major f*** up while doing valve adjustment-PLEASE HELP

attempted valve adjustment today.

all was going well and I had finally figured out how to get the shims out.

UNTIL...

I spun the crank to check the other 8 valves without replacing 2 of the shims I removed. As result I nicked one of the buckets and put 2 small divets in either end of the associated cam lobe.

The bucket does still seem to hold a shim OK.

I found the 2 chunks of material that came out of the damaged bucket so I know they are not floating around in the head.

My question is can I just let this go or do I need to start pulling cams to replace the damaged bucket. I have NO IDEA how to do that so I am hoping I can just let it go.

AGAIN, The bucket does still seem to hold a shim OK so maybe I dont need to worry about it?

check out the attached pics.

I included a pic of an undamaged bucket for comparison

thanks

 

I would dress that lobe up and let it ride especially if it has high miles on it.

 

Ouch! I think that with some emery cloth, and patience, you should be able to fix it. Use the emery cloth on the cam where the damage has occurred. Make sure that NO damaged areas are left rough, or with any sharp edges. The bucket is designed to rotate around to prevent "flat-spotting" but I do not see enough severe damage to warrant a full replacement.

 

Ok... So just smooth out the edges of the cam. I can do that. By the way, the truck has about 160k miles on it.

IF however I wanted to swap that bucket out for both experience and mainly peace of mind, does it just pull right from the top once the cam is removed or is there more to it?

Also, any trick to getting that exhaust cam out? I read in the FSM that you put a "service bolt" through both halves of the cam gear then remove your bearing cap bolts and the cam should just lift out.

Is it really that simple? If it's not a total PITA I'd prefer to just replace the bucket.

Thank you all for your advice

 

There are some cautions and concerns when swapping out camshafts. The exhaust camshaft is the easiest. The key is to find the proper loosening order of the cap bolts to prevent binding of the camshaft, or damage to the caps. Same for tightening. You can replace the bucket easy enough. After removing the shim you can lift the bucket out with a magnet. It may take a try or two as the tolerance of fit is tight, and oil creates a vacuum when trying to lift. The key is to slowly lift the bucket out. Don't try to just pull it out fast.

 

I got the cam out with little troubles and cleaned up the effected lobe with some fine emery cloth.

I attached a few pictures of the cleaned up lobe. hoping you folks can give a best guess blessing of it based on the pics.

There are still 2 little pits in it but I cant feel any sharp spots with my finger.

just let me know if i need to sand her up some more (and the best way to do so without ruining it) or let here ride.

thank again

 

I'd run it like that. I don't think it will cause any problems...

 

It looks acceptable for sure. Best of luck!

 

got around to putting everything back together today.

before putting the valve cover on I realized I hadn't rechecked clearances since changing out shims.

sure enough, 2 intake valves are now too loose instead of too tight. They both measure at .11" when spec is .06"-.10"

Is this enough to worry about?

I got frustrated and put everything back together because I was tired of waiting to hear my truck run again but now I've got heart burn about it.

is it ok to let it go or can I just put this thing to bed?

 

Hope everything works out for you. Sounds like your having a stressful experience. Out of curiosity, what do the shims cost?

 

I was able to get them for $7.80 a piece. I believe you can buy a kit for a couple hundred bucks

 

Where did you find the shims? Online or major parts outlet or.....?

 

Got them right from yota dealer

 

Be fine, might tap a little.
Turn up the radio.

 

better slightly loose than too tight...it is only .01 over upper limit...if you are anal, then put in the proper shim for piece of mind...

 

Exhaust valves are more critical to be right. If the lash is too tight, then it could burn the valves.

 

that is why I said loose, please reread my post...tight is a no brainer for problems...

 

Interested to see how this one ended. I did the exact same thing as you. I was swapping shims all over the place and it was dark. Thought for sure i had one in place until i heard that crunch. Did you end up leaving the cracked bucket? Have you had any problems??

 

New memeber - joined TW to bring this thread back. I made the exact same mistake as the OP and SOMDTACO above; rotated the engine crank by hand, forgot I had already pulled a shim from one of the intake lifters . I ended up breaking the edge of the lifter and putting a nick in the cam lobe. I've already ordered a new lifter; however, my concern is the nicked cam lobe - Have others had success smoothing the nick over and running the cam? I can provide pics later.

TIA!

 

I smoothed mine out using emery cloth. Been a couple thousand miles and no problems. Do you have a picture of how your bucket cracked? Mine actually cracked right where the gap was just making the minor gap a little bigger. I ended up leaving it in. I might have to see if I took a picture.