1997 Toyota Corolla ruff idle

156,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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MMERTEN
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i had just replaced the head gasket, head was warped and had it machined. lined up timing marks as best as a could very hard to fit in there. turned over motor nurous tiime to make sure it was right. but on start up i have a ruff idle and lack of power till mmid range. i know there is no adjustment to the distritor any ideas, looked for vac lines but nothing jumping out.

Thanks Again for all your help.
Mike
Oct 21, 2008 at 4:01 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
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Any valve train noise? ticking, clanking?

You must replace the valve shims in the exact order they were removed. If not, it is possible yo have a valve not completely closing, or opening.
Also recheck the timing marks on the timing belt side, and I would run a compression test to make sure the headgasket is secure.
Oct 22, 2008 at 1:52 AM
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MMERTEN
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i did not replaced them in order,Damn now what can i do to make it right? or what is the correct prosedure to do it? is it in a manual?

Thanks again
Mike
Oct 22, 2008 at 8:08 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
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You will have to measure valve clearence on each valve (cold engine).

Write down each clearence measurement and record cylinder # and wheather intake or exhaust.

The manual will list the valve clearence range.

Determine which valves are out of range.

You can then use a special tool set to move the shims to correct place, after measuring shim thickness, comparing it to shim thickness of wrong shim, subtracting the measurements and determining if that shim thickness on that cylinder would bring valve clearence within spec.

While you can buy new shims from Toyota, they are about $10 each, sold individually. New shims would be easier but more costly. If you measure valve clearence on #1 intake and it is .002 and spec is .008, you would measure shim thickness of bad shim and get new shim .006 thinner.

You want to get this done ASAP, because if you have a valve too tight, you can damage the camshafts.
Oct 22, 2008 at 10:54 PM
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