Valve adjustment

vbryanv · 04-04-2011, 11:18 PM

When adjust valves i've read that i need special too to remove shims without removing cams. What i'm wondering is can the shims be removed without the special tools, without removing the camshafts?

Any tips or tricks appreciated.

907mge · 04-04-2011, 11:53 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoGl00gysD4

Although it can be done without the tool, I think it is easier with it. I had the guy at the machine shop do mine when I had the head off since he had more experience with it. What he did was use a shim that was too thin and measure the clearance with the feeler gauge and then remove the cam shaft and repeat for each side. I also had about 20 extra shims to work with that I had collected. When you do find the sizes you need they are about $10 a piece from toyota.

Bru · 04-05-2011, 05:34 AM

First follow the procedure in the repair manual to see if any of the clearances are out of specification. You may not need the tool. Its an S shaped deal that fits in the side notch of the lifter bucket and holds the lifter down against the camshaft so that you can take out the shim with a magnet stick. You can accomplish the same thing with a screwdriver if you're very careful but you risk scratching the lifter bucket bore. If there are a few out of specification you can try and play musical chairs with the shims but you'll need a micrometer to read the shim thicknesses.

vbryanv · 04-05-2011, 02:33 PM

So last night i checked all my vavle clearances. 14 out of 24 where off.I had to measure all valve about 5 times because every time i measured the i came out with different clearances. the 4th and 5th time i measured them i was on the money.

I used a screwdriver and pushed the bucket down on one side while a buddy removed the shim with a small flat head and magnet. i just ordered the shims from toyota and should have them tomorrow. they cost me between $4.50 and $5.50 each and I ordered extras just in case.

I also realized that It was gonna be almost impossible for me to put the new shims in with taking the risk of damaging the bucket. I work for a nissan dealer and one of my techs had a tool to remove the shims, so lets hope it works.

I will keep everyone up to date on my progress and try to attach some pictures soon. i hope this fixes my valve tap

vbryanv · 04-06-2011, 10:02 PM

Today I went to Toyota to puck up the shims i ordered, to find out that they are on back order. What kind of luck so i have. i guess if they don't come in by tomorrow i will try and find a local machine shop and see if i can get shims through then.

anyone on this fourm in central jersey have any shims laying around?

907mge · 04-06-2011, 11:08 PM

Yep, about 20 or so but it maybe tough with the sizes to get the right ones.

vbryanv · 04-07-2011, 12:09 PM

I called toyota this morning and they said all my shims came in but 2. im gonna see what im missing and go to my local machine shop. If they don't have any I will post the sizes im missing.

Bru · 04-07-2011, 04:07 PM

You said you ordered 14 shims. See if any of the used ones will work in other positions.
That is the first thing I would have done. If you have a micrometer (or at least a vernier caliper), Install one shim and measure the clearance (if any) with the feeler gauges. If it doesn’t meet specifications with the feeler gauge, note the clearance and measure the thickness of this shim. Measure the thickness other shims with the micrometer (write the thickness on them with a marker). Use basic math to see if you have one that will work. Proceed with the rest in the same fashion.

vbryanv · 04-11-2011, 05:47 PM

OMG. i feel like a rookie. I was sitting at home last friday and for some odd reason started thinking about my Supra. I was thinking how the hell I needed such large shims. I realized I added the clearance and shims together and ordered the total... without subtracting anything to bring the clearances within spec. I just reordered the shims i needed on sat and should have them by tomorrow.

I guess thats why it a bad idea to always work on your car while you drink.

Green7mgte · 04-11-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbryanv

I guess thats why it a bad idea to always work on your car while you drink.

well yes if you decide to work on it w/o drinking.. sorta throws you for a loop.

04-04-2011, 11:18 PM	#1
vbryanv 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: new jersey Posts: 57	Valve adjustment When adjust valves i've read that i need special too to remove shims without removing cams. What i'm wondering is can the shims be removed without the special tools, without removing the camshafts? Any tips or tricks appreciated.

04-05-2011, 05:34 AM	#3
Bru Bone Stock w Upgrades ;-) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 210	First follow the procedure in the repair manual to see if any of the clearances are out of specification. You may not need the tool. Its an S shaped deal that fits in the side notch of the lifter bucket and holds the lifter down against the camshaft so that you can take out the shim with a magnet stick. You can accomplish the same thing with a screwdriver if you're very careful but you risk scratching the lifter bucket bore. If there are a few out of specification you can try and play musical chairs with the shims but you'll need a micrometer to read the shim thicknesses. Last edited by Bru; 04-05-2011 at 05:37 AM.

04-07-2011, 04:07 PM	#8
Bru Bone Stock w Upgrades ;-) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 210	You said you ordered 14 shims. See if any of the used ones will work in other positions. That is the first thing I would have done. If you have a micrometer (or at least a vernier caliper), Install one shim and measure the clearance (if any) with the feeler gauges. If it doesn’t meet specifications with the feeler gauge, note the clearance and measure the thickness of this shim. Measure the thickness other shims with the micrometer (write the thickness on them with a marker). Use basic math to see if you have one that will work. Proceed with the rest in the same fashion. Last edited by Bru; 04-07-2011 at 04:09 PM.

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04-04-2011, 11:53 PM	#2
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoGl00gysD4 Although it can be done without the tool, I think it is easier with it. I had the guy at the machine shop do mine when I had the head off since he had more experience with it. What he did was use a shim that was too thin and measure the clearance with the feeler gauge and then remove the cam shaft and repeat for each side. I also had about 20 extra shims to work with that I had collected. When you do find the sizes you need they are about $10 a piece from toyota.

04-05-2011, 02:33 PM	#4
vbryanv 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: new jersey Posts: 57	So last night i checked all my vavle clearances. 14 out of 24 where off.I had to measure all valve about 5 times because every time i measured the i came out with different clearances. the 4th and 5th time i measured them i was on the money. I used a screwdriver and pushed the bucket down on one side while a buddy removed the shim with a small flat head and magnet. i just ordered the shims from toyota and should have them tomorrow. they cost me between $4.50 and $5.50 each and I ordered extras just in case. I also realized that It was gonna be almost impossible for me to put the new shims in with taking the risk of damaging the bucket. I work for a nissan dealer and one of my techs had a tool to remove the shims, so lets hope it works. I will keep everyone up to date on my progress and try to attach some pictures soon. i hope this fixes my valve tap

04-06-2011, 10:02 PM	#5
vbryanv 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: new jersey Posts: 57	Today I went to Toyota to puck up the shims i ordered, to find out that they are on back order. What kind of luck so i have. i guess if they don't come in by tomorrow i will try and find a local machine shop and see if i can get shims through then. anyone on this fourm in central jersey have any shims laying around?

04-06-2011, 11:08 PM	#6
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	Yep, about 20 or so but it maybe tough with the sizes to get the right ones.

04-07-2011, 12:09 PM	#7
vbryanv 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: new jersey Posts: 57	I called toyota this morning and they said all my shims came in but 2. im gonna see what im missing and go to my local machine shop. If they don't have any I will post the sizes im missing.

04-11-2011, 05:47 PM	#9
vbryanv 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: new jersey Posts: 57	OMG. i feel like a rookie. I was sitting at home last friday and for some odd reason started thinking about my Supra. I was thinking how the hell I needed such large shims. I realized I added the clearance and shims together and ordered the total... without subtracting anything to bring the clearances within spec. I just reordered the shims i needed on sat and should have them by tomorrow. I guess thats why it a bad idea to always work on your car while you drink.