79 2000 Valve adjustment

[barnesjtsl]

I have read throught the posts and the valve adjustment looks pretty cut and dry.

The one thing I haven't found yet is how to tell the thickness of the existing shim so as to add the clearance and order the correct shim? Do I have to take the existing shim out and measure it with a micrometer, or are the shims stamped somewhere with their thickness?

Thanks,

jb

[divace73]

Both, some shims 'may' have a marking on it but often it has been 'worn' out, it is best to measure.
Just working out what you gap should be minus/plus what it is, then compare it to what shim is in there.
Having the special tool helps.
Hope this helps

[narfire]

I use the table found in IAP's catalog. It helps keeping things straight/ organized. I use a digital caliper,I don't believe it is anywheres near top of the line but it works just fine. You have to take the existing shim out to see what its thickness is. Tip... when you are first checking the clearance, there are two small recesses in the bucket the shim sits in. If the recess is not front and center just spin the bucket till it is at the front. When you have the shim tool in and the bucket is held down,you won't be able to spin the bucket. The recess allows you to get a pokie thing in there and pop the shim out. Also one of those small magnets on a collapsable rod help pull the shim out once it is loose and also placing a shim.
Have fun... a several installation fluid task
Chris

[barnesjtsl]

Thanks guys. Sounds like it is a task that will leave the car off the road for a few days (ordering the shimes), but I don't drive it daily anyway.

I'll have the installation fluid on ice.

Thanks again,

jb

[puddin]

i checked the gap on my 1800 motor and found all gaps to be ok -- anyway i noticed the "buckets spin"

is ok to leave them where ever they end up or is the hole "front and center" required to line up???

i didn't think so because the buckets would get a constant wear on them in one spot -- so i figured they are allowed to spin while the engine runs == right???

[narfire]

I believe the buckets can/do move and no big deal if the recess is not front center while running.

[SouthSwedeSpider]

Yes, I'm sure they will rotate while driving. When I rechecked my valves (one year after first check), they were all in various positions. I did not mind putting the bucket holes in any special position, and my car still runs...

When I cheched my valves for the first time, and had to order new shims, I let the old ones stay in the buckets after checking the thickness, just to make it possible to use the car while waiting for the new shims. It was really no much extra work, you will have to rotate each valve in position anyway, so at that time you can remove the old and insert the new shim, since you know the dimension of the one that's going in.

[geert]

installation fluid on ice ?? it's freezing here.

tip : after checking and adjusting valve clearance, I still had a loud engine noise ( like a flamencodanser with castagnettes).
A friend who owned a Fiat garage told me I had probably still too much clearance and should have used bended feelergauges (? don't kwow the name in english, i mean the things to put between cam and shim to check valveclearance ) , bended,so easier to measure exactly the distance because of the more 'horizontal approach'.
( but as too much clearance doesn't harm...)

I used a magnet from an old LEGO train, worked perfectly.

good luck !
groeten, Geert.

[azruss]

I've never had an issue with straight feeler gage. you do have to make sure they are flat to the wafer. I also find that the wafer can hang up on initial measurement and need to rotate the cam a few times so it will seat. You can get clatter even with the gap set at max tolerance.