Adjusting Valve Shims
 

Hi all, I have pinpointed a ticking sound coming from the exhaust side cam, cylinder three or four. I have looked though the Haynes and it shows that you need a special tool to assist in the removal of the shims. I was wondering if anyone has done this, and has anyone ever had to replace the shims?

Now I haven't had a chance to take the valve cover off to actually see if it is the shim ticking, but I can't see it being much else in that area. Any ideas, suggestions, or help would be great, Thanks.

Check the repair manual on valve adjustment to get an idea of what it all entails. It is possible to do with the cams still installed, but you pretty much have to have the special tools from the dealer to do that. And you have to have whatever size shim you are going to need to replace the one that wrong.
Basically, there is a shim in between the cam lobe and the top of the valve. The shim sits in a 'bucket' that covers the valve spring and valve. To get the shim out, you have to compress the valve down, and pop the shim out of the bucket. Or remove the cam. Then install a thicker shim. How much thicker? Depends on how far the valve is out of adjustment, the repair manual has a chart to tell you what shim to put in, but you have to know what shim is already in it, and how far the valve adjustment is off.
I think there are between 40-60 different shim thicknesses.

So yeah, I have done it and its a pain in the ass, no matter how you do it.

First I would pop the valve cover off, and check the valve clearances, maybe the sound is something else and all of this won't matter.

Ray.

Yea I have done a little valve work, but not on this type of valve train. I have looked into it and I do have a plan. I also have all the lash measurment tools to get a idea of what kind of shim size needed. Thanks for the help. I may be getting ahead of my self, but where would I get a shim kit? Thanks again.

lol, just pop the valve cover off, wish it was that easy!

I guess call the dealer and give them the part numbers out of the repair manual. Most of them are made by OTC, so you might try to buy the tools straight from them.

Ok, that works, Thanks.

Check your clearances first before even think of removing the shims. Also the condition of the cam lobes while the cover is off.
I tried this one time a couple of engines ago and ordered the tools while in the USA and brought them back to kuwait. I checked the clearances, did the math and orded the shims from the dealer. Well they all ended up too tight so I threw the math out the window and went a little smaller than what the math called for till they were all good. A short time later the head gasket went so all for naught.
I still have the tools though. Its a micrometer and a special pair of curved pliers to compress the bucket so you can remove the shim. I think I used a magnet to pull the shim out and its a one man job with the right tools. I think the tools were less that 70 dollars.
You could also get shims from the junkyards to have extras around.