Steel head shim ???
 

I pulled the head today and found the intake valves just slightly kissed the pistons. I was using a custom head gasket .074 thick.
I have a steel shim.060 thick and a stock mls head gasket. 045 thick.
This will give me enough clearance.
I don't know wheter to take the stock muti layer gasket apart and put the shim inside?
Or to put the shim on the bottom against the steel block and put the gasket on top against the aluminum head?
Also should I use copper spray?
Thanks.

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

I'd guess giving up the quench will not be a good thing. Can you grind a lil more clearance in piston or move the cam?

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

do pistons have valve pockets or is it a flat top w/ no reliefs?

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

The pistons are domed with valve reliefs. I sent them back to the manufactureer (JE) To lower the compression. (originally 17 to 1) They cut the valve reliefs as deep as they could without weakening the piston. (only picked up .020) and shaved the dome to reach 12.75 to 1 with the .074 gasket.
With the shim the total thickness will be .105. So I'll pickup about .030, and lose a little quench and compression.
I've used copper shims a lot. And never had a problem. But never used the steel ones.

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

Art... generally if you move the cam, you pick up .005 to .007 per degree/ advance loose on the Intake pick up on the Exhaust.. retard pick up on the Intake lose on the Exhaust. Another solution would be to machine the valve face, combustion chamber side , for additional clearance. My experance on the flow bench has shown that the margin thickness on the intake valve doesn't affect flow...Exh is a different.So if your cam is in the happy place and the int valves are just kissing and your worried about it, then top those intake valves what you think they need...

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

Art, if the valves just lightley kissed the piston, i believe i would look at facing the Valves about .015! Be sure and reshim the springs! You could retard the cam a couple degrees and pick up .005-.007 more clearance!

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

Sorry Bub, i hadn't seen your post!

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

no problem Woodro.. however you don't want to face the valves for more clearance as that does affect flow / changes te back side- under head radius- been there...

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

Thanks. If the valves are bent (I don't think they are). I'll have the front side dressed a bit. I don't think they are bent(will pour alcohol in runner to make sure).
I'm running a dual cam motor. The intake cam is a couple of degrees advanced. the exhaust is straight up.
Thats what it liked on the dyno.
If the valves are good I'm just going to throw the thicker head gasket in and race it. I can't run a bigger cam till I design a new piston. (Over the winter)

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

Yep excuse me Bub, i am not saying thats the right thing to do, but the amount of flow lost to having bent valves, i think i would face the valves if all else has been tried, either on top side or with a valve refacer, whatever he has access to,! But then what do i know!!!!!!! lol

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

You know too much! hope I can retain as much as you've forgotten, but your correct that is the easy quick fix... I'm just use to doing these stocker engines and makin the heads fit the shortblock after it's assembled

Re: Steel head shim ???
 

Thanks guys. I can't do much with my existing pistons The cam I'm running would check legal in a stocker.
And I'm running a modified production motor class. I talked to JE and they can make a piston for me that will take up to .500 lift with a normal head gasket .045 and have 14 1/2 to 1 compression.
But that will be over the winter.
For now I'll just try to learn the ins and outs of this combo. Then build a killer motor and really learn how to go slow(but I have a head start in knowing how to slow it up)
Thanks again.