When checking valve clearance..

[Morrison]

I put the exhaust came in position "A" exhaust cam for cyl 2 still isnt relieved from the valve.. Cant I basically put each lobe into a position where the valve is closed completely, then use my feeler gauge to check clearance? Engine is a 78 1000.. Thanks, Jim

[tkent02]

I put the exhaust came in position "A" exhaust cam for cyl 2 still isnt relieved from the valve..

Put in a smaller shim and try it again.

[Morrison]

Put in a smaller shim and try it again.

That would mean ordering from the shim club.. should I have gotten a ton of different sizes? I only went .05 smaller for each one that were tight.. So basically your saying I cant put each lobe facing up and checking?

[tkent02]

No they don't read correctly. The problem is that the cam is being pushed up by the valve spring in the adjacent cylinder, there is enough slop in the cam bearing that the cam can move up quite a ways and updset your clearance reading. Doing it in pairs eliminates this problem.
Did you order any of the size shims this one needs? You can borrow it and put it back later, order what you think you need, and get it all right next weekend.

[Morrison]

No they don't read correctly. The problem is that the cam is being pushed up by the valve spring in the adjacent cylinder, there is enough slop in the cam bearing that the cam can move up quite a ways and updset your clearance reading. Doing it in pairs eliminates this problem.
Did you order any of the size shims this one needs? You can borrow it and put it back later, order what you think you need, and get it all right next weekend.

Yep im gonna have to call it a night, just read about the false readings from the othrr valves "flexing" the came. The current shim was a 2.85, I got a 2.80.. should I get a 2.75 and 2.70? And so on for any other shims that are too tight?

[tkent02]

Well, you should have mostly shims in the same range in your engine, so maybe two or three spares gives you enough flexibility to get all of the valves within limits. Don't forget the ones you take out are still good somewhere else.. Plan ahead, maybe two extras and the next size down for most of the ones you have, and it should go without a hitch. Or put in the one a single size smaller than what's in it, measure and if it's barely within spec or even close to it run it, while you order the correct one and fix it later.

[tkent02]

Had I known I could have tossed in a dozen shims with the pipe this morning and had you covered.

[Morrison]

Yes Tom I should have done this a couple days ago, and you coukd have given me some. When I need shims I always mail back the ones I dont need, shoukd I be keeping them? But on a good note I went from having 5 too tight to only 2. So im getting there. Thanks for your help Tom.

[tkent02]

I always keep them, but I want to have at least three of every size and six to eight of the most common. I hate being without one and having to finish up later. I have a bunch of them now, several of each from 2.15 to 2.85, one advantage of living near Ray.

He even hooked me up with a cool little plastic box to keep them all sorted out.

How much too tight are the two tight ones now?

[Morrison]

I always keep them, but I want to have at least three of every size and six to eight of the most common. I hate being without one and having to finish up later. I have a bunch of them now, several of each from 2.15 to 2.85, one advantage of living near Ray.

He even hooked me up with a cool little plastic box to keep them all sorted out.

How much too tight are the two tight ones now?

I couldnt fir my .038 feeler in..

[tkent02]

OK, does the shim spin freely in the bucket when the cam in the position for checking those valves? Or is it stuck?

[Morrison]

OK, does the shim spin freely in the bucket when the cam in the position for checking those valves? Or is it stuck?

Pretty sure it didnt. Its already back apart now so I cant go check..

[tkent02]

OK, well you are on th right track and you know what to do and how to do it.

Persevere!