jelloslug
Digital
Is is possible to just flip over the valve shims and reuse them, or are they only hardened on one side?
Re-use shims
- Thread starter jelloslug
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shojuan
New Member
You don't get the warm fuzzy feeling from replacing them with new shims IMO. Cheap insurance if you can afford it (after your wallet thins out buying all the OTHER 60K parts!). Plus it's a good opportunity to take the clearances to the smaller end of the range. 
Guess I'm just a new shim snob now!
Rick
Guess I'm just a new shim snob now!
Rick
sdpatt
Sr. SHO Engr.
When you flip them, what have you been doing to clean the black spot of oil deposits from the center? You can scrape most of it off with a wooden dowel or hard plastic scraper. I'd rather not have the cam lobe have to do that work.
Yamaha V6
SHO Enthusiast
But if you scratch the surface removing the carbon / oil burn circle on the back side, you're still dealing with a rough surface.
My preferred method is to replace the shims (while they're still available). Of course, I have been hoarding all of the used shims for when they're NOT available - folks won't want to spend $8 a shim later on, though supposedly SHO Shop has a new shim vendor.
My preferred method is to replace the shims (while they're still available). Of course, I have been hoarding all of the used shims for when they're NOT available - folks won't want to spend $8 a shim later on, though supposedly SHO Shop has a new shim vendor.
luigisho
SHO Member
Oh that makes me feel much better. No worries then.
<small>[ September 10, 2002, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: luigisho ]</small>
No worries then. <small>[ September 10, 2002, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: luigisho ]</small>
shojuan
New Member
Yet another reason to join me and the ranks of new shim snobs everywhere!
Can't beat that warm fuzzy feeling!
Rick
billh
New Member
Seems to me that, in essence, Ford/Yamaha is telling us that the shims in our SHO's should last 60,000 miles before the hard surfacing may be worn to the point where camshaft damage could occur. There seems to be a built in safety factor that, I am sure is agumented by regular oil changes. For the expense of the shims, is it really worth it to screw around with an expensive engine?shojuan:
Yet another reason to join me and the ranks of new shim snobs everywhere!
Can't beat that warm fuzzy feeling!
Rick
When we did my valve adjustment, we never even considered not replacing all of the shims.
I absolutely love that warm, fuzzy feeling.
Bill - the new shim snob.
sdpatt
Sr. SHO Engr.
After investing in a total of 240 shims at an average cost of $3.50 per shim, that warm and fuzzy feeling gets to be a little expensive - $840. There are two sides to every shim.
RStalveyARFF
too many shos
on another note, Autozone now can order OTC tools!!
Blast7
Member
I'm not worried. My Dad could make the shims that I need for cheaper than $8/each.
Yamaha V6
SHO Enthusiast
"I'm not worried. My Dad could make the shims that I need for cheaper than $8/each."
Yes, but will he make them with the same material, with the same rockwell hardness, and at the 1/4mm increments (+/- what tolerances?).
Let's put it this way: I work for a cnc machine shop / stamping company. They didn't want to touch the job, and business stinks right now - they're looking for opportunities everywhere.
Yes, but will he make them with the same material, with the same rockwell hardness, and at the 1/4mm increments (+/- what tolerances?).
Let's put it this way: I work for a cnc machine shop / stamping company. They didn't want to touch the job, and business stinks right now - they're looking for opportunities everywhere.
smcallis
New Member
Funny, earlier this year I replaced all of mine and I screwed up ordering one (wrong size) so I flipped that one shim. It still bugs me. So I have 23/24ths of a warm fuzzy.
projectSHO89
SHOless In St L
In store, online, or what?
Details, please....
Steve
89
sdpatt
Sr. SHO Engr.
Since you now buy the real thing for much less that $8, that hardly seems like a viable alternative. Even if Ford and all of the SHO vendors quit sticking them, you can always get them from a Yamaha shop for around $4-$5 each.
shojuan
New Member
I'm of the mind that it makes good sense after performing a 60K to make a list of the parts you replaced and the parts you will need for the next 60K service. In the case of shims, you can estimate how many of which sizes you will need. Then, as funds permit, start building up your 60K kit slowly. I know it's a longshot here because we are a relatively small community, but if a bunch of SHO owners started buying up shims, maybe Ford would perceive there still being a good enough market to not discontinue them so quickly. Murphy's law will bite us in the butt eventually if we are not proactive. Years down the road you'll discover that Ford discontinued the shims you need 3 months before you do your 60K service.
I'll be making my list, and boy will it feel good when I have my box of goodies ready awaiting my next 60K (which will be in about 2 years at 30K a year)! Then money spent for mods won't be compromising the basic service needs of the vehicle so much.
Scott, I feel for ya. The price of consumables sure can add up when there are 24 of them! At least the Yamaha design has been good to a man willing to identify and replace the necessary consumables at the proper intervals. Now I understand why Toyota uses shims in their valve trains. Wow, 240 shims! I can imagine the grumbles when adding up the cost of all those soldiers in the war chest!
Rick
I'll be making my list, and boy will it feel good when I have my box of goodies ready awaiting my next 60K (which will be in about 2 years at 30K a year)! Then money spent for mods won't be compromising the basic service needs of the vehicle so much.
Scott, I feel for ya. The price of consumables sure can add up when there are 24 of them! At least the Yamaha design has been good to a man willing to identify and replace the necessary consumables at the proper intervals. Now I understand why Toyota uses shims in their valve trains. Wow, 240 shims! I can imagine the grumbles when adding up the cost of all those soldiers in the war chest!
Rick
sdpatt
Sr. SHO Engr.
I think those old soldiers have paid for themselves.
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