Is it possible to set the shims on the inlet and exhaust valves with the head removed. I am restoring a head and would like to set the valve clearances before I fit it.
You can bench shim the head but you must only do it with 1 cam installed at a time and with the head propped away from the bench surface otherwise you risk tangling and bending valves.
Once the head is bolted down though the clearances can change slightly ( usually tighten) so be prepared for that eventuality but if you take note of your shim sizes that are fitted it will be a quick job to work out what sizes are needed to correct any that shift.
