Checked my valve clearances and Bigfitz called it.

So, I checked my valve clearances today and they were all tight, so I emailed chacal to get the bucket holder tool so I don't knock a bunch of carbon loose messing around with a copper wire. I have no idea what shims are installed because I dont have the tool yet. What should be the next step?

 

Next step? That would probably depend on how tight they are. Do you intend to keep riding it or are you going to wait until you've done the shims? If you have to ride, avoid long rides at high speed.

Can I assume you're using Fitz's photo essay on the shims? If so then you know that in addition to various shims, you'll probably be wanting a new valve cover gasket and a set of 'donut' washers. Planning this ahead may get you on the road quicker. Order the gasket and washers now and figure out if you will be able to get the shims locally or if you are going to have to order them after you determine which ones you need. Once I knew what shims I needed (on a Friday evening) I went to a local boneyard (Saturday morning) and got the shims and had things buttoned up quick, because I already had the gasket and donuts ready to go.

 

You can ride it if the Valves are TIGHT.
You know. And they'll be swapped soon.
But, it they're so tight you can't measure them, ... wait.

They Stamp what Shim it is ... On the Bottom of the Shim so the Cam Lobe won't obliterate the notation.

The Shim can also just be "Measured" to reveal its thickness.

 

Donut Washers?????

Hey pbjman what donut washers are you referring to? Is it the ones that go on the bolts to the valve cover gasket? I am getting ready to do the valves on my XJ750 very, very soon.

 

I'll jump in and answer that for him:

Yes he is. Those metal/rubber composite "donuts" that go on the bolts are what do all the work. The bolts are limited in how far they can tighten down by their stop collars. The bolts press down on the donuts which push the cover against the gasket and head. Once the rubber part of the donut becomes baked hard in its compressed state, it doesn't effectively press down any more and even a new gasket may leak.

Consider the molded rubber gasket and the donuts a "set" and replace them together. Once replaced, they will be good for many thousands of miles and quite a few cover removals and replacements without issue.

 

/\

what he says, always!
Thanks Fitz, I still had a few more hours of beauty sleep before I was ready to answer that one.

 

I dont think I should drive it, the clearances all ranged from .004 to .006 so they were all close which is good but they definately need to be replaced.

 

Same clearances that I had,found 3 not marked,1 upside down.Ordered what I needed from Len,great service! For 1.50 the collar thingy Len suggested to slip the grommets on the bolts works great.Looks like a stepped compression collar.