some of you may have been vaguely following my frantic posts re: my cruddily running 2002 gs500...

Well gotten to the point where I'll be changing out the valve shims for ones that fit better.

Pulling the shims are super super easy with the shim tool, jewellers screw driver and tweezers. So all you new guys and gals out there- dont be intimidated! just find a good shop to buy the tool and shims from and you're set!

Just make sure you do the work where your neighbors can come up and admire your knowledge and skill. 

oh yeah...repainted the headers w/ high temp BBQ...seems to be holding up well

MAKE SURE to stuff something in the well under the cam chain!! lost a ratchet head down there, got it out with some soldering wire and a magnet 

Could use some advice on exchanging shims:

Exhaust 1: 272 (tried 258, still to tight) ...should I got with a 250? ....this is the cylinder that has been fouling plugs
Exhaust 2: 272 (bucket spins 0.038 wont go)...go down one size? like a 265?
Intake 1: 262 (bucket spins 0.038 wont go)...go down one size? 255 or 260?
Intake 2: 258 within spec.

Is it bad for the cam/engine to rotate the engine by hand without the shims in? (bump)......nm found my answer!

All those new guys and gals!! DON'T ROTATE THE ENGINE WITHOUT ALL SHIMS IN PLACE!! does Kerry mention this in his video?

If you have a test shim (one thinner than you will probably need), you can install that one temporarily and then measure clearance directly.  Do some subtraction and you'll know exactly which shim to buy.  No guessing (which gets costly).

I bought two 2.30 shims last month (shipping was the same as one shim, and I figured I could sell one and help someone else out).  If you want the extra one, PM me.  I'll sell it for $10.00 shipped.  Kerry uses a 2.15 test shim in his video, but the online store where I bought mine only went down to 2.30.  Looking at your current sizes, 2.30 should do for a long while (maybe as long as you have your GS).

Quote from: finmac on April 18, 2007, 05:30:04 PM
Is it bad for the cam/engine to rotate the engine by hand without the shims in? (bump)......nm found my answer!

All those new guys and gals!! DON'T ROTATE THE ENGINE WITHOUT ALL SHIMS IN PLACE!! does Kerry mention this in his video?

Thanks for the warning. I just finished checking my shim clearances (only the left exhaust shim was off--about 0.094 or so), and popped it out yesterday. Since we live in the same city, I could have started up a GTA valve check kit and mailed you the cam/bucket hook. Stepping up from the original 272 shim to a 275 ought to tighten things up. 

QuoteIs it bad for the cam/engine to rotate the engine by hand without the shims in? (bump)......nm found my answer!

All those new guys and gals!! DON'T ROTATE THE ENGINE WITHOUT ALL SHIMS IN PLACE!! does Kerry mention this in his video?

Yeah its best to ask questions on the board before doing such actions...