Ok, so i just checked my valve clearance today for the first time at 21,000 miles...My exhaust clearance was dead on perfect, but all of my intake valves had about half the clearance of the spec.(.003-.004 versus .008 optimal)

So i looked to see how much each new shim would cost thinking maybe $2 a piece. In case you havent seen a valve shim before, its about 1/4 in diameter, and roughly 2mm thick...

$5 to $8 ?!?!?! You freaking kidding me?!?
Thats just nuts...

Ok rant over, now a question.

Would a clearance that much below spec make my upper engine case noisy-er than normal? I would think that too large of a clearance would make it noisier.

 

Yes they're exspensive. They are precision machined to thousands of an inch and keep your valvetrain intact so I don't think its really that bad of a price.

Loose makes noise, tight makes hard starting but no noise. Your CCTL is problably whats making the noise.

 

Ive replaced the CCTL, CCT, the large guide on the other side, and the cam chain itself...lol
Its not hard to start at all too..hm..