Boy did I say the "F-word" once or twice today. Bob, the tool you showed me for depressing the valve springs was exactly what I could have used.
OK - here's the deal on my valve shim job today:
1) The plan: measure the existing shims to match the clearance measurements I have. Plug these into the formula to determine what size replacement shims to buy on Saturday.
New Shim Size = (C-A) + B
C = original shim measurement A = Spec clearance (.40mm) B = Measured clearance
It is important to note the parenthesis because should you do C - (A+B) you get a different number.
So - my formula will be: (4.00mm - .40mm) + .508mm = 4.108mm I'll buy 4.10 mm shims.
Here is what I didn't like about this job and so I am going to take a calculated risk.
All of my clearances were measured at .508 mm on cylinders 1-3 on all valves. Cylinder 4 measured .457 on each valve.
I was only able to measure the first 3 shims (cylinders 1-2, valves
1,2,3) because I did not have great tools to work with. Each shim measured 4.00mm. My vernier caliper was incremented by 1mm, so I made sure it wasn't 1/2 mm off by eye.
Because the first 3 cylinders (6 valves) all had the same .508 clearance, and the first 3 valves were all the same 4.00mm size, I am going to assume the next 3 shims are 4.00mm.
That is the calculated risk. To be sure, after I replace the shims I'll take measurements to ensure I am within the .30 - .40mm cold clearance.
I don't think I will do cylinder 4 at this time because I am not able to measure the shims. My plan is to drive 1.5 hours to the Volvo dealer and buy the shims I need. I will not have a kit.
I may just buy that valve spring tool though. It is a pain using a screwdriver. I had to turn the camshaft to depress the springs, insert screwdriver, turn cam to release the lobe and hope the screwdriver held. Sometimes it did. Sometimes it slipped off.
Jamie