HELP! Head spring shim?

[Intlcutlass]

HELP!!!

 

I'm getting my heads done, and the only thing I'm missing are the "Shims" that go on the bottom of the spring. I have everything else.

Thing is, I can't find these anywhere. All the parts I bought are listed as Proformance parts, and I got through ARI. I have the springs, retainers, keepers, and rods, But I still need (what the guy who is doing the work is calling a) "Spring shim". Any info on these would be great. The stock shims don't seat flat on the spring, and they can't be machined at all, as they are too thin. I wan't to get the correct part on order asap. It's for a 3.1 alum. head from a grand prix turbo. ARI told me they din't have em, and the GM dealership doesn't seem to either....

[Intlcutlass]

Apparently, the shims I need are:

 

1.3365 od

529 thousanths

40/ 2000ths thickness

[JS91Z34]

Check with any Cylinder head machine shop or reputable engine builder. they can get them. Those shims are used to correct installed height of the springs. Who is doing these heads by the way?? curious

[Intlcutlass]

My brother In law is helping me out. He's a Master Mechanic for a trucking co. He used a Napa in Middlefield OH, that also has a machine shop. The guy who's doing the work knows his shit, but couldn't find the shim, and last night, I found out why. I bought all proformance stuff for the heads. I got a kit frim ARI, and apparently, because the springs are much stronger, than stock because there is also an inner spring. When you pop the shim in, the top of the shim hits the bottom of that inner spring. ARI told me last night that "some people have reported problems with that". My guy at Napa, told me, thats BS. Everyone would be having this problem, it's just that some people drop off there heads to someone who will just throw eveything together, and the owner would probably never know. So I told ARI that I needed those shims. They advertise that that kit has the same parts that they use in their proformance heads, so I know they are available. I talked to a "Dave" there, and I told him I had just spent $300 on that kit plus a double roller timing chain. He said he would send them out, and took down my adress. I will let you know how the progress goes....

[JS91Z34]

Well cylinder head shops usually do extensive measurements to determine if the cylinder head is serviceable. I spent a little over 800 bucks on a turbo 4 cyl head. That 800 bucks went to springs, cam, followers, three angle valve job, bigger valves, and port/polishing. Cylinder head machine shops vary in services. Hope everything works out for you and good luck!

[Intlcutlass]

Well, I hope this doesn't spin you up too much , but just for the heads to get em put together, 3 angle valve job, and resurfaced on the bottom was $230.00. The parts were $299.00 for a grand total of about $550 with tax.

My deal was my brother sends the guy all sorts of buisness, so I got a break.

[NeverSayDie]

Let me know if you get those shims. I'm still not finished and could still stuff them in there before the intakes/valve covers go on. That PM I sent you says the same thing as this post, I didn't read the post first!