"We hate valve checks!!!"

Well I checked the valves for the 2nd time and it sucked! But it beats paying 200 bucks for a shop to do it. Anyway I have some questions for yall:

* What are the methods that you use to get the shims out?
(I used the valve tool but I broke 1 jewlers screwdriver and bent another one trying to get the R exhaust out)
* Is anyone elses gasket melting? Mine seems to be melting a little bit around the black tabs at the 4 corners.
* How long do gaskets usually last before they break down?
thanks, Bud.

yup but they come easyer by time .. i'm about two do my 4th one   they get easyer as they go .. get you a magnet i'v heard thats the easyest way to get it out ..

The screwdriver and magnet technique should work without prying.  If it doesn't, either you have an extremely tight valve, or the valve tool isn't pushing down on the bucket enough.  If you're prying, you're doing it wrong.  If it's that tight, loosen the cam.

I can get a valve check done from set up to clean up in about half an hour, and that's with a few distractions here and there.

If you want a good method to get your shims out... tweezers.

Hi there,
I'm with Alpha --- I bought long tweezers years ago for removing shims --- one pair is straight and the other pair is angled. I found them in a drug store in the Revlon makeup aisle.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. 
Take your time and remember to PUT A CLEAN RAG INTO THE CAM CHAIN TUNNEL to block it off before trying to remove the shim so you don't lose any parts into the crankcase.
Better safe than sorry.
Let us know if you need help. Valve adjustment checks are not difficult if you follow the directions well.
I replace the valve cover gasket if is leaking or tearing. I'd replace yours from its description. Be sure to use just a bit of non-hardening gasket sealant on the valve cover so it is held in place as you install the new one. Otherwise, it can slip out of place and get pinched and leak as you tighten everything back up.
Yours,
Todd

Yeah I have some tweezers but they are weak. But I ended up using a hemostat that I got from the hospital, you know those surgical tools with finger holes that lock. They worked great. Still a little tight though.
About the clean rag, yeah I did that. But when I was rotating the back wheel to measure the clearance again I forgot to take it out and it got caught all up in the chain . I didn't want to rotate it backwards but I had to to get the rag out. It worked out ok.
Gasket sealent is what I need also, Thanks guys.