Valve Adjuster Set, Elephant Foot, Set Of 8

OVERVIEW

Upgrade your air-cooled engine''s valve train with the precision and reliability originally engineered for the legendary Porsche 911. These Elephant Foot Valve Adjusters are a critical upgrade for any Volkswagen enthusiast looking to eliminate the inherent weaknesses of the factory-style fixed adjusters. In a stock configuration, the rigid adjuster screw "scrubs" across the tip of the valve stem as the rocker arm moves through its arc, creating significant side-loading friction. This friction leads to premature wear of the valve guides and can eventually "mushroom" the tips of your expensive valves. By utilizing a swivel-foot design, these adjusters maintain a perfectly flat contact surface against the valve stem throughout the entire lift cycle, drastically reducing wear and ensuring that your valve train operates with maximum efficiency and minimal heat generation.

This comprehensive kit from Latest Rage is specifically designed to handle the increased stresses of high-performance VW engines, especially those equipped with high-lift camshafts or high-ratio rocker arms. Each set includes eight precision-machined swivel foot adjusters and a dedicated assortment of rocker shaft shims. These shims are vital for achieving proper rocker arm geometry, as the "Elephant Foot" style adjuster is physically taller than a standard unit. By shimming the rocker shafts, you can restore the ideal geometry, ensuring that the adjuster sits at a 90-degree angle to the valve stem at half-lift. Whether you are building a weekend canyon carver, a rugged off-road rail, or a reliable daily driver, these adjusters provide the peace of mind that comes with professional-grade hardware and superior mechanical design.

FITMENT

These valve adjusters are designed for standard 8mm rocker arm threads and are compatible with a wide range of air-cooled Volkswagen applications, including:

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1950 through 1979 (Type 1 engines)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Transporter: 1950 through 1971 (Type 1 and early Type 2 engines)
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1961 through 1973
• Volkswagen Thing: 1973 through 1974
• Custom Applications: Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, and Trikes utilizing VW Type 1 upright engines (1200cc, 1300cc, 1500cc, and 1600cc based builds)

SPECS

• Product Code: 4010-10
• Adjuster Style: Elephant Foot / Swivel Foot (Porsche 911 Style)
• Thread Size: 8mm x 1.25 Pitch
• Quantity: Set of 8 Adjusters
• Material: Hardened High-Strength Alloy Steel
• Finish: Precision Ground Contact Surfaces
• Included Hardware: Multiple sets of rocker shaft shims in varying thicknesses
• Application: High-performance and stock VW Type 1 valve trains

PRO TIPS

1. Master the Rocker Geometry

Installing Elephant Foot adjusters is not a simple "bolt-on and go" affair. Because the swivel foot adds height to the assembly, your rocker arm geometry will be significantly altered. You must use the included shims under the rocker shaft pedestals to raise the entire assembly. The goal is to ensure that the rocker arm is perfectly level (parallel to the head surface) when the valve is at exactly half of its total lift. Failure to shim the shafts properly will result in an incorrect arc, which can lead to pushrod interference or accelerated guide wear, defeating the purpose of the upgrade.

2. Ensure Valve Cover Clearance

Due to the increased physical size of the swivel foot and the necessary shimming of the rocker shafts, these adjusters sit much higher than the stock units. In many cases, they will make contact with the inside of original equipment (OEM) stamped steel valve covers. We highly recommend pairing these adjusters with a set of bolt-on aluminum valve covers or "spaced" covers. Before final assembly, use a small dab of modeling clay on the top of the adjusters, install your valve cover, and rotate the engine by hand to check for sufficient clearance. Don''t forget to check the clearance between the adjuster and the cylinder head casting as well.

3. Proper Lubrication and Maintenance

During the initial installation, apply a high-quality assembly lube with a high molybdenum content to the ball-and-socket joint of the Elephant Foot. This ensures the swivel remains mobile during the first critical moments of engine start-up before oil pressure reaches the top end. Additionally, when setting your valve lash, remember that these adjusters often require a "zero lash" or "loose zero" setting when using chromoly pushrods, as the materials expand differently than stock aluminum rods. Always consult your camshaft manufacturer''s specifications for the final lash settings to ensure quiet and reliable operation.