[Evocanuck]

Hello Fellow Bikers: I am installing a new cam. My question is does the shim go on before or after the thrust washer. Another words does the thrust washer go against the cam bearing and then the shim or is the shim against the cam bearing and then the thrust washer?? Thanks in advance for your help.

[chucktx]

ya workin on a small block chevy????? maybe a honda?? just a bit more info please!!!!!!.........................

[Lucifer]

Hey Chuck , Small block Chevy forum in around the corner . I'll take a stab in the dark . Evocanuck...hmmm I'm gonna guess it's a 1340 harley and he's a fellow Canadian . Evo... I 'm not sure about shim's but there are different size thrust washers to achive proper end play.The end play should be between .005"-.015". Install the cam,lock washer and thrust washer. Put the cam cover and a new gasket on and tighten to 120 in/lbs Slide a feeler guage in thru the lifter bore and measure in about 4 different spots. Then by adding the size of the thrust washer installed and your feeler guage measurement to know what size thrust washer to install .I would try to get it as close to the .005" as I can so it will take longer to wear out to the .015" mark. But as long as your in the range you should be good to go.

[chucktx]

lucifer....i think that was a good call!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks!

and im sure the fellow canuk will apreciate it!..........

[Evocanuck]

Thanks for the feedback guys.Hey Chuck I guess I could have at least told you the engine type(a little oversight on my part.).But Lucifer, you hit the nail on the head. Yes it is an evolution. 96 Heritage to be more precise. I am surprised you have never heard of cam shims. I am installing an Andrews EV46 cam.It comes with a shim for post 88 Evo engines. If you go on the Andrews web site, they will talk about the shim in the installation procedure. But they do not tell you in what order to install the thrust washer/ shim. I personally think the thrust washer sits next to the bearing and the shim next to the cam. Another words slide the shim on to the cam first then the thrust washer then install the cam into the bearing. Anyway thanks for your feedback. I will get my thoughts confirmed before I bolt everything up.

[Lucifer]

I'll check out the Andrews site. I was talking to my bud last night and asked him about shims/thrust washers. He's been a HD wrench for quite some time now and he said the lock washer goes in by the bearing ,it helps keeps the bearing from moving and then the shim. When I asked what he meant by shim he said its really a thrust washer.So to make sure ( I always double and triple check with him on things ) I asked would you put original thrust washer on and shim it and he said NO. If you put a shim there it wouldn't take long for a thin shim to get chewed up and there goes your end play not to mention pieces of metal being in there.
It could be a little confusion on whats a shim and whats a thrust washer and a whats a lock washer, so on the end of the cam there should only be 2 things. 1 washer and 1 shim. What they are called is not as important as long as there is only 2 of em. It makes sense to me that if you had a small say a tiny .008" washer/shim it would get eaten up by the cam fairly fast.
But to answer your question the variable thickness shim would go by the cam. Hope this makes it as clear as mud for ya. . I'm gonna check out the Andrews site to see what s called what. Good luck with your build!!

Hey Chuck, with the milage HellBoy's gettin with his Sporty.I think he's on the Small Block Chevy site ...No Offence HellBoy

[Lucifer]

Just checked the Andrews site. What they called a shim I called a thrust washer. Andrews calls em shims S&S calls em thrust washers. End play is a little different on andrews site than what I said too, go with theirs eh. They know a Heck of a lot more than me.

[SPORSTERBOY]

LIKE CHUCK ALWAY'S SAY'S, A MANUAL IS THE BEST TOOL IN THE BOX LIKE I'M ONE TO TALK

[Lucifer]

Just checked my Parts catalog. Another great tool for the box SportsterBoy (We know you secretly have them )HD calls em thrust washers too, but whats in a name , shim is easier to say and spell HD makes shims from .045" thick up to .095"thick. I can't remember if you can get them single or if you gotta get a bag full.They(Stealer) or an Indy may have some on hand, I prefer Indy's myself.But when you get the size you need I can give you the part number if you like. They get thicker by .005" each.

[Evocanuck]

Thanks for your help Lucifer. I think we've been talking the same thing here, maybe just the lingo is a little different EH. That is the way I have it installed(thrust washer against the bearing then the shim)I just wanted some reassurance that is the correct orientaion of the shim/thrust washer. I asked the wrench at my local Harley dealer today and he confirmed the same thing as well. I think I will just button everything up and go CRUISING. Thanks a lot. Great forum. Keep up the good work EH!!!

[SPORSTERBOY]

I'M BEYOND THE CATALOGS, GET THEM AND LOOK AT THEM SO I KNOW THE PROPER NAME, SO I CAN SURF THE NET TO FIND IT CHEAPER

[hotroadking]

Are you talking about the little metal tabbed ended doohicky with the hole in the middle or the round metal whatchamacallit that fits over the end of the metal stick with the bumps on it?

[Lucifer]

Yeah Thats it, Why didn't you say that the first time