redskinman

Ok thanks.Maybe he just meant they dont have them in stock,I'm not sure.He seemed very reluctant to do it and so did the other place.Can anyone recommend someone in the Houston area?

Andy A

Sometimes you can switch them around so you don't have to order as many. I ended up replacing all 12 because a number of them had some really strange wear patterns. It is probably an estimated week job because you have to tear off the upper intake, measure all your clearances, pull those shims where the clearances are not within spec, figure out what new shims you need, order them, wait for them to come in, install them, measure clearances again and if all is good button everything back up.

There is a special tool needed to compress the lifter to remove the shims without removing the camshafts. They are sold on amazon for about 30 bucks. I just found it easier to remove the camshafts since I was replacing them anyway. Will also need a good set of dial calipers or micrometer to measure the thickness of your old shims.

It is also a good time to replace the valve cover gaskets and cam plugs. I find the Toyota valve cover gaskets to be the better made ones. Plus you will need the upper to lower intake gasket.

Do you know when the last time a timing belt was done on it, if not it would be a good opportunity to do that at the same time. Just throwing that out there.

RSR

FWIW, I had my mechanic do mine, and he's a Toyota specialist, and did the camshaft removal route as he said that would be cheaper and faster than trying to use the lifter tool in a restrictive space... And he really didn't want to adjust the valves due to it being a PITA but nevertheless did.

scope103

I'm no Toyota "specialist," but I'm comfortable saying he's wrong.

Using the simple tool (e.g, ) will take you 15 minutes to do the first one you do, then about 30 seconds each after that. (It's a little tricky the first time, but once you figure it out, it's very quick.) Removing the cam shaft requires de-tensioning the timing belt, removing the cam bolts and sprockets, the upper timing case-back, the cam bearings .... Your mechanic ought to pick up the tool, do one shim, and after that I bet he'll agree.

RSR

It was a couple years back now; don't recall all specifics. Shortly after I purchased the truck. I believe I was having the valve cover gaskets replaced as leaking (and plenum intimidated me at the time), the PCV valve, rear coolant bypass hose, and perhaps a couple other minor things. The mechanic found a bolt in the timing belt cover that was damaging the belt, so replaced that under warranty at no cost -- PO used the same shop and they did the timing belt, water pump, full AC rebuild, and some other items a year or so before I purchased.
I'd have to go and pull the old invoice, but it only took him 2 or 3 hours IIRC in labor for the valve adjustment portion of the job.

I know that shop doesn't see a lot of 3vzes from conversations w/ mechanic and owner so maybe that had something to do w/ it. A lot of lexuses, land cruisers, 22r/re trucks, and newer 4, 6, and 8 cylinder yotas go through as well. Small 2 person mechanic shop; the owner being one -- both were both dealership mechanics back in the 80s or so and owner just retired last year actually, so both are older fellas...