Valve shims - one final question

[1340fxd]

Following-on from my last thread where I was having trouble using the shim tool - this was faulty and the replacement works a treat. It's my first time doing this job but following chrisu's guide it is going well.

I have found four clearances less than 0.05 so calculated what shim sizes I needed to find I can swap two shims and got two new ones. All well so far and job now finished and clearances all checked and all spot on.

Now to my final question. While doing this, turning the engine over slowly with a spanner, suddenly and to my big surprise one shim shot out of its bucket! I calmed myself down, used the tool to re-insert the shim and all appears well. However, how can I check the shims are all properly seated before I put the cover on and fire-up the engine? The thought of a shim bouncing out at engine speed fills me with dread. I would add that when I finally checked all clearances, none exceed 0.1 so over-size clearances are not the problem.

[chrisu]

i wouldn't panic. That shim probably wasn't seated properly.

Rotate a few time by hand and then on the starter if you're nervous.

[zed1015]

0.05mm is too tight and was revised to 0.10 mm because of valve seat burning.
Valve clearance should be .010mm to 0.15mm .
0.10 mm is minimum and aim for the higher figure.
Slightly wider at 0.16mm - 0.17mm wont hurt if your shim sizes put you there rather than the lower 0.12mm ish etc .
The valves will settle on start up anyway.