[T3] Heads are toast, rebuild time

[Jacob Adam Schroeder]

Over the past 3 months (1050 miles), my average fuel economy has been about
17.79 mpg.

On Wednesday, January 29, 2014, Jacob Adam Schroeder <
jacob.schroeder at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Jan 29, 2014 at 6:52 AM, Jim Adney <jadney at vwtype3.org<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','jadney at vwtype3.org');>
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> It's hard to imagine what would cause all 4 exhaust valves to wear
>> like this, but it's clearly something you need to get to the bottom
>> of. Is your car FI or carbs? What year?
>
>
> I am running the stock FI set up and it is a 1972.  I really do want to
> get to the bottom of this and have been hesitant to keep driving it.  It
> sounds great when running, but I don't like to see those clearances
> tightening up.  Although, if I rebuild, I will not be reusing any of the
> engine internals from my current engine, so maybe I should just keep
> running it and see what happens.  Worst case is I'll be out the money to
> tow it home after it swallows a valve.
>
> I don't plan on reusing any of the components because the case is
> universal, as are the heads, and when I rebuild I'm thinking I'd rather
> have my OG case/heads rebuilt.
>
> Either way, I'd want to get a
>> really good idea of what kind of gas mileage you're getting. That
>> might have a lot to do with it. If, for example, it's running really
>> rich, you could be getting carbon buildup on the valves, which would
>> make the clearance go away. The solution for that would probably not
>> require removing the engine.
>>
>
> I have my mileage log in my car (I left that one at home today), but I
> believe by mileage has been hovering around 20 mpg and that is mostly
> highway type driving.  Usually it is in the range of 18-20 mpg.  What is
> "normal" for our cars?  The day-to-day driving I have been doing on this
> engine is more highway driving than the engine has ever seen.  Before this
> year (when I started driving it daily), it was mainly used by me in college
> (~ 10 years ago) to run to the grocery/liquor store twice a week.
>
>
>
>> The lack of the foam seal on top of the oil cooler MIGHT (very small
>> might) have some effect on both left side cylinders, but shouldn't
>> have any effect on the right.
>
>
> Jim, that is a good point.  After searching many many forum posts here and
> on the Samba, it seems like most people notice tightening on one exhaust
> valve (such as #3) rather than all of them in unison at the same pace.
> That is what is concerning me.
>
> I have very nice foam pad replacements
>> if you get to that. I'd want to check the thermostat linkage and the
>> cooling ductwork; make sure everything is there, working, adjusted,
>> and tight.
>>
>>
> Thanks Jim, I will consider that if I get to that point.  I do not have
> the thermostat linkage in place (the flaps are removed), but all the tin is
> in place.  I had originally planned on pulling the engine to replace the
> thermostat, linkage, and flaps (I have a complete set now), but if I'm
> going to tear it down that far I might as well . . . you get the idea.
>
> Jacob
>
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