Introduction

If you just finished a valve adjustment (good job, by the way), the next essential step to keep your air-cooled VW running smooth and strong is setting the ignition timing.
On a 1978 VW Bus with the 2.0 L (Type 4) engine, proper timing is critical for performance, cooling, and avoiding detonation.

Depending on whether you’re running hydraulic or solid lifters, fuel injection (FI) or carbs, and whether your distributor is stock vacuum-advance or mechanical-only, the specs differ slightly — but the process remains the same.

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

• Timing light (inductive style works best)
• 10 mm wrench (for distributor clamp bolt)
• Flat-blade screwdriver (for adjustments)
• Chalk or white paint marker (for highlighting timing marks)
• Tachometer or dwell-tach (optional but helpful)
• Shop light

⚙️ Step 1: Locate the Timing Scale and Marks

On the Type 4 engine, the timing scale is located next to the cooling fan at the rear of the engine compartment.

The fan hub has a notch that aligns with this scale. The scale is usually marked:

• 0° (TDC)
• 5°, 7.5°, 10°, 27°, and 28° BTDC (Before Top Dead Center)

Use a dab of white paint or chalk on the “0” mark and your desired advance mark so it’s easy to see with the timing light later.

🔩 Step 2: Bring #1 Cylinder to Top Dead Center (TDC)

1. Remove the distributor cap.
2. Rotate the engine (by hand using a 22 mm socket on the fan bolt) until the notch on the fan aligns with 0° (TDC) on the timing scale.
3. Check the rotor position — it should be pointing at the #1 spark plug wire on the cap.

If it’s 180° off, rotate the engine one more full turn.

🔌 Step 3: Identify Your Distributor Type

In 1978, the U.S. Bus came with either a vacuum-advance distributor (dual vacuum, dual advance) or a centrifugal-only (009 or aftermarket).

🔎 Tip: Always time to maximum advance (28–30° BTDC @ 3500 RPM) for safety — idle advance varies with wear, carb tuning, and altitude.

⚡ Step 4: Hook Up the Timing Light

1. Clamp the timing light pickup around the #1 plug wire.
2. Connect power leads (red to battery +, black to –).
3. Start the engine and let it warm up to normal operating temperature (important for hydraulic lifter engines).
4. Aim the light at the timing scale while the engine is idling — you’ll see the fan mark frozen in place under the strobe.

🛠️ Step 5: Adjust Timing

1. Loosen the 10 mm distributor clamp bolt just enough so the body can rotate slightly.
2. Rotate the distributor slowly:
   • Clockwise → retards timing (mark moves right)
   • Counter-clockwise → advances timing (mark moves left)
3. Adjust until your timing mark lines up with your target advance.
4. Tighten the clamp bolt carefully while watching the mark to ensure it doesn’t drift.
5. Recheck timing once tightened — it often moves a degree or two.

🧪 Step 6: Verify at 3500 RPM (Dynamic Check)

Rev the engine slowly up to about 3500 RPM while watching the timing light. The mark should advance smoothly and stop at around 28–30° BTDC.
If it goes beyond 32°, or doesn’t advance at all, you may have a distributor issue (stuck weights, weak springs, or leaking vacuum canister).

If it’s steady and within spec, you’re golden.

🧯 Step 7: Button It Up

• Re-tighten the distributor clamp fully.
• Reconnect all vacuum hoses (if applicable).
• Double-check idle speed and mixture if you have carbs.
• Shut the engine off and reinstall the cap securely.

Optional: paint-mark the distributor base and case for an easy visual reference next time.

🧩 Common Problems & Fixes

✅ Quick Reference Chart

🪄 Blog Add-Ons

💡 Image Prompts to Include

• “Type 4 VW Bus timing scale and fan notch close-up”
• “Distributor rotor position at #1 TDC”
• “Vacuum hoses labeled on DVDA distributor”
• “Person adjusting distributor with timing light at night (glow effect)”
• “Diagram showing timing advance curve 7.5° → 30° BTDC”

Step-by-Step Valve Adjustment

Introduction
Valve adjustment is a key maintenance task to keep your VW engine running smoothly, efficiently, and to prevent valve/noise damage. In 1978, many U.S. VW Buses shipped with hydraulic lifters (GE-coded engines), but over time engines get swapped, rebuilt, or converted — so you might also encounter solid (mechanical) lifters. This guide walks you through both methods, with clear photos and diagrams to help you follow along.

In this post you’ll find:

• A visual overview of the Type 4 engine layout
• Tools, specs, and preparatory steps
• Detailed steps (with photos) for solid lifters
• Detailed steps (with photos) for hydraulic lifters
• Tips, mistakes to avoid, and a printable checklist

Engine Layout & Valve Train Overview

Here’s a view of the rocker arms and valve area on a VW Type 4 engine (note: this is for illustration purposes).

In each head, each cylinder has two valves (intake + exhaust). The general arrangement is:

• Rocker arms pivot on a shaft or stud and push down on valve stems via a tappet or pushrod
• Adjustment is done at the rocker / adjuster foot contacting the valve stem
• In a hydraulic lifter design, the lifter automatically takes up slack (no fixed clearance)
• In a solid lifter design, a fixed clearance (lash) must be set via a feeler gauge

Below is a photo showing the rocker / adjuster area in more detail.

Tools, Specs & Prep Steps

Tools & Supplies You’ll Need

• Feeler gauge set (especially 0.006 in / 0.15 mm blade)
• 13 mm wrench (for locknuts on adjusters)
• Flat-blade screwdriver (for turning adjuster screws)
• Ratchet & socket to turn crankshaft / fan nut
• Clean rags, light, drip tray
• Valve cover gaskets (if current ones are worn)
• If desired: grease to dab onto valve cover lips (for sealing)

Spec & Engine Notes

Firing order / adjustment rotation: 1 → 4 → 3 → 2. You will rotate the crank 180° between adjustments when going cylinder to cylinder.
Typical procedure: set #1 on compression TDC, adjust both valves, then rotate half a turn for #4, then #3, then #2.

Before you start, verify which lifter type your engine actually has (stock or swapped). Don’t assume — perform a visual check (pushrod differences) or consult engine rebuild documentation.

Getting #1 Cylinder to TDC (Compression Stroke)

1. Remove valve covers and set aside (also remove any obstructions).
2. (Optional but helpful) Remove spark plugs to ease cranking.
3. Rotate the engine (via the crank pulley or fan nut) until the timing mark lines up with “0” on the Type 4 timing scale and the distributor rotor points to the #1 spark plug wire.
4. If the rotor points 180° away from #1, you’re on overlap — rotate another full turn to get to compression TDC.

Once #1 is correctly positioned, both #1 valves are closed and ready for adjustment.

Method A: Adjusting Solid (Mechanical) Lifters

This is the method when your engine uses fixed lash (no automatic compensation).

Step-by-step (for each cylinder at its TDC)

1. Identify Intake and Exhaust Valves
   On the head, the front valve (closest to the front of engine) is usually intake, rear is exhaust (verify on your setup).
2. Back off the locknut
   Use the 13 mm wrench to slightly loosen (but not remove) the locknut on the adjuster.
3. Insert feeler gauge (0.006 in / 0.15 mm)
   Slide the gauge between the valve stem tip and the adjuster foot. You should feel a slight drag.
4. Adjust the screw
   Use a flat-blade screwdriver to turn the adjuster screw while gently sliding the feeler gauge back and forth until you achieve the correct drag (slight resistance).
5. Hold screw & tighten locknut
   Hold the screw in place and tighten the locknut. Re-check the feeler gauge after tightening to ensure you didn’t distort the setting.
6. Rotate crank 180°
   Turn the engine half a revolution and proceed to the next cylinder in the sequence (1 → 4 → 3 → 2), repeating the same process.
7. Repeat for all cylinders

Always be precise — too tight a valve can burn or warp, too loose leads to tapping, power loss, and noise.

Example photo of adjuster area

Method B: Adjusting Hydraulic Lifters

Hydraulic lifters use a spring & plunger to take up slack, so you don’t set a fixed gap — instead you set preload.

Step-by-step (for each cylinder at TDC)

1. Loosen the adjuster
   Turn out the adjuster screw until there’s free play (the rocker or pushrod can move slightly up/down).
2. Bring back to zero lash
   Turn the adjuster inward until the free play just disappears (zero lash). The pushrod or rocker will just settle without up/down slack.
3. Add preload
   From zero lash, turn the adjuster 1 to 2 full turns (commonly ~1.5 turns) inward to apply preload.
4. Tighten the locknut
   Hold the adjuster screw and tighten the 13 mm locknut carefully.
5. Rotate crank 180°
   Turn to the next cylinder in the firing sequence and repeat until all eight valves are set.
6. Run engine & re-check
   After adjustment, start engine. It may clatter briefly as lifters bleed up, then quiet down. After a short run, re-listen/observe for noises.

Tip: After a fresh engine build or when lifters have bled down, allow a few minutes of idling or driving at varied RPM so lifters fully pump up.

Common Pitfalls & Tips

• Always adjust when the engine is cold (for solid lifters).
• After tightening locknuts, always recheck the clearance. The act of tightening often shifts the adjuster.
• Don’t overtighten valves — if you hear a “popping” sound while adjusting, you’ve gone too far.
• For hydraulic lifters, don’t overtighten beyond preload range — the lifter must still move freely.
• Replace valve cover gaskets if hard or glazed.
• Double-check that your cylinder is on compression (both valves closed) when adjusted.
• Always rotate crank in the correct direction (usually clockwise when viewed from the pulley side) — avoid forcing backwards.

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Most people spend their weekend catching up on Netflix or mowing the lawn. Me? I spent mine waist-deep (okay, fully submerged) in public safety diver training with the Lees Summit Underwater Rescue and Recovery team — and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

For the past three years, I’ve been a volunteer diver with the team, which means I get the unique privilege of spending my free time suiting up, strapping on tanks, and jumping into lakes, ponds, and sometimes downright questionable bodies of water — all in the name of helping our community. This weekend was a perfect example of why I love it.

🏊‍♂️ Day 1: Pool Training – Dry Suits and Full Face Masks

We kicked things off in a nice, controlled environment: the pool. (Because you don’t want your first attempt at a dry suit or full-face mask to be in a murky lake where you can’t see your own fins.)

The focus for the first day was getting everyone dialed in on their dry suit skills and completing full-face mask certifications for the guys who needed it. If you’ve never tried diving in a dry suit, it’s… an experience. Instead of getting wet like you would in a wetsuit, you stay completely dry — which is amazing in cold water — but it means you now have another thing to control underwater: the air inside your suit.

Watching new divers figure out how to manage their buoyancy in a dry suit is always entertaining. There’s a lot of “whoa, I’m floating upside down” moments, but by the end of the day, everyone was comfortable and ready to take what they learned into open water.

🌊 Days 2 & 3: Open Water Training at Lake Jacomo

After getting comfortable in the pool, we moved to Lake Jacomo for two full days of search and recovery training. The lake was calm, the weather was perfect, and we had Muddy River Divers leading the training — a great group with tons of experience in public safety diving.

Open water training is where things get real. The visibility in the lake was, let’s just say, “authentically murky.” (If you can see your own hand, it’s a good day.) But that’s the point — this is what real rescue and recovery dives are like.

🔦 Search Patterns & Recovery Drills

We practiced search patterns — everything from simple sweep searches to full team grid patterns — using lift bags and lines. It’s not just about finding something underwater, it’s about doing it safely and communicating with your team topside.

We also ran through recovery scenarios, which meant carefully bringing objects to the surface. Sometimes those objects are just weighted dummies, sometimes it’s equipment or evidence that needs to be handled gently for law enforcement.

💬 Teamwork in Low-Vis Conditions

One of the best parts of the weekend was watching newer divers build confidence. Public safety diving is a whole different animal compared to recreational diving — you’re working in low visibility, often in stressful conditions, with the goal of bringing closure to families or recovering important evidence. Seeing everyone click together as a team was awesome.

🫧 Why I Love Public Safety Diving

People always ask me, “Why would you want to dive in a muddy lake when you could just go to Cozumel or Key Largo?” And don’t get me wrong — I love a good tropical reef dive. But public safety diving gives me something warm water can’t: purpose.

Being able to use my skills to help our community, assist law enforcement, and potentially save lives is incredibly rewarding. It’s not glamorous — you’re usually wet, cold, and covered in mud by the end of the day — but it matters.

Plus, weekends like this one keep our skills sharp. You don’t want to be learning on the job during a real call-out. Training in controlled scenarios means when the pager goes off, we’re ready.

🛠️ Gear, Grit, and Good People

This weekend was a reminder of how much goes into public safety diving beyond just jumping in the water. There’s:

• Gear checks (because nothing ruins training faster than a blown o-ring)
• Safety briefings (everyone needs to know the plan)
• Team coordination (divers, tenders, topside communications)

It’s a lot of work, but when you’re surrounded by a dedicated team who takes it seriously, it’s actually a lot of fun too.

By the end of day three, we were all tired, sore, and probably a little sunburned — but we were also better divers, better teammates, and better prepared for the next call.

🛻 Thoughts After the Weekend

This training weekend reminded me why I joined the Lees Summit Underwater Rescue and Recovery team in the first place. It’s about service, about using my passion for diving to make a difference.

And yes, it’s also about laughing with your teammates when someone surfaces with a mask full of lake weeds or accidentally faceplants trying to climb back on the dock. Because even when the training is serious, the camaraderie keeps it fun.

🚐 Day 1: Hitting the Road – Lee’s Summit to Amarillo in Our VW Westfalia

There’s something magical about starting a road trip at sunrise, coffee in hand, with your best travel buddy by your side. On the morning of the 3rd, Kelly and I packed up our 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus (aka our trusty adventure machine) and rolled out of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, bound for Amarillo, Texas. The goal? Open roads, good food, and a little slice of van-life freedom.

☀️ The Sunny Start from Lee’s Summit

Missouri greeted us with one of those perfect road-trip mornings — bright, sunny, and already a little too hot for my taste. The Westfalia was packed to the brim: cooler, camping gear, snacks, and all the random road-trip essentials that somehow multiply overnight. I swear every time I open the bus, I find something I didn’t pack.

Kelly was in charge of co-pilot duties — music, snacks, and making sure we didn’t miss our turn toward Oklahoma. Me? I was just thrilled to be behind the wheel of the bus, hearing the classic VW hum as we headed southwest. If you know, you know — that sound is pure road-trip soul.

🍳 Breakfast Stop in Oklahoma – Van-Life Cooking

By the time we hit Oklahoma, it was time for breakfast — and what better way to break up a drive than cooking on the side of the road? We pulled into a little rest stop, popped the top on the Westy, and turned the parking lot into our personal diner.

Kelly whipped up eggs and corned beef hash on the camper stove like an absolute pro. There’s something about eating breakfast out of a skillet while trucks rumble by that just feels adventurous. Bonus: the breeze blowing through the pop-top made the bus smell more like a campsite and less like a rolling fridge full of snacks.

Pro tip: if you ever want to feel like a celebrity, start cooking at a rest stop. People look, people smile, and a few will even stop and ask about the bus. “Is that a ‘60s bus?!” nope 78.

📱 Booking HipCamp – The Easy Way to Find a Campsite

Before we left, we’d booked a campsite through HipCamp — if you haven’t used it, it’s like Airbnb for campers. You can find everything from bare-bones tent spots to fancy glamping setups. We went with a little free-range campsite near Amarillo because, well, we wanted the real deal — just us, the bus, and the wide-open sky.

Knowing we had a spot waiting for us took away the “where are we going to sleep?” stress. That’s one of the best parts of van life — you can be flexible, but also plan just enough so you’re not stranded looking for a place to park at midnight.

⛽ Overnight at Love’s – The Truck Stop Life

We didn’t make it all the way to Amarillo before the sun went down, so we pulled into a Love’s a couple hours out to catch some sleep. If you’ve never stayed at a truck stop overnight, let me paint you a picture: bright lights, big trucks, and a soundtrack of engines idling all night long.

Yeah, it was a little noisy and the lights shining through the curtains weren’t exactly mood lighting — but there’s something comforting about knowing you’re surrounded by other travelers. Plus, you can run inside, grab a cold drink, and hit a clean bathroom before crawling back into bed.

We popped the Westy top, let the breeze roll through, and actually slept pretty well considering the constant glow of fluorescent lights. And honestly, waking up surrounded by semis is a unique kind of adventure — it’s like being part of a secret road-warrior club for the night.

🛻 Thoughts on Day 1 – The Joy of the Journey

Day one of the trip was a reminder of why we love traveling this way. There’s freedom in choosing when to stop, what to eat, and how far to go before calling it a night. Sure, it’s not as glamorous as a five-star hotel, but that’s the point — it’s simple, it’s real, and it’s the kind of adventure that makes the best memories.

Tomorrow we’d finally roll into Amarillo, but for now, we were happy just to be out on the open road, sipping cold gas-station drinks, and falling asleep in a bus that’s been hauling travelers around longer than either of us has been alive.

🚐 Day 2: Amarillo Adventures – Cadillac Ranch, Steakhouse, and Rodeo Shopping

There’s something about waking up at a truck stop, stretching out your legs, and knowing a new day’s adventure is waiting. We left Love’s early, coffee in hand, and pointed the 1978 VW Westfalia straight toward Amarillo. The sun was already coming up, painting the Texas sky in that pink-orange glow that practically yells “road trip!”

🌄 Early Start, Smooth Ride into Amarillo

One of my favorite parts of road tripping in the VW bus is those early-morning drives. The roads are quiet, the air is cool, and the bus just hums along like it’s happy to be awake too. We rolled into Amarillo mid-morning and made a beeline for the campsite we’d booked on HipCamp.

This little spot turned out to be a gem — close enough to get into town in minutes but far enough away that you still got that peaceful, country vibe. No screaming traffic, just a quiet breeze and plenty of space to pop the Westy top and settle in.

🏕️ The Perfect Campsite Base

Our HipCamp spot was just what we needed after a long day on the road: flat ground, easy to park, and plenty of space to spread out our gear. We did a quick once-over of the site — because if you camp in a bus, you know you’re basically checking for mud pits, potholes, or anything that might leave you stuck — and it passed the test.

With the bus parked and the pop-top up, it felt like home base was officially set. Time to hit Amarillo and play tourist for the day!

🎨 Cadillac Ranch – The Graffiti Playground

Our first stop had to be Cadillac Ranch, because what’s a trip to Amarillo without it? If you’ve never been, it’s basically an art installation in the middle of a field with ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in the dirt. Visitors come armed with spray paint and leave their mark on the cars.

Kelly and I grabbed a couple of cans and added our own splash of color to the rainbow of layers already there. It’s part art, part chaos, and completely worth the stop. Pro tip: wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on — and take photos, because your masterpiece will probably be covered by someone else in 30 minutes.

🥩 The Famous Steakhouse Experience

After Cadillac Ranch, we were starving — and when you’re in Amarillo, there’s only one right answer: The Big Texan Steak Ranch. Yes, the one with the 72-ounce steak challenge. No, we didn’t attempt it (I like being able to walk after dinner), but we did enjoy some classic Texas-sized portions.

The whole place is basically part steakhouse, part Wild West theme park, with servers in cowboy hats and a stage where brave (or crazy) souls try to down the monster steak. We cheered on a poor guy attempting the challenge — he made it about halfway before tapping out, but we admired the effort.

🤠 Rodeo Gear Shopping – When in Texas…

You can’t come to Texas and not get at least a little cowboy gear. After lunch, we hit a few local shops to check out boots, hats, and all the rodeo-ready accessories. Kelly tried on about 47 cowboy hats before finding the perfect one, and I may or may not have spent too long checking out belt buckles I don’t technically need.

Even if you’re not a cowboy (yet), the shops are fun — the smell of leather, the rows of boots in every color you can imagine, and the friendly locals who’ll happily tell you which pair will last you 10 years.

🌆 Exploring Amarillo Like Locals

The rest of the day was spent cruising around Amarillo, taking in the sights, snapping photos of all the quirky roadside attractions, and just soaking in that Texas vibe. Amarillo might not be a massive city, but it’s got personality — from the murals downtown to the friendly “hey y’all!” you hear just about everywhere.

By evening, we rolled back to the campsite, popped the top again, and watched the sunset over the Texas plains. There’s nothing like ending the day sitting under the Westy’s awning, cold drink in hand, dust on your boots, and the smell of the prairie in the air.

🛻 Thoughts on Day 2 – Amarillo Done Right

Day two was all about embracing the Amarillo experience — a mix of art, food, shopping, and just wandering around. We covered a lot of ground, met some interesting characters, and left with a few more souvenirs (and a lot more photos) than we expected.

Tomorrow, the road would call again, but for now, Amarillo gave us exactly what we needed: a perfect blend of quirky attractions, cowboy culture, and that wide-open Texas sky that makes you want to stay just a little longer.

Day 3: Desert Dreams, Route 66, and Push-Starting the VW Bus

Day three of our road trip was one for the books — full of Route 66 nostalgia, gorgeous desert views, and a little mechanical “character-building” courtesy of our trusty 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia. Spoiler alert: Kelly became an expert at push-starting the bus by the end of the day.

🌵 Kelly’s Desert Quest – Heading Into New Mexico

Kelly had one request for the trip: she wanted to see some desert. So we loaded up the bus, popped the top down, and pointed our rolling adventure machine west toward New Mexico. There’s something about crossing that state line that just feels like stepping into a whole different world — fewer trees, more open sky, and that warm desert breeze that makes you want to crank the windows down and let your hair go wild.

The drive into Santa Rosa was beautiful. Long stretches of open highway, the kind that make you forget what day it is. The VW hummed along, soaking in the sun just like we were.

🍔 Lunch on Historic Route 66 – Del’s Restaurant

Once we rolled into Santa Rosa, our stomachs told us it was time to eat. We found Del’s Restaurant, a classic little spot right on historic Route 66. It felt like stepping back in time — neon signs, cozy booths, and that nostalgic diner charm you can’t fake.

We grabbed a booth, ordered some classic comfort food (I went for a burger, Kelly tried their special), and just enjoyed slowing down for a bit. The food was excellent — the kind of meal that makes you sit back and go, “Yep, this is why road trips are worth it.”

🛣️ Taking the Scenic Route Back

After lunch, I decided to avoid the boring highway drive and take a more scenic route back toward Amarillo. This is where the fun really started. We made a few random stops along the way, including a quirky roadside site with Jesse James’s tombstone — because who doesn’t want a selfie with outlaw history?

It’s moments like these that make road-tripping in a VW bus so special. You’re not on a schedule. You can pull over whenever something catches your eye, stretch your legs, snap a photo, and just enjoy being out there.

⚡ Uh-Oh… Starter Trouble in Santa Rosa

Of course, no road trip is complete without a little mechanical drama. When we tried to start the bus in Santa Rosa, the starter just gave up. Nothing. Silence. The kind of silence that makes your stomach drop.

That’s when we became part of an old-school VW tradition: the push start. If you’ve never done it, it’s simple — put the bus in second gear, get it rolling, pop the clutch, and hope it roars to life.

The first time was a little chaotic. Kelly was nervous — “Wait, we’re doing what?!” — but after we got it running and realized we could actually make this work, she turned into a pro. By the second and third push starts, she was grinning and proud of her new road-trip skill.

🏁 Back to Amarillo Just Before Dark

We nursed the bus back toward Amarillo, stopping just long enough to keep from overheating ourselves. Each push start became smoother, faster, and almost fun (if you don’t count the part where I was silently praying the starter would magically fix itself).

We rolled into Amarillo just before dark, tired but relieved. There’s nothing quite like pulling back into camp knowing you made it — no tow truck needed. We popped the top, let the evening breeze cool things down, and started getting ready to leave in the morning and begin the long trek back home.

🛻 Thoughts on Day 3 – The Best (and Worst) Kind of Road Trip Drama

Day three was proof that the best road trips are equal parts adventure, food, and mild mechanical panic. Kelly got her desert views, we got a delicious Route 66 lunch, and we even gained a new skill: push-starting a VW bus.

Sure, it was stressful in the moment, but now it’s the story we’ll probably tell the most from this trip. There’s something bonding about being out in the middle of nowhere, working together to literally push your way back to civilization.

Tomorrow would start the journey back toward Missouri, but for tonight, we were just grateful to be parked, fed, and ready for whatever Day 4 had in store.