Tappet shims

[Stagdad]

Funny enough i was listening to Fat Bottom Girls today Queen

What sound did they make Dave?

[richardthestag]

My Dads old valve spring compressor wont fit a stag head the angle is wrong,what valve spring compressors do you use and where to get them from ?

Hi Dave

Get something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VALVE-SPRING-COMPRESSOR/302989940146?hash=item468b9b95b2:g:-usAAOSwEFFbeVP2

allows you to compress the valve which is recessed inside the head molding

[richardthestag]

Also something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Car-Vehicle-Engine-Cylinder-Head-Repair-Stands-Holder-Set-VS1555/311311981362?epid=2283081651&hash=item487ba3db32:g:Jt4AAOSwZjJU-2ZB

is helpful if shimming up a head on the bench. Though I have done this with two lumps of wood, one at each end of the head, gives enough room for the valves to open etc

[dasadrew]

I think on those fragile alloy Stag heads I'd use soft wood blocks (it's what I did anyway)

[new to this]

Dave I have used these to get shims from https://qedmotorsport.co.uk/qed-shop...-various-sizes

Cheers Glenn

Thanks Dave

[new to this]

Hi Dave

Get something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VALVE-SPRING-COMPRESSOR/302989940146?hash=item468b9b95b2:g:-usAAOSwEFFbeVP2

allows you to compress the valve which is recessed inside the head molding

Thanks Richard sorted now

Dave

[Carboy0]

I would refit the old shims and then check the clearances, before buying any new ones. Once you have established the clearances, add on the existing shim dimensions and order up.

[new to this]

I would refit the old shims and then check the clearances, before buying any new ones. Once you have established the clearances, add on the existing shim dimensions and order up.

That's what I'm going to do now that I've found some old shims

Thanks Dave

[Mark Serj]

Don't expect the adjustments you make in the shims to always reflect the same when you reinstall the camshaft etc. There can be witchcraft at work sometimes......!

[Tdm]

It's a long time since I did mine, but I bought a load of different sized shims from Paddocks, and it was a bit of a bugger of a job trying them out one at a time until I got what I thought was a reasonable result.

[Ian P]

The secret is torque the camshaft caps down to the same torque every time you check the gaps as they can alter dramatically if just nipped by hand, I have just done mine and the box of shims I borrowed was etched with the size in MM and differed when measured so make sure you check them yourself rather than trust manufacturers markings.
Ian

[sujitroy]

In the US in one of the Triumph TR7 clubs they have a box of shims they loan out . The user takes what he needs from the box and returns the box. There is a fee for the shims taken and a refundable deposit for the box. Someone may want to look into this
Sujit

[Mark Serj]

The secret is torque the camshaft caps down to the same torque every time you check the gaps as they can alter dramatically if just nipped by hand, I have just done mine and the box of shims I borrowed was etched with the size in MM and differed when measured so make sure you check them yourself rather than trust manufacturers markings.
Ian

+1 ON THAT. Also, rotate the cam a turn or 2 to let it settle before measuring, but be careful not to get a piece of rag caught between the valve and seat when it closes if you are manhandling the thing on the lounge floor like I did and couldn't figure out why the gap was greater until I found the cloth stuck!