add some parrafin (sold as "Valvemaster") once in a while to my fuel.

[@Mikefngarage]

yea like the hose drill trick to spin the valve.

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@vw66bus]

It worked great. The surgical tubing was from an old broken slingshot. What ever type of tubing you use, be sure it is very supple. The stud was from an old head.

[@Mikefngarage]

@@vw66bus cool that stuff would grip on the valve pretty good better than just fuel hose.

[@rembert0319]

your videos make me happy. Thanks!!

[@VWLifeVW]

Your comments make me happy!

[@RichB384]

Marks a cool dude thanks for the knowledge - cheers

[@VWLifeVW]

Hey Rich thanks for watching! Glad we could help

[@vw66bus]

Thanks man, maybe some day I will be not just cool, but Rich too, like you!

[@mileageunknown8910]

Am I The only on that LOL’d at spooged!? Great info! Since I haven’t done much engine work myself but might be playing with a couple that we’ve got out when you guys did the jug to head lapping do you only do the face of the jug where it meets the head or do you also do the side where it sits into the head?

[@vw66bus]

You only need to lap the outer edge surface of the jug that mates with the flat part of the head. Think about how the head nuts only apply pressure against that surface. Also there is no need to lap the base of the jug to the case since you install a paper gasket between them. - Peace, Marc

[@mileageunknown8910]

vw66bus cool! Thanks for the info!

[@VWLifeVW]

No splooged is indeed a funny word

[@SkaterStimm]

To add, you can use a sharpie on the cyl and see if it transfers cleanly to the head. If you see even sharpie on the head you know the lapping was even. Keep rotating until it is all flush and the marker comes off evenly.

[@VWLifeVW]

Oh okay that's a great tip thanks!

[@vw66bus]

Wish I would have known before we made the video. -Marc

[@brcron007]

Good Video Matt !

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@seeyou1812]

Thanks, great infor I need to do that in few days

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad to help!

[@TheStickyBusiness]

Hello! I am still waiting for the video about the tools to have for a VW t1 t2 bus. I just need to start buying and I don't want to buy things that I will not need. There are som tools kit, but probably 70% of what come with it maybe is not needed, I have no Idea I am just guessing, so It would be great to know exactly what is needed to compare some tool kits with buying just the necessary separately. :)

[@VWLifeVW]

Yes we film the episode on what tools to carry last week we are editing it now it should be out either this week or next week stay tuned

[@TheStickyBusiness]

Awesome! Thanks for letting me know :)

[@Doubleodude]

Very cool thanks for sharing.

[@VWLifeVW]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching

[@snake_eyes_garage]

Thanks Marc - that was excellent! 👍

[@fasterlaster]

I got a big kick out of the base used for the magnetic light (axle nut impact tool)

[@VWLifeVW]

Yep we use that all the time. Works great!

[@greybeardsharpsword4626]

Crude, but effective. Simple backwoods methods of patching things up until you can get the proper repairs done properly. I have been a VW air-cooled mechanic for over 45 years and this still hurts to watch.

[@VWLifeVW]

Awesome where do you work?

[@guxyguy7909]

Why whats up with his technique?

[@fuscavw1]

What proper repairs need to be done, oh wise one?

[@carlosjimz]

I figured out My first valve lapping with a drill when I was 11 years old, 45 years later I still use a drill for grease grinding those things, of course I am not a mechanic

[@oldmancrow6676]

Thanks for making this video y’all. I learned something today. Now all I need to do is find a bug to buy and build. Anyone know of a fairly decent 67 and older bug for sale let me know.

[@VWLifeVW]

What part of the world are you in? Have you checked Craigslist in the samba?

[@oldmancrow6676]

VW Life I live on the east side of Houston in refinery row. I stalk both CL and thesamba plus I’m a member of several VW buy and sell groups on FB. I’m kind of picky about what I want. Of course anyone buying an old VW should be a little picky. Take that fastback y’all went and looked at the had Swiss cheese for metal in the engine bay. I’m looking for anything 67 and older. Doesn’t necessarily have to be cancer free as my wife and I want to restore it but I also don’t want a complete rust bucket. I found a guy in Devine that has a bunch of old VDubs on his land but that’s kind of fair for us to drive. Especially since we don’t have a tow bar on our Toyota Camry. Lol. I’m keeping my eyes open for something kind of local. Within an hour or two drive.

[@VWLifeVW]

yeah we know him. Keep looking you'll find something!

[@tomdale1313]

the expertise is visually lookin for cracks, bend stems and whatever the experts look for

[@gustavopadilla9176]

Aircoler for life from 64vw of nj

[@snake_eyes_garage]

Amen brother! ✌️

[@johnflynn9463]

View # 825 at 11:28 AM on 3/18/19 - NJ

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

Clover Grease 1 lb Lapping & Grinding Compound... i dis like that stuff in that tube i bought it and even the package say lol use 2 different grits heck i could not read what grit they squirted in the tube so i ordered clover stuff off z ebay

[@VWLifeVW]

Ah okay cool thanks for sharing!

[@stephencallero8644]

So what grit lapping compound do you think works best? Stephen...

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

@@stephencallero8644 240 to clean up valves you know one can buy aluminium oxide [ebay] grit powder n mix with grease .i will be doing it soon so i can have the lot of grits affordable in a amount that will be around for some time

[@garyhinkle4917]

It looked like the "Camera guy" had to take a whiz. Couldn't hold the camera still.

[@altegra_motors1252]

Hey send mee sticker in lithuenia :DD

[@aussiefarmer8741]

Loose the drum machine music it sucked. Vid content was good .