'94 854Turbo Resurfaced Head came back from shop with a shim

[GDiode]

Has anyone heard of using a shim to give more clearance? I don't know if I just found a shop that doesn't do Volvo's or that just screwed up on my head at my expense. They said that the machinist recommended that I use a shim with the resurfaced head. I don't know if it was for more clearance with the valves. But then I think it was the owner said that I shouldn't put anything between the block and the shim just between the head and the gasket. I thought that sounded weird and when I asked if I shouldn't use the anerobic sealant between all the surfaces he said no you don't need to use that stuff just the regular stuff would be fine. I should have called the Indy shop in Grants Pass, ReVolvo West and asked him who he uses in town for machine work. Hindsite being 20/20 and all. Any advice guys. I split this off of the original post from August about Alot of Codes. My, how much learn and how much there still is to learn.

[JimBee]

The only way to get a good seal on either side of the head gasket is to not use any sealant or shim stock on those surfaces. If too much material was machined off the head you might need to visit the junk yard and get another head to start over. If so, I would expect your machinist to cover the cost but you wouldn't want him to do the second one.
You'll need to find out if in fact too much was machined off. I guess the way to do that would be mic the height of the head from gasket surface to top (without the camshaft cap installed). If somebody on this site has a head lying around maybe they can tell what it should be.
Or if you can access another engine rebuilder in your area (who is reputable) take to him and ask for an opinion.

[Ou2mame]

Not using the right sealant can lead to all kinds of problems with the oil channels getting clogged because the sealant gunked them up. I would definitely want to know how much was machined off. There is a limit to how much they can take off. If it was so warped that they had to remove more than that, then they shouldn't have done it in the first place.

[GDiode]

I was told that even though I was bringing it in for the burned valve they always check to make sure the head isn't warped. I took the head bolts off in the correct pattern and backed them out in the correct amount each time. The head gasket wasn't blown, it hadn't overheated or anything. I can't afford to take another head to a different shop because of the ineptitude of a machine shop that should have known what they were doing in the first place. I'll have to call ReVolvo West, the local indy shop and ask them to take a look at the clearances. I'll also have to look at the invoices that I got to see what they took off. I do have a head from my parts car that is exactly the same model and trim but a 95 instead of a 94. I could take it in to the same shop and tell them to do it correctly this time, for free. If anyone knows what those clearances should be that would be great. Or if anyone has any experience using a shim. I would like to know how it went.
Thanks, Shannon

[RussB]

How thick is the shim? Where is this shim supposed to go, between the cam cover and head, or the head and block?

You can not have any shim between the cam cover and head, just the sealant.

Ask how much material was removed when the re-surfaced it

[alschnertz]

It sounds to me like the machine shop may have taken too much material off the head. That's their mistake in my opinion.

And to fix it with a shim? I've never heard of using a shim between the block and head or between the head and cam cover on these engines. You've got to get some clarification of specifically what this guy is talking about and/or what mistake they made.

Also, you do not use "just the regular stuff" as a sealant between the head and cam cover. What's "just the regular stuff" anyway? It does make a difference - and a huge one at that.

[BEJinFbk]

I don't think I'd let these guys touch anything else of mine...

First point - No additional work should have been performed without your input.
Second Point - It doesn't sound like these guys know Volvos. "Regular Stuff" ? C'mon!
Third Point - A Shim? Really? Their bad, they should make it right.

Get it fixed correctly and stop by with the work order and
invoice from the shop that knew what they were doing.

You may not get reimbursed, but they might learn something.

[GDiode]

Instructions for shim

front of shim

Here's what is on the tag that was attached to my head:
48.5mm+-.4mm
1.9095+-(.)016
1.565-1.575 I
1.565-1.575 E
1.560-.565

So it shows that it is from .020 cold rolled steal. Hopefully the pictures of the shim I uploaded show up.
Thanks,
Shannon

[GDiode]

I'll call my local indy shop on Monday about what they think about the shim and take it in for them to get a look at it.
Then I'm probably just going to have use the shim.
So here would be my game plan.
The instructions that came with the shim say "to apply liquid or spray sealer to block side.'
So I'm going to use the anaerobic sealant on the block.
Lay the shim on that.
Should I spray the head gasket on both sides with the Permatex Copper Spray like the instructions on TracyTrueSoaps shows?
Thanks, Shannon

[rspi]

If you go to the VolvoSpeed facebook page, you can get some answers from a few Volvo mechanics (not trying to discredit anyone here). I have NEVER heard or read of anyone using a spacer.

I would NOT recommend using anaerobic sealant between the head a block. Maybe that copper stuff if you are going to give it a try. The anaerobic sealant that goes between the head and cam cover is a sealant assistant and does not have to endure extreme pressure or temperatures that a combustion chamber will deliver.

You can actually check your spare head for trueness, if you have a straight edge that you trust.

Sad to hear about your machine shop.