I've taken the shims out of cylinder 4 to measure them as the clearances here are well off, but will have to rotate the crank to measure cylinder 2.

Is it OK to do this without any shims in number 4?

Probably a dat question, but I just want to check

Ta

Dont' do this.

While it might not cause too much harm you run the risk of the valve popping out as the shims stop the valve from being pushed out.

I create a diagram for each cylinder.

(EL)(ER)--(EL)(ER)
(IL)(IR)--(IL)(IR)

(EL)(ER)--(EL)(ER)
(IL)(IR)--(IL)(IR)


Firstly measure all the shims and write in their thickness.

Then measure all the clearnaces and write these below.

You can then work out your new shim thickness.

If the gap is 0.5 but your range is 0.15-0.20 and your shim or ex was 2.95, you'd need a 2.85 shim to get to 0.15 (shims come in gaps of 0.5)

Once you've measured all the cleanres / shims and worked out what you need you often find you can swap some around...

Make notes of what shims are in what valve then next time you only need to measure clearnaces and refer to diagram

really, so I have to measure the old shims and put them back in before moving on to the next cylinder then?

ffs this is a bloody nightmare

It is alright..you'll get the hang of it by the time you finish!!

Most people seem to drop a shim in the motor, so avoid it...taking the sump off is ballache.

Neo is great for his instructions so you cannot go too far wrong with his advice (apart from his lack of V4 bias..)

I am really strtuggling to fit the shims back, tweezers, dont do it, the shim doesn't seem to stick with a blob of grease, ffs at this rate I'd be better off calling in a mobile mechanic

oldgreyandslow wrote:I am really strtuggling to fit the shims back, tweezers, dont do it, the shim doesn't seem to stick with a blob of grease, ffs at this rate I'd be better off calling in a mobile mechanic

what grease you using?

Some of them I use a small flat screwdriver which I slightly magentised also a blob of grease too.

It sticks, I slide the rocker across out the way and then hold the shim down as I slide the rocker back..

porndoguk wrote:

oldgreyandslow wrote:I am really strtuggling to fit the shims back, tweezers, dont do it, the shim doesn't seem to stick with a blob of grease, ffs at this rate I'd be better off calling in a mobile mechanic

what grease you using?

moly

CMSMJ1 wrote:Some of them I use a small flat screwdriver which I slightly magentised also a blob of grease too.

It sticks, I slide the rocker across out the way and then hold the shim down as I slide the rocker back..

dont see why your strugling mate

no one else has a problem?

"dont see why your strugling mate

no one else has a problem?"

Incompetence probably