Quattro15

I want to adjust my valves on my 99 Taco and was curious as to where I can purchase the valve kit other that from the dealer?

Is the dealer my only option or is there somewhere else I can get the kit from that will save me some cash??

Thanks!

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

You don't want a "valve" kit, you want a shim kit and yes, Toyota is the only place other than finding them used that makes them.

Keep in mind, you will have to take out the cams to "adjust" the valves. You are really just shimming the valves, but its a much more involved process than in the 22RE for example.

Quattro15

Yeah...I was figuring the dealer would be the only place I could get one. My mechanic friend is going to help me with it. Sounds like a pain to tackle myself!

How much does the kit usually run?

zlathim

Do they really sell shim sets? I've purchased the shims from the dealer and it was always on a per-piece basis. Since they were pretty spendy ($6-$8 each IIRC), I didn't want to buy any more than I needed anyway.

If you measure every valve clearance carefully before teardown, then measure each shim after you remove the camshaft, you can use the chart in the FSM to determine which specific shim each valve needs to end up with the correct lash. I found that some of my existing shims were the size I needed for a different valve, so I actually bought fewer shims than I had valves needing adjustment, if that makes any sense.

Please school me on these shim "kits" though, I never knew they existed.

Quattro15

I called the dealer today and there is no such thing as a shim kit...dunno where I heard it from??

Anyhow,we are going to measure the clearances before we take everything apart and just buy the ones we need. Nice thought about using the existing shims where we can though.

zlathim,

What chart are you talking about though?

zlathim

There is a chart in the Factory Service Manual that shows what shims are needed, based on the existing shim thickness and the measured clearance. I think even the Chilton's I have had the chart in it, but I'm not sure.

It is real handy to have the chart on hand when you go to the dealer for the shims. The parts guy I wound up talking to didn't have a clue until I produced a copy of the chart with the shims I wanted circled on it.

Quattro15

I don't have a Chilton's manual. I've got the Haynes though. It doesn't say the camshaft has to come out though????

I also didn't see that chart in there. Do you think I should get the chilton's manual or is there somewhere that has the FSM chart online or something?

Quattro15

I got the chart in my Haynes manual, it was just on the other page.

zlathim

Cool, there should actually be two charts, one for the intake valves, and another one for the exhaust valves. I think that there is a special tool or two needed to swap shims with the cams in place. I had the cams out anyway, so I did not need them. Your manual should show how the SSTs are used and you can decide if you want to go to all the extra trouble of removing the camshafts or not.

Quattro15

Yeah...there is a valve lifter tool and some other interesting gadgets that my bud fortunately has so I think that camshaft can stay in place...but if it needs to come out then it'll just have to come out.

I only saw one chart....there was an equation to follow that was something like....

old shim thickness+measured valve clearance-desired valve clearance= new shim thickness

Then the chart had all the shim thicknesses and a corresponding number next to them. I'd image that all you'd have to do is tell the dealer you needed a number 1 shim for example...instead of telling him the thickness of the shim you need.

I think that's right, don't feel like getting the manual back out now.

zlathim

Well, there should be two charts, because the clearance is different for the intake vs. the exhaust. IIRC, the #1, #2, etc didn't mean anything to the parts guy at the dealership I went to. He needed the actual thickness, because that is how they had them sorted. Since I brought the chart with me, it was easy for him to get it figured out. The parts guys there leave a lot to be desired in the knowledge department though, so maybe that was it more than anything.

It's cool that your buddy has the SSTs, cause it will be a way easier job if you do not have to pull the camshafts.

Good luck, I hope everything works out well for you.

Quattro15

The valves were just fine, we just replaced the gaskets in the valve covers. All is well!