3200 valve adjustment

Boomerang_GT

Member
Messages
203
I've been working with Hill Engineering to bring an improved version of the factory tool to market. The prototype is in production right now and I'll be testing it soon...

Awesome! Even improved! :excellent:
I saw that some use the Ferrari spoon and I tried it with a similar tool but on the one side it could scratch the shims and on the other it was still tricky to access the shims from the side. Please keep us updated!
 

voicey

Member
Messages
660
I picked up the prototype today and will be testing it later this week. Standby for more updates...
 

voicey

Member
Messages
660
I tested the tool on a few valves last week and gave Paul the go ahead. Should be on the market soon.
 

Boomerang_GT

Member
Messages
203
I got mine today! Price is 203P without shipping costs. Not cheap but worth it.
The improvement seems to be a set of 2 asymmetrically tappet holders.
IMG_3014.jpg
Usually the tool has only one as far as I know.
Looking forward to finally doing my shims.
Could someone lease tell me where to get the right shims for a reasonable price? Don't need to b OEM Maserati.
Thanks!
 

Boomerang_GT

Member
Messages
203
Since I'm now through with the valve clearance adjustment I wanted to share my experience.
It's really a rather relaxing job, except 2 valve shims.
The 2 intake valves of the right bank, first cylinder in the front. I couldn't get the shims out from under the camshaft. So in the end I had to unscrew the upper camshaft. Luckily there is no force on it since almost all cams were facing up and this camshaft is not pulled down by the timing belt.
The interesting thing was than on this head, ONLY these 2 shims were completely under the limit. There was 0,10 and 0,05mm too little clearance.
Is it a coincident or was it neglected by the mechanics which officially checked it every 10kkm or last one 6.000km ago?
I doubt it!
On the left head there were several valves with too little clearance but only the front valves. Could it be they war out faster than the rear?
 

Boomerang_GT

Member
Messages
203
Diameter is 31mm
You have several options:
Buy them at Maserati for 17€ each. The problem is only, you would have to buy a large set or go there each time for each valve. It's hard to know beforehand exactly which thickness you need since also the size of used shims is almost never what is written on it due to wear. The good thing on Maserati OEM shims is that they have smaller steps like 2.90mm > 2.875mm > 2.85mm etc. But in reality it's only useful if you have a tool that can measure in these steps and I rather tend to give them a 0.025mm of extra clearance.

Then there is one seller on ebay where you pay 7€ for each shim but you need to return your old shim so in the end paid a lot, but still don't have a single shim at home.

Then there are several brands out there that produce these shims. The cheapest I found were from Metelli. The sizes you will need will be mostly from 3.05mm downwards to around 2.75mm
Most are between 2.95 and 2.85
The Metelli numbers I have at hand are:
3.05 - 03-0200
3.00 - 03-0199
2.95 - 03-0309
2.90 - 03-0308
2.85 - 03-0307
2.80 - 03-0306
2.75 - 03-0305
2.70 - 03-0304
2.65 - 03-0303
2.60 - 03-0302
Last year I could find them for around 2-4€ each at Motointegator: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Einstellsch...LLI-03-0308-/151830385281?hash=item2359cbd281
 

Rex B

Member
Messages
657
Eurospares are showing stock on a lot of sizes cost about £6 each.

Rex B
Manual 3200
 

Tamariini

Junior Member
Messages
102
Diameter is 31mm
You have several options:
Buy them at Maserati for 17€ each. The problem is only, you would have to buy a large set or go there each time for each valve. It's hard to know beforehand exactly which thickness you need since also the size of used shims is almost never what is written on it due to wear. The good thing on Maserati OEM shims is that they have smaller steps like 2.90mm > 2.875mm > 2.85mm etc. But in reality it's only useful if you have a tool that can measure in these steps and I rather tend to give them a 0.025mm of extra clearance.

Then there is one seller on ebay where you pay 7€ for each shim but you need to return your old shim so in the end paid a lot, but still don't have a single shim at home.

Then there are several brands out there that produce these shims. The cheapest I found were from Metelli. The sizes you will need will be mostly from 3.05mm downwards to around 2.75mm
Most are between 2.95 and 2.85
The Metelli numbers I have at hand are:
3.05 - 03-0200
3.00 - 03-0199
2.95 - 03-0309
2.90 - 03-0308
2.85 - 03-0307
2.80 - 03-0306
2.75 - 03-0305
2.70 - 03-0304
2.65 - 03-0303
2.60 - 03-0302
Last year I could find them for around 2-4€ each at Motointegator: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Einstellsch...LLI-03-0308-/151830385281?hash=item2359cbd281

Thanks for this info, i did valve adjustment last weekend and 11 valves out of 32 were out of factory specs. For some reason, 10 of those were on the left side cylinder block. I spoke to friend of mine who has QP with same engine and he had similar issue with valve lashes being wrong on the left head. What can cause that? Any idea?
 

Tamariini

Junior Member
Messages
102
So it seems that there is some structural element which causes bank nr1 to get out of specs... Mayde something to do with engine cooling differences between clylinder blocks?

How smooth should idle be on these? Mine is quite a bit smoother now after cam re-timing but you can still feel engine running while sitting on drivers seat. This is the only 3200GT which i have ever driven so i have nothing to compare to... Compared to Alfa V6, Maser is running with more vibration, should it?
 

Boomerang_GT

Member
Messages
203
Hi Guys!

Small update and answer to my question at #27
After now 21.000km that I have checked the valve clearances the last time, I was a bit concerned while high speed driving (>200km/h) at 35 degrees celsius.
So I checked them and..... not a single valve needed adjustment! That would be my answer to the question if the valve clearance was really checked by the dealership.
I assume it was skipped in the assumption that one time skipping will not matter which probably happened several times before.
So good thing is that during the 20.000km period, one must not worrie that the clearnce became too small, in case it was really checked before.
But I must admit that quite a bit long distance driving was involved. Maybe 70% highway. Maybe lots of city driving would cause more wear during the service period.
 

Lozzer

Member
Messages
2,285
It amazes me that valve adjustment wear would result in a too narrow valve clearance? I can't understand that unless they were set wrong from the factory. Wear gets bigger not smaller surely.
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,130
It amazes me that valve adjustment wear would result in a too narrow valve clearance? I can't understand that unless they were set wrong from the factory. Wear gets bigger not smaller surely.

The valve seat wears so the valve sits higher in the head therefore nearer the cam. Smaller clearance

or the tip and cam wear. Bigger clearance.
 

Boomerang_GT

Member
Messages
203
Exactly. And the number one reason for engine damages with the Diva.
So worth checking it!
BTW: I have the feeling that the valves of my car had never been checked before when I bought it with 67.000km. The sealings were rock hard and the sealing silicone that was put at the necessary spots looked like from factory.
 

Ellebi63

New Member
Messages
10
I got mine today! Price is 203P without shipping costs. Not cheap but worth it.
The improvement seems to be a set of 2 asymmetrically tappet holders.
View attachment 41932
Usually the tool has only one as far as I know.
Looking forward to finally doing my shims.
Could someone lease tell me where to get the right shims for a reasonable price? Don't need to b OEM Maserati.
Thanks!
Good morning,
Is it possible to get the link to purchase this tool?
Thank you in advance!
Have a nice day