1.8 Cam index / alignment marks

[BirdTurbo]

Hopefully I not in the similar boat after the oil pan/pump job.

[redline380]

Anyone have a picture of the special valve spring compressor tool in use? I've been using a C-clamp style one forever and through the years just keep making different deep adapters to fit over the spring cap. I'm having a hard time imagining how the one listed here works.
http://www.zelenda.com/VW/EngineTools3.html

I don't mind buying special tools, but I enjoy making them even more.

Speaking of 2-piece oil pans, that's the first thing my machinist friend said: "We need to weld a trap door on that pan." I think the problem is, that most owners feel they only need to de-sludge one time. Might be tough to sell it. Plus that pickup screen was pretty tough to clean, I think the entire sump - front half- would have to come off to be able to really clean the pickup screen.

heres a link to the valve spring compressor you need http://www.toolfetch.com/sp-tools-91...FfFDMgodqnwAKw

basically, it bolts to each side of the head with a bar going over the top and you use a lever against the bar to depress the springs kind like this

[Bruch]

That crossbar setup looks cool. I want one! In the meantime, I'll probably just make another adapter to use the good ol' Lysle C-clamp compressor like walky was using.

[redline380]

That crossbar setup looks cool. I want one! In the meantime, I'll probably just make another adapter to use the good ol' Lysle C-clamp compressor like walky was using.

I tried using a c clamp on a junk head once and it was tough, but doable. it would work well with a board under the head to place one side of the clamp on, with the screw end of the clamp pushing down on a tube with a section cut out to extract the keeper. I don't know walky's method, but I imagine it is quite similar, if not the same.

as for me, I like buying and using tools, so this would be a great addition to my toolbox. luckily, I haven't had the need for a ohc valve spring compressor just quite yet. when the time comes, ill buy one. or I was thinking about buying one anyways and loaning it out to guys like you who need it

edit- id like to add that with the proper tool, valve maintenance can be done with the head still on the block. they make a cool adapter that screws into the spark plug hole that hooks up to air to stop the valve from sinking into the cylinder when the keeper is removed. obviously you cant replace a valve with this method, but anything else can be done. just something to think about

[Bruch]

I have one just like this and have used on everything from Ford and Chevy V8s to Vegas(shudder) to my son's Hilux 22RE. They are just a bit unweildy at times.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post8325830
I have used the air setup on small block Chevys, because they had such a horrific valve seal setup in the 70s, an easy fix was to upgrade to a "new-fangled" umbrella seal. As long as you had the piston all the way up, you didn't have to worry about losing the valve if the air seal didn't hold. They had studs in the heads for rocker arms, so all it took was an L shaped prybar held on the stud with a nut. Aah, the bad old days.

[catbed]

This valve spring compressor gets my vote: http://shop.ktcautotools.com/product...ing-compressor

[Bruch]

Next question I have is about cams. If all the heads on 1.8 T are essentially the same, are the cams equivalents also? I know where there's a head with bent valves I hope I can get for cheap, but I don't want to use a lousy profile if some were good and some were bad. Anything I should avoid ?

Catbed, that valve spring compressor looks like the one shown in the Bentley. I'll bet it would work on the 2.7T, also.

[redline380]

Next question I have is about cams. If all the heads on 1.8 T are essentially the same, are the cams equivalents also? I know where there's a head with bent valves I hope I can get for cheap, but I don't want to use a lousy profile if some were good and some were bad. Anything I should avoid ?

Catbed, that valve spring compressor looks like the one shown in the Bentley. I'll bet it would work on the 2.7T, also.

there is no evidence that I know of that leads to any difference between 1.8t cams. like the 2.7/2.8 cams, the n/a cams are more aggressive I believe. if its any consolation, i'm running AUG cams in my AEB head on my AUG block. it all works fine

[Mad Cow]

Next question I have is about cams. If all the heads on 1.8 T are essentially the same, are the cams equivalents also? I know where there's a head with bent valves I hope I can get for cheap, but I don't want to use a lousy profile if some were good and some were bad. Anything I should avoid ?

Catbed, that valve spring compressor looks like the one shown in the Bentley. I'll bet it would work on the 2.7T, also.

The intake cam for an AWM is different according to ETKA, likely has to do with the introduction of VVT. I'm running an ATW block and head with an AWM ECU and I suspect the cam profile and/or lack of VVT is screwing with the powerband, there's a flat spot around 3k and torque down low is nonexistent.

[catbed]

Next question I have is about cams. If all the heads on 1.8 T are essentially the same, are the cams equivalents also? I know where there's a head with bent valves I hope I can get for cheap, but I don't want to use a lousy profile if some were good and some were bad. Anything I should avoid ?

Catbed, that valve spring compressor looks like the one shown in the Bentley. I'll bet it would work on the 2.7T, also.

You'll be getting cams with your AWM head FWIW. I have a few extra sets, and I think there's a set of AWM cams.

[Bruch]

Ok, you just made my Christmas card list.

[Caffeinated]

Next question I have is about cams. If all the heads on 1.8 T are essentially the same, are the cams equivalents also? I know where there's a head with bent valves I hope I can get for cheap, but I don't want to use a lousy profile if some were good and some were bad. Anything I should avoid ?

Catbed, that valve spring compressor looks like the one shown in the Bentley. I'll bet it would work on the 2.7T, also.

1.8T, 2.7T, 2.8L, etc all share the same basic casting for the head, and valvetrains can be swapped between them. If it works on a 1.8T head, it works on a 2.7T head. They share the same lifters and valves and everything.

The AWM intake cams do have a different profile compared to the AEB cams. That being said, it's relatively minor and is pretty much entirely emissions based, as is VVT. VVT can be utilized to create substantially more power over different parts of the curve, but from the factory it just helps a cleaner idle and such. It's FAR less of a difference between AWM and AEB, compared to the fairly substantial difference on a 2.7T and a naturally aspirated 2.8L.

[Bruch]

Thought I would close out this thread on a happy note. I got the car running last night, smooth and quiet. I made 2 fixtures to mount on my arbor press to use it as a valve spring compressor.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
That worked pretty well, still, what a b#$tch to get those tiny keepers back in place. Had to lay off coffee for 2 days to have a steady enough hand..

I came very close to the $300 challenge you guys laid out for me. I found a very nice new hand-lapping stick at www.goodson.com.

Thanks again for the guidance.

PS. I bought a head gasket set from ECS Tuning, and although the gaskets and seals were top quality, the little condoms you get to protect the valve seals during install, were completely the wrong size. I was all happy they included 4 of them, but they were huge, big enough for a small block chevy. The brand was something like Elrino. Buyer beware.