Volkswagen: PROPER VALVE ADJUSTMENT, haynes repair manual, haynes manual

Question
RON,I HAVE A 1966 BEETLE WITH A 1600. THE MOTOR IS NOT THE ORIGINAL, IT WAS INSTALLED ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO.I HAVE LOOKED AT SEVERAL MANUALS AND SEVERAL WEB SITES REGARDING THE PROPER GAP FOR THE VALVES. SOME SAY .004 FOR ONE AND .006 FOR THE OTHER. MOST INFO SAYS .006 FOR BOTH VALVES. HOWEVER IN THE HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL IT MENTIONS A REVISION OF .008 FOR SOME ENGINES RESULTING FROM BURNED VALVES. THE REVISION ONLY APPLIES TO ENGINES WITH LONGER ROCKER MOUNTING STUDS. THE HAYNES MANUAL IS THE ONLY REFERENCE TO THIS REVISION THAT I HAVE FOUND. CAN YOU SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS FOR ME.

Answer
Hi Lawrence,

To end all the confusion once and for all:

If it is a stock 1600, the setting is .006 on all valves.  It is always better to have the valves looser than tight.

I have yet to read any official documentation about .008, and sounds too loose to me.

My 1600 VW Conv. has 128K on it, and continues to run just fine with .006.

Best of luck, and enjoy your car!

Ron