How do I measure valve shim thickness with this mic?

[atikovi]

The spindle is too thick to fit into the bucket shim for a measurement. Do they have adaptors to put on the end of the spindle? Or is there a precise thickness insert I can put in the bucket and subtract from the overall thickness measured?

 

[Jsf721]

Looks like a paper or plastic film thickness micrometer

 

[APEowner]

I just stick a ball bearing of the appropriate size in the hole or use a depth mic.

 

[A_Pmech]

I just stick a ball bearing of the appropriate size in the hole

Ball bearings are incredibly useful for gauging.

 

[atikovi]

It's a regular 1" Mitutoyo 293-761 digital mic. Don't think I can use a ball bearing because the center of the bucket has a dimple and it would throw off the measurements. Really need a round 5mm diameter disc 5 to 10mm thick but can't find anything like that.

 

[joel63]

I just stick a ball bearing of the appropriate size in the hole or use a depth mic.

This is a winner!!! ^^^^

 

[retDAC]

It's a regular 1" Mitutoyo 293-761 digital mic. Don't think I can use a ball bearing because the center of the bucket has a dimple and it would throw off the measurements. Really need a round 5mm diameter disc 5 to 10mm thick but can't find anything like that.

Could you cut off a piece of an appropriate size junk drill or hex bit?

 

[Bob-B]

When I had to measure "lash caps", I used a drop style dial indicator & magnetic base on a cast iron surface plate. Use a flat tip that fits in the bucket. Zero the indicator to the surface plate, raise the tip, and let it rest inside the bucket.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Silly me. I thought they would stamp them on the side !

 

[Steven67fr]

End of some vernier calipers?

 

[atikovi]

Silly me. I thought they would stamp them on the side !

They wear so you still need to measure them. Going with the measured ball bearing and hope it won't be too far off.

 

[rsanter]

Wait, you need to know where the lash cap rides on the end of the valve.
If you have a *** or num inside the bottom of that can then I will guarantee it does not ride there so bearing from that inside dimension is worthless.
Looks like you are measuring the correct dimension and are measuring gap from the end of the valve wrong

Bob

 

[atikovi]

The picture is to show that the mic spindle is too large to fit in the shim, I'm not actually taking a measurement.

 

[rsanter]

If all that is is an example of a problem then yes, they have adapters and they also have mics that have smaller spindles.
How much precision do you need? A digital caliper with the adapter set will be a little easier to use in that circumstance

Bob

 

[longlivepunk]

Are your standards small enough to fit in? The standards I use are all smaller than the spindles on the micrometers, I'd just grab the 1" standard and stick it in, no?

 

[atikovi]

Might not fit if it's a 0-1" mic, no?

 

[BillK]

ATI,
Like the others have said, find a ball bearing that will fit or anything else that will go in there.

Now I just have to ask, that is about the smallest one I have seen, what in the world kind of engine is it from ?

 

[atikovi]

It's a Toyota 2ZZ-GE like in a Celica or Matrix.

 

[BillK]

Interesting. I have done a couple of those heads but don't remember those little shims. They might have brought the heads to me without the cams etc.

 

[CloseEnough]

The back end of a pair of calipers.


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[BillK]

The back end of a pair of calipers.


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That will not measure what he needs to measure on this shim.

 

[davethorik]

as was stated before, depth mic. depth mic down into the cavity...then subtract that from oal to get thickness.

 

[bamatj]

http://www.mscdirect.com/product/76404102 This is an example, you might can find them cheaper.

 

[atikovi]

http://www.mscdirect.com/product/76404102 This is an example, you might can find them cheaper.

That's probably a Chinese knockoff. Ordered a USA made Fowler set for $46 total at http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=FOW52-249-007

 

[diggerrick]

Measure valve with and without shim.

 

[BillK]

Ordered a USA made Fowler set [/url]

I would be very surprised if the Fowler set is made here. I have nothing against Fowler mics, I have three of them, but they all say "Japan" right on the tool.

 

[atikovi]

Says right on their website that this is made in the USA http://www.fvfowler.com/index.php?p...e=flypage.tpl&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=29

 

[atikovi]

Would have prefered Mitutoyo since I have that mic, but they are $36 EACH piece.

 

[BillK]

ATI<
You jinxed me I got a 6 cylinder Subaru head in here today and it has even smaller lash adjusters than you have !

 

[CloseEnough]

That will not measure what he needs to measure on this shim.

Why not? Measure the whole thing, then measure how deep the hole is with the back end of the caliper and subtract it.


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[atikovi]

then measure how deep the hole is with the back end of the caliper

Can't do that accurately enough for the precision required. Besides the fact that a caliper is a tenth as precise as a mic, if you don't hold it absolutely vertical when measuring, (which is hard enough to do by hand) the reading could be off by a few shim sizes.

 

[BillK]

Why not? Measure the whole thing, then measure how deep the hole is with the back end of the caliper and subtract it.


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And the "back" side of the shims are usually not machined good enough to be used as a measuring reference.