To shim or not to shim. That is the question.

Hello George ive just stripped my 19s engine didn't see any shims but that doesn't mean there wasn't any originally. just wondering how a shim would be used. you could measure any play in the inlet cam with that protruding through the case but the exhaust cam would be covered so i dont know how you would check that one. i don't know my self, just a thought.

Barry

George. In the absence of a reply from our singles men, here is my two pennuth. General engineering principle would suggest that, if you have end float, it needs to be virtually eliminated, normally with the use of pen steel washers; shims.

My 1959 manual also covers singles, and whilst yours is a little earlier, it is likely that a similar procedure would apply. It states (on dismantling):- .....timing gears may now be removed, ensuring that any shims fitted to either end on the spindles are not lost.

On reassembly:- If new timing gears are fitted then they will need checking for end float. When fully home in the case, the side of the gear should be clear of the boss carrying the pressure release valve. Shims should be added until this condition is obtained. Fit timing cover, pull & push on inlet cam spindle and shim up until end float is just perceptible.

Now for the sting in the tail; it goes on:- End float on the exhaust cam spindle can only be properly checked when crankcase halves are separated.

Ouch.....

Ian

Barry. My apologies. I was still typing my post when you added yours, so a singles man did reply!

Ian

its ok Ian. at least we know how to do the cam shims thats the main thing .

Barry

Doesn't mean there shouldn't be though, George. The manuals would refer to an engine being stripped possibly for the first time since it was built, or on the assumption that if it had been apart before then it was re-assembled correctly. Who knows what the PO may have done; y'know, putting it all back together and then finding a couple of thin washers on the garage floor, and not remembering where they went?

I am winding you up George! But, you never know.....

See you at Calstock no doubt, where we will all gather and listen to those cams rattling back & forth!

Ian

As the manual said George, you have to split the crankcases, which obviously I wouldn't bother, especially as the inlet is ok. Ian

Hello George. promise you wont laugh, here we go..the only way i can think of checking the exhaust cam wheel measurement is to make a nylon top hat bush no 2 as per diagram make it so it taps into the engine side bush 1 not a tight fit just enough to hold its self there.dont make it to long else it will make contact with crank i think .then without the exhaust timing gear in place fit the top hat bush then fit the timing cover and tighten up with a couple of screws so it contacts the bush it will find its level. then pull the cover off again then measure between points 4 on the diagram and compare it with the cam wheel and note the difference in measurement to give you and idea where you are with the play.

Barry

The 1955 (and 1950) ES2 parts lists show a "cam wheel packing washer" (or as Norvil call it, a "timing gear shim" on the outside of the exhaust gear. Mike Pemberton's excellent DVD does not mention either removing or refitting shims in the outside of the timing gears. Is that because Mike is working on a slightly earlier version of the engine? Any views? I don't want to have to remove the timing cover again! Cheers George

Previously Barry Carson. wrote:

Hello George ive just stripped my 19s engine didn't see any shims but that doesn't mean there wasn't any originally. just wondering how a shim would be used. you could measure any play in the inlet cam with that protruding through the case but the exhaust cam would be covered so i dont know how you would check that one. i don't know my self, just a thought.

Barry. with the engine stripped get the timing half off the crankcase [ only ] fit the exhaust cam [ only] and the outer timing cover. place all the bolts and tighten the up.. on the crank side off crankcase you can see the cam end poking through, wash and dry the end with petrol etc.. get a piece off duct-tape / and push it onto the cam end // OIL /WD./CAM BUSH-IN-TIMING-CHEST-FIRST.. ] HOPE FULLY YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK- UP-THE MOVEMENT..what you CAN- also do is LOCK-TIGHT / SUPER-GLUE A NAIL ETC. TO THE END OF THE CAM[ CRANK-SIDE] BEFORE FITTING IT.. AFTER FINDING THE SLACK WORK SHIMS IN TILL YOUR HAPPY WITH A LITTLE SLACK..CAN YOU TELL ME THE NOS-STAMPED ON YOU 19S.CAMS.. TOMMY. THATS THE WAY THE AULD-LADS DO IT..

hello Tom, thanks for that i will be rebuilding my engine up at a later date i will check and adjust as you describe on rebuild.

as for the numbers, i can see a 1 and 3 on both cam gears theres something else stamped on the ends of the shafts but cant work that out.

Barry