Adjusting Valve Shims

f00g00 · 02-09-2008, 07:37 AM

Check your clearances first before even think of removing the shims. Also the condition of the cam lobes while the cover is off.
I tried this one time a couple of engines ago and ordered the tools while in the USA and brought them back to kuwait. I checked the clearances, did the math and orded the shims from the dealer. Well they all ended up too tight so I threw the math out the window and went a little smaller than what the math called for till they were all good. A short time later the head gasket went so all for naught.
I still have the tools though. Its a micrometer and a special pair of curved pliers to compress the bucket so you can remove the shim. I think I used a magnet to pull the shim out and its a one man job with the right tools. I think the tools were less that 70 dollars.
You could also get shims from the junkyards to have extras around.

02-09-2008, 07:37 AM	#7
f00g00 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kuwait Posts: 292	Check your clearances first before even think of removing the shims. Also the condition of the cam lobes while the cover is off. I tried this one time a couple of engines ago and ordered the tools while in the USA and brought them back to kuwait. I checked the clearances, did the math and orded the shims from the dealer. Well they all ended up too tight so I threw the math out the window and went a little smaller than what the math called for till they were all good. A short time later the head gasket went so all for naught. I still have the tools though. Its a micrometer and a special pair of curved pliers to compress the bucket so you can remove the shim. I think I used a magnet to pull the shim out and its a one man job with the right tools. I think the tools were less that 70 dollars. You could also get shims from the junkyards to have extras around.