PLEASE HELP: I’m in a head gasket job and didn’t note which rockers go on which valve spring

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Mellyman666, Nov 4, 2023.

  1. Mellyman666

    Mellyman666 Member

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    Hi!
    In the process of rebuilding the engine after a head gasket change. Followed gasket masters video. When I took off the rocker arms and the little caps on top of each spring, I didn’t note which spring they came from, as this info wasn’t mentioned anywhere as being super important (like big mentions for timing chains and stuff like that). So now I’m stuck because I can’t just put the valve shims (I think that’s what they’re called? I can’t even find the exact name of these caps), back on any spring, they apparently need to go back on the same spring.
    I read you can do some measurements to see which valve they go on and read about valve clearance but since I’m a complete newbie, honestly any info or procedure to follow would be appreciated. At this point I can’t really bring it to a shop, it’s all dismantled in my garage.
    I have a Toyota mechanic acquaintance coming for the timing chain and he’ll check these when he comes but told me to figure out which valve they go on as it’s a very long tedious process.


    Pics to show what part I’m talking about
     

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  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    PM sent. See attached. IMG_3402.jpeg IMG_3403.jpeg IMG_3404.jpeg
     

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  3. Mellyman666

    Mellyman666 Member

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    Ok going based on these diagrams I’m pretty sure the thingies I’m talking about are valve stem caps! So yeah apparently they’re all unique to like the valve stem? I had read this elsewhere as well and then the mechanic told me that
     
  4. Mellyman666

    Mellyman666 Member

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  5. Mr. F

    Mr. F Active Member

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    Is there any information to suggest they're matched to the valve stem, or that their wear pattern over time makes them so?

    Both intake and exhaust stem caps have the same part number. Ditto for the lash adjusters, rocker arms, retainer locks, retainers, springs, and seats. I don't think I would worry about it.
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah from what I’ve read don’t think it matters. IIRC in the Gasket Masters videos they just gather them up in a handful; no egg carton stuff.
     
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    There might be some confusion possible from reading about the 1NZ engine (used in Gen 1 and Gen 2 Prius, and in the Prius c).

    That engine does use select-fit bucket lifters (in 35 different sizes for intake and 35 for exhaust) and that's how the valve lash is adjusted. The OP might have seen threads on PriusChat that were about those.

    Because of the 2ZR engine's hydraulic lash adjusters, no such concern here.
     
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  8. Mellyman666

    Mellyman666 Member

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    I read a few places online that they need to go back in the same place, and in the manual it states to put them back where they came from but no extra info. For me it’s more the mechanic who’s really pushing saying it’s a big issue and that I’ll need to measure valve clearance or something like that, with a feeler gauge
     
  9. Mellyman666

    Mellyman666 Member

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    I read a few places online that they need to go back in the same place, and in the manual it states to put them back where they came from but no extra info. For me it’s more the mechanic who’s really pushing saying it’s a big issue and that I’ll need to measure valve clearance or something like that, with a feeler gauge
     
  10. Mellyman666

    Mellyman666 Member

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    I read a few places online that they need to go back in the same place, and in the manual it states to put them back where they came from but no extra info. For me it’s more the mechanic who’s really pushing saying it’s a big issue and that I’ll need to m
     
  11. Mellyman666

    Mellyman666 Member

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    It’s actually the mechanic who is like “supervising my work” who first started telling me it was super important but I’m not even sure he’s aware my Prius is a gen 3 -_-
     
  12. Mellyman666

    Mellyman666 Member

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    Great news just checked them in detail and they all have a diff number on them. Haven’t figured out what the number means yet but each has a unique number after the initial part number which I’m sure indicates something about position. So I will go down the google rabbit hole unless someone has some insight ;)
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Gasket Masters make no effort to put them in original location. Just think about it: it would be a nightmare if location was that critical.

    your sealant concerns (in other thread) are more crucial I think.
     
  14. bdc101

    bdc101 Member

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    The valve lash is made up by the hydraulic adjusters. On cars with solid lifters it is extremely important to get them back in the same place. But gen 3 Priuses it is not important at all. Any clearance between stem and lifter will be made up by the hydraulic lash adjuster.