valve lash adjustment shims questions

[Facime]

Ok, so I got my cams in and go to check the valve lash clearence and they are all over the place. From 0.0 clearence to as much as .016. The odd thing to me is that with only a few exceptions they are too "tight". I tried to reason it out and figured it was because they were never set properly after someone did a valve grind on it?

Well so I carefully took everything apart keeping everything in order, and then Mic'd the shims. I was able to do a bit of mixing and matching and suprisingly got almost all the valves set up with the right sized shims. I still have a few that I need smaller shims for, but here is where my question comes in. I dont suppose there is some way to take material off from somewhere to "loosen" the clearance? end of the valve stem? bottom of the lifter?

barring that "quick fix" I suppose getting the right sized shims is in order. Has anyone ordered these from Champion and know the numbering system? Basically I have 6 or 8 shims that are .113 and I need them around .110

on a final note, are the shims in the NA the same?

 

[supraguy@aol]

on a final note, are the shims in the NA the same?

I think that they are all the same. And I think that the only safe way to loosen the clearances is by swapping shims.

 

[RacerXJ220]

I've ordered shims from Champion, very painless. Not too pricey. Tighter clearances won't hurt much, except you may leak a bit depending on what cams you use.

How many of what size do you need? I have extras. List the number and what size you need, and see if people reply with what they have.

 

[3p141592654]

You can grind the valve stems if you need to add clearance but it is best done on a lathe with a tool post grinder.

The shim sizes are all defined here (T=x is the thickness in mm).

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/EPC/291420/Parts/13753.aspx

They run about $6 each. Last time I did this the local dealer actually had a few (leftover) shims in stock, but most dealers subcontract head work out these days.

 

[3p141592654]

Since your head is apart, be sure to plastigage the cam journals, especially the rear ones on the exhaust side. See this thread for details.

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34673

 

[suprarich]

You can have stock shims reground to any thickness you need. You would use a horizontal auto feed table grinder with a magnetic table. Most machine shops would have one. I used to operate one back in the early 90's

 

[Facime]

wow, what excellent responces. I was pretty sure just swapping shims was the only way but I just wanted to check first. If Champion turns out to be the only place locally to get them its 1.5 hours by bus (1 way) to get over to them. (Cities this big should be required by federal mandate to have a REASONABLE mass transit system.)

If the NA's are the same (I sorta suspected they would be) then I know where I can find a couple in the pick-a-part yards, but those are also on the other side of town.

The alternative is that I have at least two machine shops that are real close. I only need a few thou off each one. I'll figure something out tomorrow. Thanks for the quick tips on this process. Last time I adjusted lash was with a 12mm box end wrench and screwdriver. These shims are for the birds.

 

[Jaguar_5]

The local toyota dealership here told me i could just bring in my old shims, bring my own caliper, and just swap with them whichever ones I needed

 

[bigaaron]

I have a box of about 60 shims, we could trade. Figure out what you need, and I will trade straight across. The shipping would only be about $5 because they can go in an envelope. LMK! Measure them in inches please, that's easier to figure out and measure.

 

[Facime]

Thanks Aaron thats a nice offer but I was hoping to have my motor in before the weekend was over. If I end up putting this off and saving the install for later next week, I'll take ya up on that.

 

[bigaaron]

I think Toyota gets $8+ each, so I figured it would save you some money.

 

[Facime]

Yeah it would save me money and Im pretty much on rags now with this build. However I think a set of shims are going to accidentally fall into my toolbox at the pick-a-part yard

 

[starscream5000]

However I think a set of shims are going to accidentally fall into my toolbox at the pick-a-part yard

 

[supraguy@aol]

I have a box of about 60 shims, we could trade. Figure out what you need, and I will trade straight across. The shipping would only be about $5 because they can go in an envelope. LMK! Measure them in inches please, that's easier to figure out and measure.

Dude- I might be in touch with you about that in a couple of weeks.
:icon_bigg

 

[suprarich]

On the UK site, they have a sticky for a traveling shim pool. I think that would be a great idea for this site as well. Take what you need and replace the ones you take with the ones replaced. It could just be mailed to each good standing member from the last person who had it when needed.