Busted Shim Fell Into Valve... Anyone experienced this?

[srdrifter]

I am pretty sure I know the answer, I just want to confirm I'm in for some real intense work ahead... Basically, the motor was built last year and I've put only about 3,000 miles on the new internals (stock KA24DE). Stock aside from all the new internals (aries pistons 8.8:1, crower rods, ARP head studs, clevite bearings etc.. all the stuff to build it for a turbo).

I was getting the infamous "clicking" coming from the valve cover so I parked the car for a couple months and just got around to opening up the valve cover to pull off the timing chain guide (figured that was the problem). To my surprise I see a busted shim sitting inside the head with a dime size chunk taken right out of the shim in the shape of one of the lobes from the camshaft (on the intake side). Pissed me the Hell off. The lobe on the cam is all chewed up and so is the valve lifter. I guess I want to know a few things:1: Where could the rest of the shim be? I'm thinking it fell into the valve?2: Will I need to replace the whole valve since the lifter of it is mangled, or can I just replace the lifter? And what's all involved? 3: If I can't see the metal piece inside the valve (I haven't pulled the head off yet...) then where could it have gone and what else could it destroy?

I have the FSM and it looks like I can replace the lifter, but do I seriously have to submerge the head in oil and heat it up to 250 degrees F to get the lifter out? That seems like I'd need to go to a head shop...

Thanks in advance, and yes I searched but can't seem to find a thread like this.

[LayNLow240]

1: It is in the head or oiling system somewhere.2: You don't need to replace the valve.3: Refer to #1. If it is a big piece, it could clog one of the oil galleries, or starve the engine for oil if it is big enough to clog the oil pickup. But if it is that big, the only way that it could have gotten out of the head is if it jumps up and over the cams and down the front of the cover. It is probably still in the head, and if that is the case then it wouldnt really damage anything since it cant float.You do not need to replace the valve. But you do need to replace the cam that has the chip in the lobe. To get the shim and bucket out of where it sits, you will need to remove the cam on the side your working on, grab a magnet and pull it out. It is angled in there, so dont try to take it out straight up or it could get a little stuck. If that happens just try to wiggle it back and forth, up and down until it moves freely in its hole. Putting them back in is the same way. make sure you angle it to match the angle of the hole, then let it slide in.

[srdrifter]

Thanks for the reply. So if I don't need to replace the valve, that's good news. I'm just a bit worried about the lifter because the cam lobe was riding on top of it w/o a spacer (shim) and the top of the lifter is chewed up.

So when you say to get the bucket out are you referring to the lifter? I would post the pic but I'm a NICO newbie... If you have an FSM the pic of it is on "EM-23" - it is piece #7 called the "valve lifter".

If so then I guess it won't be as bad as I made it out to be. The cam is easy enough, and stock they are pretty cheap...

[LayNLow240]

Yes, I am talking about EM-21 part #7. It is called a shim and bucket, since thats what it is. a lifter is something the KADE doesn't have. the KAE and SR have lifters, but not the KADE. Just replace the shim and bucket with a new one, replace the cam, and hope for the best. If you really want the other piece out of the engine, use a strong magnet and move it about in the head to see if it is somewhere in there. If not it is probably in the oil pan.

[chicos240]

You are going to hate me for saying this.1) With that much money in your engine, spend HOURS looking for that busted piece..If you are lucky, it broke in ONE piece. If you are unlucky its 2 or 3 pieces.A) Pull the head. Put it in a large plastic tub and clean the **** out of it. Hope fully you find your piece. B)Drop the oil Pan and pray its there.C) Pull The engine and go through it with a fine tooth comb.