Thread: Reshiming cams

How do you re shim your cams? Is it necessary to to buy that electronic re shim tool for the job or is there another way to do this?

Huh?! You're talking about valve shims, right?

valve shims fo sho

valve shims yes.

would also like a how-to on doing this. Searched google abit i know how to measure them but i dont know how to determine what size shim to use

I presume you are talking about a solid lifter setup like the VE or the GTI-R head?

You need to find out what the factory clearances should be. Then you use a feeler gauge to measure the "gaps" or clearances on each of the valves.

You then find apropriate replacement shims of the right thickness, swop them in, then remeasure the clearances. It can be a bit of a trail and error to get them right. Also remember to aim for similar clearances on the two valves that work under the same rocker arm (VE motor)

IIRC, it's pretty basic if you have the shimming tool, like the valve shimming plate (I have one, but it's not mine, it's Calum's).

You attach the plate, then use a sort of dial caliper gauge and measure the difference between the grooved shim (they're all the same size), and the top of the valve itself on the other valve. Then you know what size shim you need. I measured 3 times each to triple check the numbers and ensure I bought the right size shims, or could reuse the shims I took out.