I need shim and bucket help!!

[CajunKenny]

Hi all!

I turned the head over with the cams out and all the shims and buckets hit the floor like a slot machine winning!

The car is an 87 7MGTE.

Any suggestions or directions out there? Possibly some sort of chart or table?

This is the only thing keeping me from getting my ride back on the pavement!


Thanks,
-Kenny

 

[7M-fanatic]

Sorry, but your going to have to do it the old fashion way.

Just stick them in, and check clearances.
Write all the clearances down.
When you remove one that is incorrect, mike it, so you know what size you need for that valve.
Example:
One is too loose by .004".
Mike it when you get it out, and find one that is .004" thicker.

Move the shims from the ones that are too tight to the ones that are too loose.
Then re-check the clearances.

Keep doing this until it's within spec..

And it helps if you have the special tools to get the shims out, without removing the cams.
They are cheap, and available from Toyota, Snap-On, and other automotive tool suppliers.
They consist of a special plier type tool that forces the bucket down,
and a tool to keep it down by wedging in between the edge of the bucket, and the cam.

If you end up needing different size shims,
I exchange them for $1 each + postage,
but it really adds time to doing the head.

 

[GrimJack]

I do this slightly differently, but with the same basic principles.

Measure all the shims, write the sizes on them with a sharpie, and put them in a spreadsheet. Then put it all together randomly, measure all the clearances and put them into the spreadsheet. Have the spreadsheet calculate which shims need to go in which locations.

Then pull it all apart and swap the shims as indicated by the spreadsheet.

I've always built the spreadsheet at need, but one of the members here built one and posted it in this thread in the FAQ area. http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50674

Edit: Seems to be offline at the moment, I've sent him a PM. The sheet really isn't that hard to build...

The advantage to doing it this way is that you don't need the specialized tool. Of course, the disadvantage is that you doing just a few is still a long process, involving pulling off the cams.

 

[CajunKenny]

Thanks guys. Being that I live in rural area and a commute to town is about 40 minutes, I'll try the spreadsheet method.

Both replies were a great help. Thanks for your time!
-Kenny

 

[isnms]

Here's one I made that may be useful:
Valve Shim Adjustment worksheet