OEM 7mm Lash Caps

[stevesingo]

Does anyone know if there is an OEM that uses 7mm stem diameter valve lash cap where they can be ordered by size, something like 0.05mm increments?

Getting my own ground to size is a little tedious and it would be easier to have a stock available.

Thanks for the help.

Steve

Edited by stevesingo on Monday 16th February 14:14

[Soul Reaver]

I have about 30 of these in various sizes for 7mm valves. PM me and ill sell you the lot. They are £6 each from Arrow LOL but ill go easy on you

[stevesingo]

What size range do you have?

[stevieturbo]

If I could find the bottom of my desk...I'm sure I've something like that from an Alfa Romeo.

Not sure on thickness or OD though

[stevesingo]

FWIW I'm looking at in the region of 3.95-4.05mm on the inlets and 3.55-3.65 on the exhaust.

[Evoluzione]

Do you know what skirt length you need? I carry a few for my own use if you're ever desperate, but I tend to have them with shorter skirts for my use.
There is a supplier in East Mids somewhere, they carry blanks or will grind to whatever you need, if you want their number I can dig it out over the next few days.

[stevesingo]

Evoluzione said:

Do you know what skirt length you need? I carry a few for my own use if you're ever desperate, but I tend to have them with shorter skirts for my use.
There is a supplier in East Mids somewhere, they carry blanks or will grind to whatever you need, if you want their number I can dig it out over the next few days.

I forget the skirt length, I'll have to measure. I was hoping there was an OEM that produces them in 0.05 increments.

What sort of depth can you grind off blanks without losing hardness?

[stevieturbo]

presumably this is for an under bucket shim ?

Although more expensive...could you source buckets with built in stems to the correct size ?

[stevesingo]

Correct, under bucket shim. PITA for doing valve clearances.

[james7]

The Vaxhall xe uses 7mm valves. Standard are hydraulic lifters but the likes of SBD etc will sell a set to you. I used to get them from Arrow which used to be very cheap, I think, until they discovered what everyone else charged for them!

[Evoluzione]

stevesingo said:

I forget the skirt length, I'll have to measure. I was hoping there was an OEM that produces them in 0.05 increments.

What sort of depth can you grind off blanks without losing hardness?

The ones I get you can grind as far as you want, they are EN24T with a hardness of around 53-58 Rock'. My only worry if you ground them too far would be a slight possibility of there not being enough material left for it to hold itself together and it cracking under duress, not come across that problem though (haven't risked it!).
I think some air cooled VW engine uses them too, but not sure if this was OE or an aftermarket upgrade.

[stevesingo]

I think my problem is that the Arrow lash caps I have been using are 5mm thick, unground. In order to get to my desired 4mm and 3.8mm region I am grinding off too much material and therefore losing the hardness. This is why I believe I get increased gaps after only a short period.

The reason I was looking for EOM in 0.05mm increments is that the OEM lash caps will be hardened at the specified size.

The Arrow lash caps have 2.4mm depth.

http://www.arrowprecision.com/shims/171-top-hat-ty...

[james7]

stevesingo said:

I think my problem is that the Arrow lash caps I have been using are 5mm thick, unground. In order to get to my desired 4mm and 3.8mm region I am grinding off too much material and therefore losing the hardness. This is why I believe I get increased gaps after only a short period.

What engine is this for?
Have you spoken to Arrow? It was a good few years ago now but I have bought them in different sizes. Have you asked them if they can size them and how critical the hardening is?
I have always found them to be very helpful albeit a few years now since dealing with them.

[cmsapms]

Have a look here:

http://www.bar-tek-tuning.com/Schrick-Ventil-Einst...

7mm lash caps in a wide variety of sizes.

When I looked into this subject a while ago, I also found that Ducati lash caps were available in varying sizes for 7mm valve stems; eye wateringly expensive though.

Paul

[stevesingo]

0.05mm increments up to 3.50mm and then 4.00 and 4.50mm. No 0.05mm increments in the size range I'm looking for.

I'll speak to Arrow tomorrow and ask their advice.

Edited by stevesingo on Thursday 19th February 12:23

[stevesingo]

Spoken to Arrow and they say the lash caps are through hardened and can be ground down to 1.50mm from their unground 5.20mm as supplied thickness.

[Pumaracing]

Valve stem lash caps are always through hardened. You wouldn't case harden a little thing that size. OHC steel buckets are case hardened though to preserve some core flexibility.

If your valve clearances keep changing then check that the caps sit fully down on the valve tip and aren't snagging on any internal radii. They should be a sliding fit rather than being tight. The valve tips should have a decent chamfer and if necessary polish the o/d of the tips down a bit to get the fit right.

[Soul Reaver]

I think mine are 3mm up to about 4.5mm ill have a look and mic some up.