Valve job shoping list

[Robare]

Plan on doing my first valve job on Sunday - I have the shim kits I need. What tools/parts will I need in addition? Any gaskets or things like that? Any special oils or what not? Sealers? I've read some of the other threads on this, but I thought I should compile a list and didn't want to miss anything. Especially if I'm going to do it on a Sunday when the shops are closed.

[KWICK]

A factory shop manual.
Assortment of shims.
Valvecover, spark plug hole and bolt gaskets
Coolant
Yamabond #4 sealant, Three Bond #4 or Three Bond #1211

[elarbolverde]

After doing mine, I wouldn't try it without a telescoping magnet thingy to retrieve runaway shims...!

[02-trex]

After doing mine, I wouldn't try it without a telescoping magnet thingy to retrieve runaway shims...!

Yep ....

Bob


(and maybe a pulser cover gasket ....... just in case)

[Special Ed]

FWIW, we've done several at the house and never disconnect a coolant hose and need coolant. We also don't remove the pulser cover and have never needed a pulser gasket. I've got three of those telecoping magnet thingies

[elarbolverde]

Hmm did anyone mention feeeeeeeeeeeelers?

[Wolfman]

#1....patience
#2....shims
#3....gaskets(valve, sparkplug well, bolt)
#4....good headlamp
#5....magnet
#6....small screwdriver
#7....small feeler gauges
and.........extra patience.
I also do the adjustment without taking any coolant hoses off, or pulsar cover. Just remember to shift into second or higher BEFORE you shut it off. You can't go past first with the engine off because of the positive neutral finder.Then you can use the rear wheel to turn the engine over.

[Dirty Harry]

I used a probe and some assembly grease (to "stick" the shim to the probe) to insert the shims into place. It was too hard to get the shim into position with the magnet since the it tends to "flip" the shim the wrong way; the shim will only go into the "buckets" when it's lined up just right. The probe was also useful in rotating the probe once it is in the bucket, confirming that the shim is not cocked and fully seated.

I agree with the other posters that a valve job can be done without removing a coolant hose or pulsar cover.

[Robare]

#1....patience
#2....shims
#3....gaskets(valve, sparkplug well, bolt)
#4....good headlamp
#5....magnet
#6....small screwdriver
#7....small feeler gauges
and.........extra patience.
I also do the adjustment without taking any coolant hoses off, or pulsar cover. Just remember to shift into second or higher BEFORE you shut it off. You can't go past first with the engine off because of the positive neutral finder.Then you can use the rear wheel to turn the engine over.

Looks like I need 3 and 7.

Looks like I'll be doing it next week some time, not sunday. I'll have to figure out #3 more, but doesn't sound bad. (Shop manual should be in there too, but I have one of those).

[Dirty Harry]

Depending on how careful you are, you may not need any gaskets. Keep your fingers crossed.....

[Robare]

Today is the day...Wish me luck.

[TGHW]

Today is the day...Wish me luck.

Don't be afraid to ask ??'s if you're not sure about something. You'll get a quick answer/confirmation and you won't have to worry about screwing something up. Take your time, don't get in a hurry, and you'll be surprized at how easy it really is to do.



TG

[Wolfman]

Yeah, I re-used my gaskets before. I'm pushing 70,000 miles now, so I replace them now. Better "safe" than sorry.
Reminder....engine must be COLD !!!

[Robare]

Well, it didn't go real bad. Over all there was only about 6 or so valves out of spec. Most a little tight. At one point a shim went missing. Neither I nor my helper (blue Thunder/tim) could find it. Magnet couldn't find it. After some looking I finally found it and took a big gulp of relief. Did notice that there was a number of shims in my kit off of what they advertised. So I'm glad I got in the habit of checking each one to get an exact measurement.

Everything went pretty good, until we got to the point of tightening down the cover. I musta set something wrong on the torque wrench. Think I accidentally turned it "off". Snapped off the bolt. Took the part off where the bolt goes into. Will have to take it to a shop to get it out and find a new one. Stupid me, I should have realized it was getting pretty tight for the mear 87 inch pounds it was calling for.

I would definitely do it again. It wasn't bad at all.

Thanks all!

[smokinjryan]

could have been a costly one...

[Robare]

could have been a costly one...

Loosing a shim, I suppose it could be. It was just in a very hard to see spot. I knew it had to be there, just had to keep looking.