Valve shims - 348 parts interchange

Has anyone given a shot to the 29mm dia Volvo (or Fiat) 4-valve shims? It appears that they should be a fit for the 348 and QV 308/328s (along with F40, Testarossa, etc), which are also a 29mm diameter... and in the 3.xx to 4.xx thickness range, so not seeing why they wouldn't. As an aside, it is documented here and elsewhere that the 308 2-valve shims (33mm dia) cross-reference over to the 2-valve Volvo/Fiat/Lancia shims. It is a much more attractive price point for the pieces when obtaining a kit, or assembling a population of desired thicknesses to cherrypick with a mic from, @ $2-$3 per shim, versus $15-$22 per shim.

Funny, no mention in this section when searching, and only a couple non-confirming hits with respect to 4-valved motors in the general technical section.

 

Well, if you note my other thread on the 2 factory specs, I have 2 different scenarios for adjusting the valves on the exhaust side, which vastly impacts the shim replacement schedule. To stay at the "catalyzed" clearances, I'm replacing 7 I/E shims total, or to change over to euro "un-catalyzed", I'm replacing 18 total. I agree, 2 shims and I'm not really sweating it... 7, and it may be nice to save a few bucks... 18, and its a no-brainer.

 

Well, with an abundance of searching and some emailing, it seems to me that the primary (the only, from what came up) manufacturer for the 29mm valve shims, is Metelli s.p.A. out of Italy, producing the full range of shim thicknesses from motorcycles on up through our range, as well as full shim kit arrangements. They also do the larger diameter shims for 2v 308, Volvo, and a bunch of other marques/models. As far as what I can tell from the Volvo side, the indications that persisted through 308/328 QV discussions were untrue. It does not appear that Volvo ever actually did an OE 4-valve shim over bucket head, as the B234 16v head was introduced with new hydraulic adjustment at the time, and it is only through a point of aftermarket conversion that those were ever found with solid shimmed bucket arrangements, converted utilizing a larger dia than 29mm (31 or 33). Pulling the 29mm shim manufacturer part numbers through Metelli's catalogue, it appears that the 29mm shims in our thickness range are indeed Ferrari-only in application, across the 308QV, 328, Mondial, 348 etc.

At any rate, with Metelli as the manufacturer of 29mm dia shims, they only sell to distributors, such as CRP Automotive in NJ, to whom they referred me to. Haven't inquired to them for pricing, and not sure if they sell direct to consumer or to retailers only. I would think, however, that any carrier of the Metelli shims (or shims under distributor/retailer names.. CRP, Professional Parts Sweeden, etc) such as Belmetric or Precision Parts International, etc etc... would be able to special order 29mm shims and full kits.