[Shotimes] 60,000 mile check -- tools and supplies

[Al Fitz]

 I agree with what you say Don, if any of the three parts on the front of
the
 engine needs to be replaced, then do all three.


 Al Fitz
 alfitz@alfitz.com
 SHO Parts at
 http://www.alfitz.com/sho
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> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Donald Mallinson" <dmall@mwonline.net>
> To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 7:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [Shotimes] 60,000 mile check -- tools and supplies
>
>
> > Al and others,
> >
> > The 60k mantra is pretty well known, but we don't want to
> > get some incorrect information out there.
> >
> > We know from long experience that valves CAN get out of
> > adjustment before 100,000 miles.  Also shims can wear.
> >
> > The basic advice that I have given for years is this:
> >
> > Cam belt can go 100,000 miles on the MTX or ATX, but try to
> > get it changed by that time, although we have experience
> > with many cars going 150,000 and beyond.
> >
> > If you DO replace the cam belt, it is a good idea to
> > consider replacing the crank sensor and water pump.
> > Although Al, the water pump doesn't always go by 100,000
> > miles, we know that a lot of them do.  Evidence of leakage
> > around the weep hole (trail of different color from the
> > hole, even when dry) on the water pump means it is time to
> > replace.  Cam sensor isn't that expensive and while there,
> > why not do it.
> >
> > Yes, you can get along without both, but if you have the
> > front of the motor apart anyway for a belt, that is the
> > bigger part of the labor involved with changing the other
> > two.  IF you plan on keeping the car a long time, then
> > consider changing those two items with the cam belt.
> >
> > As for the valve check, getting the intake off LOOKS
> > intimidating for the first timer, but is really easy once
> > you do it one time.  And not expensive.  Gaskets CAN be
> > reused if in good shape.  The best advice, is that if the
> > valves are quiet, chances are you are in good shape.  IF the
> > engine is getting some valve noise, then pull the covers and
> > check at least the first 100,000 miles, than it would be a
> > good idea to check the shims/clearance (while in there)
> > every 50-60,000 after that.
> >
> > At 140,000 I replaced three exhaust shims, and this is
> > pretty typical.  They were just on the edge of the range,
> > and while there, I went ahead and changed them.  I optimized
> > a few others while there since it didn't take that much more
> > time.
> >
> > The shims DO wear out, sometimes even with regular obsessive
> > oil changes on cars driven easy.  Probably because of poor
> > heat treating or metal on a few shims, it happens.
> >
> > If a shim goes, it can take a cam lobe out in short order,
> > so that is the reason for regular checks.
> >
> > I isn't a good idea to take the attitude "if it isn't broke,
> > don't fix it" when parts are so expensive, and down time so
> > unhandy.  Also, once you have done it, removing the intake
> > and valve covers is an easy job.  For those that haven't
> > done it, Josh's 60k video is a good investment.
> >
> > Don
> >
> > George Fourchy wrote:
> >
> > > On Tue, 2 Dec 2003 16:06:53 -0800, Al Fitz wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >>I know I'll
> > >>hear a bunch of shit about that but it is so unusual to find one that
> needs
> > >>re-shimmed if the car has had regular oil changes.
> > >
> > >
> > > I'll agree with Al on this....as many of you older listmembers know,
my
> car went
> > > 201k before the cam covers came off, and there was one valve that was
> .02 off of the
> > > desired spec.  We changed that shim so I'd see how it was done, but
the
> others are
> > > still the way they came from the factory.  That was 62k miles ago.
That
> was also
> > > the only valve adjustment it'll get on its way to 300K miles.
> > >
> > > Its replacement has a +/- 70K  3.2 engine blessed by Mark Nunnally.
> Unless I hear
> > > something REALLY strange coming from it, it won't ever get a valve
> adjustment during
> > > its admittedly more leisurely journey to the ripe old age of 30 years.
> Oil changes
> > > every 3K miles are the secret, and I'm sticking with it.
> > >
> > > George
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