valve shims replacement

[lm48]

Is 9 pm and I am still in the garage adjusting my valves. I have the head on the bench. The question is if I do not have the x of y tool from the repaire manual is there any other option to hold the valve in open position to access the shims? This is a 75 spider head. Thank you

[azygoustoyou]

That tool that holds the valves open is really helpful. I just did mine two weeks ago. I asked my buddies if there was another way to do it and they said you should have the tool. I thought about making one. It didn't look like it would be that easy.
It would be cheaper to just buy it.
http://www.international-auto.com/index ... p&pid=5081

[lm48]

I was not tryng to save $ but time. You are right I already put one in my shopping cart at IAP Thank you

[azygoustoyou]

No I'm with you. If I could make one, I would have. It is a good thing to have a small pen magnet to grab the tappets. I used one of my sons long magnetix toys. I'm not sure if you ever did this before. I just learned myself. Anyways, after you install the tool you blow air into the groove to get the tappet to pop up and grab it with a magnet. Good luck.

[opus10583]

No I'm with you. If I could make one, I would have. It is a good thing to have a small pen magnet to grab the tappets. I used one of my sons long magnetix toys. I'm not sure if you ever did this before. I just learned myself. Anyways, after you install the tool you blow air into the groove to get the tappet to pop up and grab it with a magnet. Good luck.

...Whoa!!!

I like that!

Thanks,
Mark

[Danq]

Any pics of the procedure?

[manoa matt]

The procedure can be done without the tool, but its a little tedious.

Remove the cam box and cam from cylinder head.
Remove old gasket and replace with a new one
Install cam and cam box on head with new gasket and torque down bolts, leave overnight (the new gasket will settle 1-2 thousands overnight)
Measure the clearance with a feeler gauge and write down the numbers
Do the math and add or subtract to find out what thickness shim should be in the bucket carrier
Remove hold down bolts so the cam and cam box can be lifted off
Replace the shims with what is required
Re-install cam box and cam on head and torque down

[azruss]

I made my own shim tools. the 2 fingered one i made back in the 70s. the crescent wrench i made a couple of years ago. needed it for doing the valve next to the dizzy.

[lm48]

With the cylinder head on the bench I had no issue of using IAP special tool to be able to replace the shims. After replacing all the shims with the correct size I turn the cams few times and re check the gaps. All gaps where into the specs. Few weeks later I had the chance to finish the engine and drop everything in the car. With out radiator in the car I just start the engine for 1-2 second and was a perfect sound. I install the radiator and start the engine. To my surprise after few seconds a noise started on the exhaust cam side. Was like metallic noise, few more seconds 10 to 15 the noise went away and the engine was really smooth. I removed the header valve covers for inspection and find on cylinder 3 the valve gap to be to small, ½ of what should be. The head had a valve job done by a professional shop but I did the shimming part. After the readjustment, the engine run at 750 rpm very smooth also at high RPM no sigh of distress. Was possible that some debris was stopping the valve on cylinder 3 from complete closing at the time of initial adjustment, this is what I believe happen.

With the head on the engine I had a hard time using the IAP tool on this particular cylinder. What I did I use a Chinese flat head screwdriver made from soft material, the one that bends all the time and not snap, grinded down to very thin and just pus the tip between the shim and cam. With the tip between the shim and cam the tool was very easy to use.