Should we start a shim bank?

[Neil Lewis]

I ask this for the simple reason that 33mm tappet shims for the 2 litre Fiat engine (as fitted to teh 8-valve integrale) are getting hard to find and I need six to complete my cylinder head rebuild.

I have nearly 30 shims which are of no use to me and I'm sure there are people out there who have the same situation.

So these are the sizes I have :-

335x2, 365, 370, 388, 395, 419, 420, 422, 425, 431, 435x4, 437, 440x2, 445x2, 450, 455x4, 470x4

and these are the sizes I want :-

385, 400, 405x2, 410  (5 in all)

Any takers?  Sometime in the next two weeks would be great...

Neil

PS
I guess a similar situation exists for the 31mm 16-valve shims although those seem to be easier to get since they fir VWs too!

[Neil Lewis]

Well clearly no-one else thinks this is a good idea.  I guess you'll only realise the need when you have to shim your valve clearances.

Anyway you know what shims I've got if you ever need some.

Neil

[Kevin MacBride]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, these shims are stilll available ex stock from Fiat. I have maybe 1000 or so in stock of all sizes and have no problem getting what sizes I need. Maybe I should mention that I am a Fiat Dealership.
I sell them often enough as they are used in Fiat single cam engines, 128, Uno and Punto models (128 type engine) which have a popular race series in Ireland.

[Neil Lewis]

Yes, I'm sure I can get them from my "local" Fiat dealer (twenty odd miles away cos Fiat dealers aren't exactly thick on the ground around here) for a price.  But I used to be able to get them from my local parts shops for a couple of pounds for a packet of four.  Since that source has dried up and, if I've got 30-odd shims surplus to requirements, other people must have them too.  So what I was suggesting is a swap shop...

Neil

[Martin]

I think a shim bank is a good idea, useful, but they are not difficult to get hold of. Your info is incorrect as all integrale engines and many of the Fiat range use the same 33mm diameter shims, I'm suspecting there may be more engines using them to, Alfas maybe?



FIAT MODELS
124 - 125 - 127 1050/1300GT
128 - 131 - 132 - CROMA
BRAVA/O 1.9TDS - 1.9JTD  1995 > 2002

COUPE 2.0 16V - 2.0 16V TURBO  1994 > 1996
DOBLO 1.9 DIESEL - 1.9JTD  2001 >
MAREA 1.9TDS - 1.9JTD - 2.4TDS - 2.4JTD  1996 > 2002
MULTIPLA 1.9JTD  1998 >

PUNTO MKI 1.6 - GT TURBO - 1.7 DIESEL - 1.7TDS  1993 > 1999
PUNTO MKII 1.9 DIESEL - 1.9JTD  1999 > 2003
PUNTO MKIII 1.9JTD  2003 >
PUNTO GRANDE 1.9JTD  2006 >

STILO 1.9JTD  2002 >
STRADA 1100 - 1300 - 1500 - 1600 105TC - 2000 130TC  1978 > 1988
TIPO 1400 - 1600 - 1800 - 2000 16V- 1.7 DIESEL - 1.9 DIESEL - 1.9TDS  1989 > 1995
TEMPRA 1400 - 1600 - 1800 - 2000 - 1.9 DIESEL - 1.9TDS  1990 > 1996

UNO 1116 - 1300 - 1400 - 1300 TURBO - 1400 TURBO - 1.7 DIESEL  1983 > 1995
X19 1300 - 1500  1973 > 1989

LANCIA MODELS
BETA - TREVI 1600 - 2000  1972 > 1985
DEDRA 1600 - 1800 - 2000 - 2000 TURBO  1989 > 1994
DELTA 1300 - 1500 - 1600 - 1600 TURBO  1979 > 1992

DELTA 4WD 2.0 8V - 2.0 16V  1987 > 1991
DELTA EVOLUTION 2.0 8V - 2.0 16V  1991 > 1995

THEMA 2.0 8V - 2.0 8V TURBO 1984 > 1994
THEMA 2.0 16V - 2.0 16V TURBO  1988 > 1994

[Neil Lewis]

It's a great list Martin although it shgou;ldn't include any 16 valvel model because those all use the 31mm shims.  My point is that the aftermarket supplier can no longer supply.  Afterall, whoever heard of a Fiat single cam engine having its tappets adjusted, lol!  It's only us "specialist" who rebuild Fiat engines, the rest of the world just throws the cars away and buy a Volkswagen.

I know I can still buy these from a Fiat dealer (they're about a fiver each and have to be ordered in) but my nearest dealers are thirty miles away.  Like me, many of us must have a stock of used but un-needed shims which could simply be swapped amongst club members for the price of postage.  Not a bad idea but no-one on here seems the faintest bit interested.

Neil

[Martin]

I'm afraid you are incorrect Neil, the 16v Lampredi Twin cam uses a 33mm shim.

What 'Specialist' do you work for btw?

Martin.

[Neil Lewis]

It seems you are right Martin so I must apologise.  What I read was a parts supplier's catalogue, lol!  They said that the 16-valve engines take the same shims as VW and Volvo engines (Renault too I think) and those were described as 31mm.  I've just checked my factory workshop manual and I discovered that the tappets (buckets) are the same diameter in both heads so I must concur with you; they are both 33mm.  How they get all that into the head beats me.  Maybe the 31mm shims fit into some of the later Fiat engines.

When I said "specialist" I was referring to members of clubs like the LMC who do all their own maintenance.  In that context a non-specialist is someone who couldn't care less that we try to keep these cars going and that's probably nearly everyone.  We're a rare breed...  And sometimes we make mistakes, sorry.

Neil

[Martin]

No problem Neil, at least it has opened up some new avenues for you on your shim search eh? 

A 'Specialist' is more usually the term applied to an independant (of the original maker) trader who specialises in a certain marque or model, well it is to me anyhow!

Luckily there are many people who do care about their Lancias to balance out those that don't.

Martin.

[ben]

Hi Neil
          Just wanted to say rather belatedly that I support your  "shim bank" idea.I think I qualify as the sort of specialist you had in mind but I delayed replying before pending a survey of my stock(!). I regret that I still havn't done so but watch this space.
                               Ben