Grinding shims

[Sam_Q]

Just wanted to know if there is an issue with grabbing shims out of a bucket over shim type setup (think 4age) and grinding them on a surface grinder? I understand that theres no way I would grind off the top side because of the finish but can the bottom be done? I know people would say it goes through the case hardned layer but would it matter?

[fixeruperer]

i use a bench grinder, ive done thousands of shims that way.

[Sam_Q]

sarcasm I think I can safely assume

[fixeruperer]

hey ? maybe not thousands but heaps.
more than i can remember

[oldcorollas]

depending on how thick the shim is, the hardening may go all the way through, so it may not be a problem.

[allencr]

I'd think no problem at all with all that surface contact area on the follower, compared to a Jag, Alfa or Lotus Twincam that only contact the valve stem tip and were ground using the the side of the wheel.
If you're worried about it breaking, grind it 20 to 30%, put it in the vise, hit it with a hammer & compare it to a stock one. Snap with a lot less effort?

[Sam_Q]

just to clarify when I mean surface grinder I meant one of these that has a magnetic bed and a vertical grindering wheel, highly accurate.

[toddw]

I removed the head of my 80 series Landcruiser a few years ago after it had a loose valve insert. I got the head seviced and set up my a very reputable engine shop here in Brisbane. Because it was my head I paid a fair bit of attention to it and noticed that a few of the shims had been ground and were facing upward (camshaft side). I asked the question raised here to the head engine builder and was informed that they are hardened all the way through. Assembled it back up and no worries. It has now done 100k after head was removed and 340K in total. No problems at all.

[legend]

u could use a sharping stone

[oldcorollas]

as long as the wheel has been dressed correctly... i assume the shims will be magnetic enough. then again.. check first...
you might need to go slowly or take off small amounts at a time to prevent it being spat out by the wheel tho.

[styler]

or you can buy shims at any size at about $10 - $15 ea,
maybe discount for bulk?

http://www.precisionshims.com.au/

[Viper]

Sam, there is a guy near St. Kilda who sells shims.
.05mm differences if I remember correctly.
About $3 each.
I can dig up his contact details if you are interested.
Talking to him, using a die grinder to remove .01 to .04mm of material seemed 'normal'

[ONCE-NA]

Yeah I've done them in my shitter daily 3RZ, on gas, the valves recess quicker and I didn't want to be frequently buying new shims. I used an old bucket to hold them while I used the side of the bench grinder wheel. Note, with the shim upside down.

[Sam_Q]

ok thanks guys, i dont think I have ever had so much of a confirmation on a subect before!

[allencr]

ok thanks guys, i dont think I have ever had so much of a confirmation on a subect before!

It was much less of the typical Sam_Q Question' then usual!!

May I ask the price of the grinder? 2 or 3 phase motor, diamond dresser?