Volvo Maintenance Hints for 7xx/9xx - Bill Garland's Nuclear ...

shim value needed at each valve. (Always err on the loose side or more clearance if you must err!) Compare
the new determined shim numbers to those available from other valve positions and allocate your existing
shims to as many locations as possible. The missing values are the ones you need to order from your Volvo
dealer along with a new cover gasket. Once the new shims arrive, go back to the car and move the existing
shims to their new locations, install the new shims in the proper spots and save the leftovers for some other
time. The next time you can probably guess which shims are likely to be needed and order them before starting
the project. Good luck. I got a lot of satisfaction in doing the job and saved the cost of the tools the first time. If
you have no tools, see the FAQ section.
Valve Adjustment Tool. [Inquiry] Anyone know where I can purchase a tool to depress valve springs so I can
change shims? I know one is available from Volvo but is expensive for infrequent use. [Response: Jim
McDonald] Mine is made by:
S.P. TOOLS/SCHLEY PRODUCTS INC.
5350 EAST HUNTER AVE.
ANAHEIM HILLS, CA 92807
TEL: (714) 693-7666
FAX: (714) 693-8558
P/N 81350
It's a lot cheaper and simpler than the Volvo tool.
How To Adjust Valves If You Do Not Have the Tools. [Tip] I did mine when I was replacing the timing belt at
about 120k miles.
● I measured all the clearances with a feeler gauge
● Then I removed the timing belt and unbolted the cam
● Then flipped out the disks that needed to be replaced with some sharp object (paperclip?l)
● Measured the disks I removed with a vernier caliper to see if I could re-use any of them in another spot.
● Ran down to the Volvo dealer and picked up the disks I needed. Take a calculator because you likely
measured them in inches and he sells them in mm.
● Put everything back just as I found it. Lubricate the cam bearing shells, tappets, and the cams. Install the
cam with the guide pin for the timing gear facing up. Lubricate the caps and Install them and the nuts,
starting with the rear cap and first just tightening the nuts lightly to position the cam. End with the center
bearing cap. Then crank the cam down evenly with carefully torqued nuts on the cam bearing caps
(20Nm or 14 ft-lb).
● The result will be corrrectly adjusted valve clearances.
No special tools other than a torque wrench.
Valve Stem Tip Rubber Cushions. [Tips from Dick Riess/John Sargent/David Hunter] The B21/23 and
B200/230 series of engines are overhead cam with solid cam followers. Valve adjustment is made by changing