Valve adjustment tool

[ga.spyder]

The valve adjust tool is in at IAP,they have been back-ordered for months.I had a tight exhaust valve,and have been waiting for a tool to change it.As a heads up ,check the 'forks' on the tool are correct.I had a tough time getting the shim out.I tried several times...no go.I looked closely at the tool and it was ever so slightly hitting the shim making it impossible to remove.I put the tool in a vice and spread it a a little,and the shim came out easily.
Ace had advised me to use a little bit of air to loosen the shim.Well,I hit it with 100psi ! It blew the shim up behind the cam lobe and I had a hell of a time getting it out.Hey Ace...I see why you said to use a ''puff'' of air
Craig

[ventura ace]

All the little experiences that you learn from!!

Steve Eubanks made a neat little attachment for delivering a small pin-pointed blast of air. He took one of those needles that you use for inflating a soccer ball (football, basketball, etc), and cut off the end. It's perfect for directing a small blast of compressed air, and not likely to blow residual oil all over the place.

Alvon

[Curly]

And .... you'll find using a large syringe with a piece of plastic tubing on it, you can suck up all that residue oil from inside the cam boxes and squirt it back down the drainhole at the back of the head. That way you won't get splashed when the valve tool slips off the compressed valve spring

[racydave]

Craig, I was wondering if you had that valve adjusted. We started that project at Dixiefest last June.Did it get that little pop out of the exhaust at idle???

[narfire]

Before I pop the shim,I put a magnet onto the shim.Once after loosing the thing behind the cam for a while,used a magnet and hav'nt had a problem since. Like you the tools arms were a bit close and had to spread a bit to work. Still a bit fiddley around the #4 exhaust shim (dist. hole)

[4babycar]

I just saw a demonstration on how to do this at IAP yesterday and the tip from them was to make sure the notch in the tappet is ~30-45 degrees off perpendicular to the cam and to use an angled pick. It took the guy about 10 seconds to wedge the pick against the shim and lever it out. Once it was lifted from the tappet a magnet was used to remove and then again to re-install the next shim. I hope this is new information and it helps.

[ga.spyder]

Dave,I used that'old school' trick with the cardboard behind the exhaust.The skip is gone and the idle is much smoother.I have had the valve tool on order since June!IAP had a new batch fabbed up.I had several offers for loaner tools ,but felt like it was something I needed to own.
I had a magnet,but didnt have it against the shim when I tried to launch it into orbit!Michael,my manual makes a point of telling you to make sure the notch is facing straight at you.Even has a drawing ...I guess there is no substitute for experience.I probably could have used an ice pick to pry it out,but flying shims are way more fun.
Craig

[mdrburchette]

I probably could have used an ice pick to pry it out,but flying shims are way more fun.
Craig

Yep, nothing like having a valve shim hit you smack between the eyes. If anyone wants a good laugh, I'll start video taping Craig while he's working on a Fiat.

[ga.spyder]

WOW!! I thought you people in N.C. would be nicer.Making fun of someones birth defects.I cant help it if I was born with catchers mitts for hands!! Maybe if you hurry you can find some old person in a walker to push down some stairs.
Craig

[mdrburchette]

Maybe if you hurry you can find some old person in a walker to push down some stairs

Did that last week. Now I'm ready for something more challenging.

[racydave]

Challenging? Denise, you should try and grow a vegetable garden We had a bountifull crop!

[mdrburchette]

Good grief Dave. You can kiss my cute little round....cheek.