valve shims too tight

[badbrown]

My 78 550E is in need of a valve adjustment. Any way they are tighter than they should be. The Clymer manual gives an example for figureing the clearance if they are loose. What if they are tight? Meaning the smallest feeler guage won't fit. How should the clearance be calculated? I'm sure there is a simple answer. Or maybe I'm a moron. Anyway........ I have the shim tool and a metric feeler guage on order.

[SqDancerLynn1]

It's a case where you have to install a thinner shim & remeasure

[badbrown]

Thanks. I guess I can do that considering that only one of the shims is loose beyond the spec. I can use that one to figure, then buy proper shims. Thanks.

[Killer2600]

Doubt your gonna run into such a problem so I wouldn't worry about it but if you do like posted above you'll have to switch the shim to a thinner one and remeasure.

[Sandy]

If the shim is too tight for a feeler gauge check to see if it has some clearance by trying to rotate it by hand or with the tip of a screwdriver. If it rotates easily you have some clearance there and going two shim sizes will probably put you within spec. Otherwise go with a much thinner shim and calculate from there as mention earlier.

[badbrown]

Thanks for all of the input. The shims do rotate by hand. I'll check them again with the .03mm on the new feeler guage. .038mm on the regular feeler guage did not fit.