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These thin metal discs sit between the camshaft and valve lifter, ensuring the correct clearance for optimal engine performance. At Wilmink Engine Parts, we offer an extensive range of valve shims for various applications, including motorcycles, cars, and heavy-duty vehicles. Our assortment includes products for Toyota, BMW, Audi and more. |
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Valve shims are metal discs used to adjust valve clearance in overhead camshaft engines. By selecting the correct thickness, the gap between the cams and valve tappet can be set accurately. This ensures less maintenance, reduces noise, and prevents valve damage, when installed correctly.
Valves become hot and expand. If there were no valve clearance, the valves would remain open when the engine is hot. To prevent this, valve clearance is essential. Valve clearance can be achieved in various ways. By using an adjustment screw, a custom-made valve tappet, hydraulic valve tappets, or, as discussed here, by using valve shims.
Valve shims are available in a wide variety of thicknesses, usually increasing by 0.05 mm. Adjusting the valve clearance with valve shims is a labor-intensive process. However, the advantage is that you don't have much to worry about it afterwards, when the engine is used normally.
No, valve shims are not universal. They come in various diameters and thicknesses to match different engines. It’s essential to select the right dimensions for your engine model.
The thickness of a valve adjustment plate is engraved on the plate. If this is not visible or difficult to see, use a digital micrometer or a caliper to measure the thickness. As a rule, always install the valve adjustment plate so that the code on the plate points towards the tappet.
Always clean the valve stem plate before measuring to ensure accurate results.
To determine the correct thickness, always measure the existing valve clearance first. Then check the thickness of the mounted valve adjustment plate. From there, you can calculate the thickness of the plate you need for the correct valve clearance.
Example:
The valve clearance must be 0.3 mm. You measure 0.45 mm. So the clearance is 0.15 mm too large. The mounted valve adjustment plate is 1.85 mm thick. To achieve the prescribed valve clearance of 0.3 mm, a 0.15 mm thicker valve adjustment plate must be installed. In other words, 1.85 mm + 0.15 mm = 2.00 mm.
