Shims on Upper 60k (where I meant to put this thread)

[boat]

I am wondering about something...

How often do shims actually wear out on the 3.2L? I have limited resources and I can get spark plugs and the valve cover gaskets w/plug well seals, but can't really afford the shim kit rental. I realize the shims are there to protect the cams from wearing out.

The motor has had the piston rings changed and the rod bearings about 40k ago, not sure if that has any bearing on the shims wearing or not???

Is it okay to do the seals, gaskets, and plugs, then do the plug wires and intake stuff later? I realize I may not get the best benefit right off the bat, but it would take care of my oil leakage and this funny gurgling noise I get when I start the car, sometimes. I have been informed this "gurgling" is from my plug wells having oil in them.

Money is just tight right now...Thanks

 

[Troywakeling]

Generally replace them every 60k. I just eyeballed my shims when I did my seals. They looked ok so I left them alone. Not that im recommending doing that, its just what I did. This is what I replaced when I did my upper.

Valve cover gskt set
Plugs & Wires
ECT sensor
Both 02 sensors
reused my intake gskt
Cleaned the crap outta my VCs with tons of carb cleaner.
Also replaced every vac line that got in my way.

It runs alot better now that there is not oil all the way to the top of the plug wells.
Wires you can do anytime, providing they are still ok. As in not arcing or anything. It will be more of a pita with the intake on though, but doable.

 

[93rev2sev]

definately check the shims with a decent feeler guage set as soon as you have your valve covers off. If any of them are way out of spec, you can deal with it then...

 

[itwonder]

Shims rarely wear out. You replace them when you need one of a different thickness to bring the valve lash back into spec. You save to one removed to possibly use in another spot. As the engine ages, the trend is to require thicker shims. The rental kit makes changing easy because you can insert the new one as soon as you remove the old one, without having to compress and lock the valve spring down again.