I just dropped both my 3VZ-E heads off at the machine shop for valve work. The stock valves will be reground and the valve seats will be recut. Thus, it is very likely that I'll need to reshim each valve with a thinner shim. (grinding the valve and cutting the seat will allow the valve stem to move further into the head when the valve closes)
The machinist that will be doing the work says that rather than reshim the valve lifter, he can just grind the tip of the valve stem until the gap between the existing shim and cam meet specification. This seems like it would work. Can anyone confirm this as being a reliable way of "adjusting" the valves?

How much does a single factory shim cost anyway?

 

Just a question, are you doing anything with the stock cams?

 

No, I'm planning on reinstalling the stock cams.

 

it can be done, just check the clearances a million times when you get it back and adjust with shims if necessary. i have done it before on an old buick, you should be ok.

the only problems ive had with valve jobs on a toyota is that the valves are so small you need a whole new set of tools!!!

 

Thats how the local shop here does them. Have had np with them