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Quick video of shim removal tool!

Discussion in 'XJ DIY How-To Videos' started by turpentyne, Jun 10, 2018.

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  1. turpentyne

    turpentyne Active Member

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    Wasn't sure where in the forum to share this, but this morning I got a wild hair and decided to point the phone at my engine. I made a quick video of using the shim-holding doohickey that Chacal sells, in action.

    Here:

    Not bad for an impromptu video, I guess ... I was basically just parroting the information that you can find in this thread:
    https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/airhead-valve-adjustment-with-pics.14827/
     
    Hand, PegCityNeil, kosel and 2 others like this.
  2. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Nice video. Some people need that in order to process information correctly. The more learning tools we have the better.
    I'm moving this into the DYI video section.
     
  3. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    Good job turpentyne!
     
  4. joe elliff

    joe elliff Active Member

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    I am one of those ppl k moe.. that is as close to hands on as one can get. Thank you for the video turpentyne!!!!
     
  5. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    taking out the spark plugs makes it easier to turn motor
     
  6. turpentyne

    turpentyne Active Member

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    Yeah... I intentionally didn't take the spark plugs out. I don't have the luxury of a garage. I'm under a tree that drops a lot of tiny leaves. I didn't want any more openings than necessary - even if it might all burn off.

    I think I mention it in the video, just in case.
     
  7. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    A shop rag stuffed into the hole keeps crap out, but allows air to flow.
     
  8. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

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    Nice video.

    I wonder how many times I have attached the shim tool, turned the motor to remove the shim...only to find I forgot to set the notch on the shim bucket so I can get to it to pry out the shim...then I start over...

    As I posted in another thread, I had to grind the bend on the shim bucket tool narrower in order to get it to align properly on a couple of the valves on my XJ550.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
    kosel and Chitwood like this.
  9. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    The holes in the tool also occasionally need to be trimmed a bit oval (or more oval) in order to get the tab to reach far enough.

    There are other ways though.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
  10. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    I have the shim tool but found the wire method much quicker.
     
  11. turpentyne

    turpentyne Active Member

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    Jayrodoh... that's what I expected, but I was surprised how quickly this worked for me - all 8 in 45 minutes. The only trick was centering things. On one, the bucket popped back up after as I started turning the lobe up.

    I took a sharpie and marked a line up the center of the tool to help aligning the tab.

    I might try the wire method next time - added benefit of no compression when turning, and no tedious bolts to screw in! That's probably what speeds the process up.
     
  12. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    That, plus you don't have to keep trying to index the bucket just right so it doesn't rotate too far......with the zip-tie or wire method, you just stick it in, and you can rotate the bucket with your fingers how ever you need.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2018
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  13. Conraderb

    Conraderb New Member

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    Fantastic video. I didn't see this until AFTER I did my valve check. Bravo.
     
  14. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    tool has to be ground down on the sides for a 550
     
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  15. weeboy1

    weeboy1 Member

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    Hi K-moe, I know it’s an old thread but I’m working on a garage find for my wife and anticipate doing the valve shims. Just curious as to the length the wire has to be after the bend to get under the valve? Thank you, this makes way more sense than the bolt on tool. I’m a Harley guy, push rods seem so much easier…..
    Ken, Winnipeg, Canada
     
  16. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Doesn’t hafta be very long..... you can SEE the edge of the open valve if you look through the spark plug hole. I think my zip ties are usually curled for about 1/2-3/4”. THATS about it
     
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  17. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    12 inches would be more than enough and give you extra to trim the end.
    as stated above you can see the edge of the valve.
    it wants to be long enough so it does not fall inside of cylinder with piston being around the bottom of the stroke
     
  18. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    the manual shows using a magnet to help remove shim, it works well .
    you pop the shim up with screw driver the grab with a magnet .
    I wouldnt use a magnet tray to hold shims.

    took me a while to master grabbing shims with a plier type tool
     
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  19. weeboy1

    weeboy1 Member

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    Thank you for the replies. I’m sure it will be evident when I get to it after the carb and tank clean up etc.
     

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