To grind or not to grind... Valve stem tips

650ed wrote:

missionkz wrote: Yes, the 29mm shims.... they run anywhere from $7 to $10 plus around $4-$6 shipping here in the States

Rather than risk messing up your engine trying to avoid buying shims that are over-priced I suggest you simply find shims that are more reasonably priced.

For example - Z1E sells the 29mm shims for $4.82 each (rather than the $7-$10 ones you found). Ed

www.z1enterprises.com/ListItems.aspx?keywords=12037-001

Hmmm... For some reason, after doing a search for #225 29mm shims, Z1-E didn't show individual shims in my browser, just the multipiece kits. Cool

Did it say out of stock?
Steve

No, the site let me order them individually... I just did it.
I don't know why I couldn't find those a couple days ago.
I suspect some probably brain damage from all the other sidetracks and stops that have been thrown at me the last few weeks with this simple top end overhaul project!!
And the worse late spring weather that I can remember (all of May) ... just bumming me out!!

Yeah, it's been a weird one all right. Yesterday windy and cold, today 90's. I understand Z1E just got their supply of shims. I was going to ask if they had the smaller ones. I should have tipped my valves. I have one 210 in there now. Won't be long.
Steve

missionkz wrote: Does anyone know definitively if the 29mm shims can be ground .001" or so?
I've read two or three, totally different, answers to these shims being hardened all the way through or just a few thou's case hardened..

All I can say is I am SURE the 32mm shims for mine were case hardened. I actually recognize the mottly coloring as the same you see on older smith and Wesson triggers and hammers which are case hardened.

DO NOT grind the shims or under the buckets. NEVER.
You can only tip the valves by the recommended amount.
The tipping limit on the valve stem is to prevent the bucket riding on the retainer and if you know what you are doing some more can be had but this requires skimming the collets and retainers also.

I was hoping of gaining some adjustment room by putting in new valves. That's why I didn't have my old ones regorund. I didn't gain much if any. I should have tipped the valves on this old head. I still have time and at my age, it may not be necessary. For me anyway. :whistle:
Steve