Shim Calculator

Fellow XJers

I was mixing up some basic math by hand-calculating required shims today, so I created a little spreadsheet to aid in "ensuring" one doesn't cross up calculations...

Just enter the numbers as shown on the sheet for spec range, current and new shim, and it'll keep you straight...

Find it here (select down-load on the right side of the page):

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1341856188/4 ... 748e2bc5dd

p.s. Legal disclaimer -- this is a tool, not a guarantee, and I am in no way liable for the decisions you make... Other than that I hope it is useful

 

I think it's a great idea, good work !

I would add that regardless of the method used to calculate the shim required it is essential to stop have a good think about what's going on.

The shim is the only adjustment, so we start with a fixed gap between the cam and the shim bucket. We are trying to put a spacer (ie. a shim) in that gap that will give us a certain clearance.

If the valve is tight, that gap is too small and we need a thinner shim to make it looser. If it is loose, we need a thicker shim to make it tighter.

Think of it as trying to find a piece of wood that will fit between your head and the ceiling and still leave the right amount of space to get your hat on and off

 

Neat spreadsheet. Good work.

 

Thanks it has improved my confidence in choosing the right new shims - when you write out a matrix on paper it's easy to cross up a calculation... I have also measured installed shims to be sure they are "honest"

 

Nice work, coach, only I recon I could change my shims while you are putting in all those formulae.

 

Nahh ... it was quick and dirty to develop...

I just enjoy the "what if" it let's you do quickly plugging in options or swaps...

 

Really handy work - I agree, dirty but effective.

 

Great program! Thanks for posting it!

 

dmccoach, nice work, i just used that and saw a few things, nothing important, but the shim sizes are ### not #.##
i'am not criticizing your work but it might confuse someone
thanks for your effort
now could you make one for the poor saps that use inch gauges ?

 

Got the nasty 404 error. What happend to it?

Ghost

 

The service is free for one week so it should be there til the 21st...

Be sure to click on the "down-load" option on the right.

... Let me make the suggested changes and I will re-post it ...

Actually, can anyone suggest a file access service free and unlimited?

 

google docs if you have a gmail account

 

Awesome, thank you.

 

I tried creating the spreadsheet as a google doc. and Google's version of Excel was not robust enough...

I'll make the changes and try to find a file server service --

Thanks

 

It worked this time. Must have been a server issue earlier.

Good work coach. This will save a lot of frustration trying to figure out all those numbers.

Works in Open Office also.

Ghost

 

OK,

Version 2.1 available to include Imperial capability -- and I made the out-of-spec calculation a bit more user friendly...

Hope this helps.

Thanks

Again -- click on the right side of the page to down-load the file...

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1347212774/c ... 928942c864

p.s. If you'd like the sheet unprotected to edit or play with the formulas, just pm me and I will send the password to you... I am out of town next week, so anything I receive tomorrow I will respond to otherwise -- see you all on Jan 31

Thanks again

 

Yes - See new version Polock

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1347212774/c ... 928942c864

 

Downloaded & it works just fine, good job, coach.

 

About to do a valve adj and the Shim Calculator file is no longer available. Anyone got a copy or a new location to download ?

 

measure your clearances and your installed shims and post; or just use the chart that's in the valve adjustment how-to and/or any service manual.

 

It is in a new location if you want it -- this one has no protection on the cells -- all calculations are exposed -- here:

https://www.yousendit.com/dl?phi_action ... 0200000000

 

Something else you could add to that: Calculate whether or not you can move shims around, so you only order the sizes you need/don't have.

 

You now have the code -- have fun

 

I'd just use the chart. I keep a copy on my computer, and I also have a printout of it laminated.

Dave Fox

 

i keep one on the back of the bathroom door

 

Chart, schmart.

After about the fifth valve adjustment, you can easily do them in your head if you're using metric numbers. Give me any clearance in metric and the installed shim and I'll tell you what goes in it's place. For starters, it's not gonna be more than one size in most cases, two in more extreme cases and three almost never. But regardless, it's simply a matter of adding or subtracting (subtract from shim=add to clearance) .05mm for one size or .10 for two sizes, not exactly rocket science. Example: Intake at .09mm, installed shim is a 255. Drop that to a 250 and the clearance goes to .14mm, in spec. Next?

VIN numbers I still need a chart for.

 

Well, at least it has value as a PINUP!!

 

Well that's one smart Duck, right there!!!


bigfitz52 wrote:

>Give me any clearance in metric and the installed shim and I'll tell you what goes in it's place.............

 

Not especially, really--

The math is quite simple once you wrap your head around the concept.

 

gotcha.....I use a simple concept, too: Look at the chart.

Dave

 

Two accountants show up for a job interview. The Chief Financial Officer says to the first one -- "Tell me young man, when I must add 1 to 1, what is the result?"

Young man looks down at his recently polished, wing tip shoes, strokes his new tie - bought just for this interview - and nervously says to the Chief Financial Officer, "Why Sir, that would be TWO"

Officer, punches in a few numbers into his desk calculator... leans back in his chair -- and says back "Yes, yes... yess... I see"

Then he says to the second candidate who, is a little slumped in his chair, has scuffed shoes and a tie that DOES NOT Match his brown suit...

"And you -- young man -- you -- you tell me please -- if I need to add 1 plus 1 -- what is the result?"


He quickly snaps -- "Well, what would YOU like the RESULT to BE??"

CFO Quickly thrusts his hand out "You, sir, you've got the JOB, welcome to the firm"

 

That's a good one.....gonna take that into the the math teacher tomorrow

Dave F