Valve Shim Kits

It seems like its about time to check/adjust the valves on my Xj700 Maxim X (water cooled). The service manual says 26,600, but most people seem to recommend doing it around 15k miles and I am up to 19k miles. I don't have too much of a garage, but one of my buddies does up the hill from me. I am hoping to do the job in 1 day, so I won't have the option of measuring my clearances, checking what shims are currently there and then ordering the exact ones I need. It seems like I should just get a full-on kit so as to be prepared for the job and able to do it in just one day.

Any recommendations for complete shim kits? I was thinking one of these

http://www.procycle.us/hotcams/valve_shims.htm

It looks like the 29mm diameter kit would do, what do you guys think?

 

You're very likely to need 2.65 and 2.75 shims, which aren't included in the kit. Then there is a decent chance you'd use more than 2 of the shims you do need. Also you're very unlikely to use a shim under 2.55 or over 2.80.

You'd be better off to contact Chacal (info @ xj4ever.com) and order 4 each of the shims 2.55-2.75. It'll cost you way less than that kit and you'll be much more likely to have the shims you actually need.

 

The XJ700-X water-cooled engines do not use the 29mm shims; in fact, they use tiny "adjusting pads" that go under the lifter bucket, unlike all the rest of the XJ-series (air-cooled) engines......

 

and thats why I am glad I asked

 

unfortunately, you still have to "read" the shims to decide what to put in. With an "X" motor, you will need to check and record (ALL) your clearances, and then PULL THE CAMS to read the shims. RECORD them all, even the ones that are in spec (now) it will give you a head start for next time.

Might want to reconsider the "do it in one day" idea...

 

Well, I have done the valve clearances on three different Maxim Xs. IMO there is no way you will be able to predict the sizes of the 'underbucket' pads (not flat shims) you might need.

You will have to take your time and work out the optimum redistribution of existing pads to get as many valves into spec as possible. This minimises the need to buy new ones at around $8 each (from Zanottimotor.com).

HAP on Maxim-X.com has an Excel spreadsheet that works out the combinations and permutations.

Not a one day job unfortunately

 

Well said...