.005 Shim Needed

[DeepH2O 66]

Can anyone tell me where to find a .005 shim for bearing plate on Kohler M12? Thanks! 

[hotajax 226]

If it doesn't need to be round, maybe sacrifice a feeler guage.  

[953 nut 57,915]

Your gasket set should have various thickness gaskets, if there isn't a .005 you could stack a .002 and a .003 .

[ranger 1,774]

Pepsi soft drink cans are, I think, around that thickness?

[Wild Bill 633 866]

7 hours ago, DeepH2O said:

Can anyone tell me where to find a .005 shim for bearing plate on Kohler M12?

Please explain what you mean by bearing plate. If for engine, Kohler does have P/Ns for camshaft and crankshaft endplay shims. Otherwise McMaster-Carr has shim washers and shim stock.

[Achto 28,779]

3 hours ago, Wild Bill 633 said:

Please explain what you mean by bearing plate. If for engine, Kohler does have P/Ns for camshaft and crankshaft endplay shims. Otherwise McMaster-Carr has shim washers and shim stock.

 

The bearing plate shims are the same shape as the gasket for the bearing plate. Basically you space the aluminum bearing plate out to get your crank shaft end play.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,243]

Will guess that the only crankshaft shim available from Kohler is .005" as per the service manual.

https://www.partstree.com/models/m12-471527-kohler-magnum-engine-made-for-wheel-horse-12hp-9kw/crankcase-03050033394-5/

Any small engine shop should be able to supply.

[DeepH2O 66]

I need them to go with gasket between bearing plate and crankcase. I’ve ordered 3 shims and everyone I’ve received is .010. When I removed my bearing plate (first time it’s ever been removed) I found gasket, 2 x .010 shims, and 1 x .005 shim. Everywhere I search, it doesn’t state thickness of shim for sale. 

[DeepH2O 66]

They’re really hard to measure with being torn apart. The .005 shim was mated with the gasket. I tried measuring them together and then measuring the gasket. The shim came out to roughly .009. 
 

All 4 measured together = .0565

 

if you add all 4 individually (calling the 3rd shim .005) you come up with .0545, so I’m gonna go with it’s a .005.  

[DeepH2O 66]

And yes, the only .005 shim stock I can find is metal

[DeepH2O 66]

5 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Your gasket set should have various thickness gaskets, if there isn't a .005 you could stack a .002 and a .003 .

All I find is the shim sold individually. Where can I order this set?

[Achto 28,779]

@DeepH2O

What is your actual end play on the crank? Kohler gives a tolerance of .003" to .020" for crank shaft end play.  If you are any where in that ball park, you are good to go.

Edited May 25, 2023 by Achto

[DeepH2O 66]

Haven’t measured yet. Doing some more maintenance before putting back together. I just want to be prepared if I do need it. I may need, I may not. 
 

I understand completely the process of re-installing bearing plate and checking end play. I guess I should’ve stated that in first post. I’m following the Kohler manual to a T. 
 

 

[Achto 28,779]

With the what I consider a huge tolerance that the manual gives you. I think you should be able to fall with in specs with the .010" shims alone. I just built a K241, used all 3 of the shims that I received with my gasket kit. Ended up at .011" end play. Called it good. 

[WHX?? 50,734]

I tried measuring the old gaskets/shims and duplicate them but never seemed to work. I start with two shims and go from there. 

32 minutes ago, Achto said:

 consider a huge tolerance that the manual gives you. 

That is by today's standards. 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,243]

From page 12A.4 of the service manual is the only reference I could find for shim thickness

 

[953 nut 57,915]

If you don't have any bearing plate gaskets and can't find any you could buy some 1/32" (0.03125") gasket material and make your own. Felpro 3046.

[DeepH2O 66]

10 hours ago, Achto said:

With the what I consider a huge tolerance that the manual gives you. I think you should be able to fall with in specs with the .010" shims alone. I just built a K241, used all 3 of the shims that I received with my gasket kit. Ended up at .011" end play. Called it good. 

This will be the route I take! Thanks for all yalls help!!

[DeepH2O 66]

4 hours ago, 953 nut said:

If you don't have any bearing plate gaskets and can't find any you could buy some 1/32" (0.03125") gasket material and make your own. Felpro 3046.

I have a new gasket and 3 x .010” shims

[WHX?? 50,734]

I think it's better to go more to the .020 side of the tolerance. Dan's .11 is perfect. 

[DeepH2O 66]

Ok, fellas, need yalls help, again. I've installed the bearing plate with gasket and 2 shims. I didn't torque bolts, just snugged up with short ratchet. When I checked the gap, there was ZERO gap. Well, I figured I would install my 3rd shim. I installed plate again. Still no gap. Well, I loosened plate and then bumped the other side of shaft with a mallet and I see a good sized gap. When I make bolts up ONLY by hand, the gaps closes fully and I can't even get .0015 gauge in. 

 

Can anyone give some guidance?

 

Pics of hand tight and another loose w/ gap