Tappets out of line with top of valves

[lumbee]

Hey folks! I have a 56 oval that I am rebuilding the top end on. I am reassembling the heads, and when I mounted the tappets I noticed at least one of the tappets is way out of line with the top of the valve. I am attaching an image for you to check out. Note I added the arrow, but if you look at the one on the end, the alignment is not so great either.

While I did completely disable the valves and springs...I did take the tappet assemble apart. I left it assembled and just soaked it in cleaner. I say that to say...I did not reassemble it wrong.

Am I missing something, or is there a way adjust the tappets from side to side to get a better contact area?

Also swapped tappet assemblies on both heads, and the misalignment is present on both heads.

Any info appreciated.

[Snort]

This is normal and an intentional design feature.

[vw54john]

Yep, this "misalignment" actually causes the valve to rotate, thereby preventing a hot spot on the valve and enabling more even wear.
_________________
Regards, John
'54 Strato Silver Oval

[lumbee]

Wow! Would have never guessed that. Thanks all!

[h~moto]

Very many of the VW repair manuals will show three pictures about this. One with no offset, one with too much offset and the third with the proper offset.

[lumbee]

[TSLAVO]

I don't have it in english. The 3rd one is the correct alignment.

[tasb]

Who would need a translator for that!
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[lumbee]

Great info. Thanks everyone!

[williamM]

If that far off I would shim them towards the spring for better contact- that one sure looks off.
_________________
some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!