The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

During the engine build, we've found that all of the valve clearances are too tight. On doing the calcs, we know we need the following shims :-

1x0.082", 1x84, 5x85, 2x87, 1,89, 1x 91, 1x92, 1x95, 1x96 and 2x99

Rimmers only start at 0.091"

Is it normal to need smaller than this are is this a symptom of another issue?

If OK, I'm hoping to be able to find the ones I need on here before we have to go and find somebody in Hungary able to do some very small skims for us

Yes, the thinner shims are harder to come by. I have had several down in the 0.080"s & 0.090"s. Usually they are around 0.100" - 0.110". I just took a few thou off the end of the valve stem.

Try QED motorsport for the shims. I used the Lotus Twin cam shims for my rebuild. Good range available here:

https://qedmotorsport.co.uk/product/val ... ous-sizes/

I recall sending most of my '80s' to Mart a while ago, but have here an 82, an 86 and an 88.

I have a coin bag full in the '90s' and will compare against your needs when i have an idle moment...

Does the head have a performance cam in it? Some of the specialists advocate halving the standard clearance with a high lift cam...

xvivalve wrote: ↑Tue Jun 25, 2024 11:22 am Does the head have a performance cam in it? Some of the specialists advocate halving the standard clearance with a high lift cam...

Nope, just a standard cam.

All small shims gratefully received

Many thanks to Tony and Alun for supplying many useful shims.

I'm only short of the 0.084" and 0.085" shims now, which QED can supply at a very reasonable price.

So I have a small stock of shims remaining, which I will of course send on to the next person needing them