I'm just about to refit the head on my wife's AAU engine after replacing the bent valves, and I seem to be coming across conflicting advice regarding the tappets and their refitting. Haynes says make sure the things don't drain out as there is a danger of the valves hitting the pistons (huh ! - how the f*** do they work that out ???), other posts here say you should get all the oil out first, others say to submerse them in oil for several hours before refitting....

What's the SAFEST way to refit them ? (apart from making sure they go back in the same holes) ....and does anyone have a link to that guide I saw here about dismantling them and cleaning them out please ?

Many thanks !

Well, I found the link... though it's not from this site ! - http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76499

Don't think I'll bother though... looks like a lot of work to me, and some very sore hands ! I think I'll submerge the tappets in oil before refitting though.... not entirely sure why !

Usually after a head rebuild i put the head carefully in a vice making sure nothing fouls anything. Then i rotate the camshaft whilst at the same time lubricate it with an oil can. Do this for a couple of minutes & it settles the tappets down before fitting the head. Catch the oil with a bucket or a pile of old cloths.

that link to clubgti, good find... will come in handy

glad to be of help !