[JP Noonan]

Also I think you MUST use THREE shims when setting the "crankshaft end play" (BTW don't feel too bad. My first 914 valve adjustment, I set them in the order I always did with my 351W FORD. You know, when the exh is on it's way back up set the intake, etc...I'm just glad I knew enough to set them like solid lifters instead of hydralic). The reason is the three shims act as a (Thorington???) type of bearing. The two outside shims don't move, only the inside one does, or something to that effect. I'm pretty sure that's how it is.

If there isn't enough to get three shims in there and have the correct end-play then most likely the crank has been re-ground and the fillet radius was set too gradual. In your case the radius probably allready ground down the edges of the bearings anyway. Just thought I'd scare you anyway.

BTW Tom Wilson's book is WAY better than Haynes for engine building.