1uz tappet setting. DIY tricks

Tricks and tips for setting the Tappet clearance or valve clearance on the 1uz engine
For documents check here.
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The Cartune Company (2003) Ltd in New Zealand does 1uz and 3uz conversions / parts and wiring. We have been working on UZ Toyota V8 engines since 2004 when we did our own Hiace van to transport dirtbikes around NZ. Since then we have swapped to doing mainly just Lexus V8 work from a family owned farm hidden away in our paradise , surrounded by the NZ native bush. We sell parts and simple to follow wiring instructions for the 1uzfe engines. For enquiries email [e-mail] Take Care. Kelvin

[@billygreenhorn9275]

AWesome! I thought the cams had to be removed. I paid the dealer $1000 dollars Canadian to adjust the valves on my '92 SC400 back in 2003. Great vid Kelvin!

[@CartuneNZ]

This footage has been sitting in my editing software for ages and upon reflection it works well as a DIY tappet setting video. I have the proper tools as well so will do another when I get the chance. Cheers Kelvin

[@drrock5356]

@@CartuneNZ Lol! I wondered how the hell it was winter down there in NZ, when it's winter here in California! I hope your toilet is still flushing the correct rotation Bud!

[@jasonarmless4823]

@@CartuneNZ hiya I started to replace timing belt Was all going well until I found out that the cam pulley has destroyed itself round the front It’s the 1st Gen engine It’s the pulley has the letter L on it. If your looking at engine from the front it’s the one on right. Have you got a pulley I can buy off you…

[@CartuneNZ]

@@jasonarmless4823 yes, I have lefthand cam pulley. Engine position is always from the drivers seat so lefthand and righthand are always correct

[@6spd1uz]

Hey Kelvin, I’m having one hell of a week at work. I’m working on 2006 Lexus GX460 with a 2UZ. Vehicle came in for cam seals, thought to myself it would be an easy in and out job. I’ve also done them on my personal 1UZ which is an almost identical procedure. Get the seals in and the cams in start the vehicle and it’s ticking real bad and missing on 6-8. Pull the valve cover off and sure enough I had snapped the right intake cam in half ( heard a pop when installing the cam didn’t see any damage and when turning the motor over everything spun over fine). So then I get the new cam installed and it’s still ticking but runs really smooth. Pull the valve cover off to check valve lash. And the right exhaust valve lash is off. And the buckets are about 1-2mm lower than all the others. Did a leak down test and heard no air coming out the intake or the exhaust. I don’t understand how the valve lash is off on those 2 valves? Can you please give me some insight!!??

[@jdm_obsession]

Saved me once again thank you for all your info

[@TonyPannell]

Kelvin, I love all of your videos and have learned so much from you through your channel.. I don't want to take up your time but if you spot this comment and want to throw some advice my way... please tell me what I should do (keep in mind I am a poor boy on a thin budget) before replacing the 1UZ in my SC400 (350k miles) in order to get the most out of the new motor I've just purchased (174k miles).. Even being on a small budget I will listen to your advice and just wait it out if anything is out of my current financial reach.. Keep the videos coming, you are an asset to our community and and authority on these motors. Thanks for taking the time to put your experience and ideas on video and sharing them with us..

[@CartuneNZ]

Watch one of my engine prep videos, the one in the how to swap series is ideal. I'd replace all external rubber seals as the cost is quite low, but quite a bit of time so well worth it.

[@matthewfehr3477]

Very good video, keep up the good work.

[@angelescobedo2398]

Hello from las vegas NV USA, did you ever get around to making another video with the proper tools?

[@bvward]

Thanks, Kelvin!

[@CartuneNZ]

Glad you found it helpful. Cheers Kelvin

[@Onikisuu]

Hi Kelvin , Is it possible to do those rubber covers on the back of the tappet covers while the engine is in the car? Thank you for all your work the videos are a huge help !

[@kdfrkdfr]

I've seen pics of Toyota van ambulances in Japan apparently built with 1UZ engines from the factory. - I want to get the clearances re-set in mine. They don't clack loudly or anything but totally silent is best. Done 308,000 Km and who knows whether they've ever been attended to.

[@CartuneNZ]

I have seen a number of the 1uz Toyota ambulances over here in NZ and had a customer recently purchase one. Very cool setup. Tappet setting after 300K is a good idea. Cheers Kelvin

[@YhAFbwts]

I'd expect the clearances to be looser rather than tighter considering wear, surprising. I changed a lot more shims when checking my engines. Finding only one needing adjustment has me wondering if I need to recheck my work. I'll have to translate from metric to bananas though as we use proper measurement units over here in Canada

[@CartuneNZ]

All depends if the valve recession is greater or less than other wear, and with this valve train they get next to no wear anywhere else, hence more likely to be tight. I'm all out of bananas atm.

[@5lugfury352]

So much easier than unbolting the cams.

[@CartuneNZ]

Correct. No need to remove cams on the non VVti. Cheers Kelvin

[@bobbuilder5362]

Just going over my valve specs again. Kelvin have you ever measured a new or close to new engine ? Are the specs indeed 0.20 mm intake and 0.30 exhaust ? or are the closer to 0.15 and 0.25 ? Just curious as most of my specs are closer to the latter.

[@bobbuilder5362]

Just checked all mine, just about all within spec. Just about all at the tighter end of the range. However a few of the exhaust were in the 0.22-0.24mm range. Engine is quiet until up to operating temp then get a bit of chatter from the valves. Do you suggest aiming for 0.30mm ? or just leave alone, not sure how tight is too tight ?

[@CartuneNZ]

After years of doing tune ups back when Tappet adjustment was common I still prefer to get the exhaust clearances close to spec as possible. I try to avoid them being at the bottom of the spec myself so being me (fussy) I would be adjusting them a bit.

[@bobbuilder5362]

@@CartuneNZ Ok, thanks Kelvin. Definitely on my to do list. Makes sense that the my valve train gets noisier when hot due to clearances shrinking even further.

[@1uzfe]

very educational! I have one question tho. If for whatever reason I cannot buy new shims, would i be able to simply flip the current ones over? Of course I’d still have to check the clearances.

[@CartuneNZ]

Pretty sure the shims are the same thickness regardless of which way up they are.

[@TragedyStudios]

Have you had issues with the clearances after replacing cam seals on a VVTi engine?

[@larrylayhee2548]

So I just heard of camless engines Ecu controlled actuators Any thoughts?

[@CartuneNZ]

They are very cool and development is moving well on camless engines

[@nct9466]

You say a bigger or smaller shim, diameter bigger or smaller?

[@Rammoftheyear]

How many miles was on this?those valve covers were much nastier than my 98 with 200,000 miles

[@Rammoftheyear]

425km,that makes sense

[@BLAKEBENTZEN]

Question for you about the buckets: I accidentally nicked the bucket while putting a shim in. How easily does the shim need to spin inside the bucket? It will spin inside the bucket but it is more difficult than the others. Cheers!!!

[@CartuneNZ]

I like to have it spinning freely. The buckets are soft so easy to remove dags otherwise I flick a new one in. Better safe than sorry.

[@BLAKEBENTZEN]

@@CartuneNZ Thanks for the prompt reply!!! What is the easiest way to remove the bucket so I can clean it up? Its a 93 1uz non vvti thats in my toyota 4runner. Im new to the uz engine family so im treading pretty cautiously since I'm not experienced

[@CartuneNZ]

@@BLAKEBENTZEN its cams out if you have to remove bucket

[@BLAKEBENTZEN]

I figured as much... Bummer!!! I saw you have a video for 1uz vvti cam removal, do you have a video for 1uz non vvti? The videos of yours that I watched have been super informative and I would love to use as much of you content/tips as I can.

[@deanlathim681]

does the 2004 lexus GS400 motor fit in a 1999 lexus that had Gs400 ? are they the same motor?

[@CartuneNZ]

Yes, long blocks interchange fine.

[@6spd1uz]

GS400 was only made in 98-00

[@rexmundi2139]

What's th cost of this roughly, & who would be good in east auck? Thanks

[@CartuneNZ]

It costs how ever many hours it takes, and a pair of tappet cover gaskets. I allow 4-5 hours base time on well maintained car. But when lots require adjustment its not unusual to spend a day on it.

[@user-yv8ix1id5s]

Hi

[@bvward]

Joker Man!

[@user-yv8ix1id5s]

@@bvward

[@user-yv8ix1id5s]

What

[@bvward]

@@user-yv8ix1id5s كيف هي احوالك

[@CartuneNZ]

Hi.

[@nct9466]

Weird it’s a 1 valve per cylinder.....