Maserati Biturbo!

15 of the 18 valves are shimmed correctly. Gotta find some 7mm x 3.5mm lash caps now.

Chevy did one reasonably intelligent thing with the 2300 Vega 4 cylinder design: the valves could be adjusted without taking the cam or etc out. They had a hole drilled sideways through the cam follower which was threaded, then a Allen screw went through that hole. One side of the Allen screw was ground flat but at an angle and the side of this screw contacted the tip of the valve. So as you threaded the screw in, you decreased the clearance, out increased it. The Cosworth was bucket/shim.

Down to 2 valves out of spec - they are both on the same bucket.

I called the Ducati dealership today, but the parts guys were closed. Apparently it is tradition for motorcycle shops to be closed on Mondays. I never knew that.

I'm hoping they will trade me some shims tomorrow, but I'm not banking on it. I need 2 3.5mm shims which are openers on the Ducati. I could use a couple more probably - I'll take 4 shims with me and sacrifice some synthetic oil to the Italian automotive gods tonight.

This thread needs more Italian expletives and enthusiasm, I'll start: Fantastico!!

Curmudgeon wrote: Chevy did one reasonably intelligent thing with the 2300 Vega 4 cylinder design: the valves could be adjusted without taking the cam or etc out. They had a hole drilled sideways through the cam follower which was threaded, then a Allen screw went through that hole. One side of the Allen screw was ground flat but at an angle and the side of this screw contacted the tip of the valve. So as you threaded the screw in, you decreased the clearance, out increased it. The Cosworth was bucket/shim.

My Vespa powered scooter has a similar arrangement. Neither my old Fiat or Lancia (same basic engine) had that, both had the shim setup. I'm definitely into simplicity now.

In reply to BAMF:

But the nice part about the Fiat/Lancia engine with the shims is getting the camshafts out is seriously simple with the engine in place, I agree though that the adjustable without CS removal is optimal...

Shims scored @ the Ducati dealer!

How many people go to the Ducati dealership to buy parts for their car?

Good news!

Damn you people!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2975356421.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2971835300.html

^^ Incomprehensible canoe

Jay wrote: ^^ Incomprehensible canoe

Thanks, Jay.

I got that one.

Crud monkeys! I hobbled out to the garage too shim the last 2 valves on the Bitrouble, using the Ducati shims I bought last year. While the height and diameter are correct, the bore is too small to fit over the valves.

And the batteries are dead in my digital micrometer.