Head gasket party?

[jettaglxdriver]

Could it be that I used a head gasket from a head gasket rebuild kit (cool cruisers I think) instead of a Toyota OEM head gasket?

You think it might be as simple as pulling the head, cleaning it all up, inspecting things, and putting on the proper $140 head gasket and putting it all back together?

 

[wesintl]

never know til you look at it.

 

[Air Randy]

Could it be that I used a head gasket from a head gasket rebuild kit (cool cruisers I think) instead of a Toyota OEM head gasket?

You think it might be as simple as pulling the head, cleaning it all up, inspecting things, and putting on the proper $140 head gasket and putting it all back together?

Possibly but thats a real long shot. It's much more likely the deck of the engine block was warped before. If thats the case it may just be a head gasket leak or it could be the cylinder head has now cracked due to the warp (less likely). If you jts throw another HG on it you might get lucky or it might start leaking again in 1,000 miles. If you pull it apart again you need to check the block deck for warping. I just rebuilt a 1980 2F and Gunn had to take several thou off of the deck to get it straight and flat.

 

[jettaglxdriver]

I am going to pull the head again. I should be much faster this time. I am going to get an OEM head gasket.

Stevenson on Havana wants $175 before tax for the OEM gasket. Anyone know where I can get a better price on that part? Also does anyone have a good 1/2 drive torque wrench I can test mine against to make sure it reads properly? What have you all used for a straight edge for these long blocks and heads? Where did you get yours and was it expensive?

 

[Air Randy]

I have used NAPA head gaskets, gaskets that Gunn automotive got for me (FelPro) and Toyota OEM gaskets. All have worked just fine so don't be afraid to use a NAPA part or from somewhere else as long as it is a name brand component.

I seriously doubt your torque wrench is far enough off to cause the problem, but you're welcome to use mine if you think that will help. I have no idea how accurate mine is either but it seems to work OK. Just make sure you are following the correct bolt tightening sequence and that you are doing it in 3 separate rotations like 35 lbs, 65 lbs then 97 lbs.

If you buy a decent quality straight edge from Lowe's or Home Depot in the carpentry tools section it should work fine. Make sure the block deck is really, really clean. Consider using a wire wheel on it to be sure. Once you are certain it is spotless, clean it one more time. I have cleaned blocks before and just before I set the head in place I noticed a small doscoloration. Turned out to be a chunk of old gasket you could scrape off with a razor knife.

Once it's clean, put your striaght edge on corner to corner, down the middle, off to each side, etc. Sometimes it helpful to shine a small flashlight behind it so you can see how much light is coming through. If in doubt use a feeler gauge to determine how warped it is.

 

[nuclearlemon]

I have used NAPA head gaskets, gaskets that Gunn automotive got for me (FelPro) and Toyota OEM gaskets. All have worked just fine so don't be afraid to use a NAPA part or from somewhere else as long as it is a name brand component.

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both my friend kim and i used fel pros from napa and had nothing but issues. i went through two of them before getting rid of the cruiser (eight month period), she blew one, threw an oem on after blowing a fel pro and never had another problem. i won't ever use another felpro head gasket on a toyota motor again.

 

[jettaglxdriver]

I have read a lot of stuff pointing at using OEM and I am leaning that way. Do we get a dealer discount somewhere?

 

[Air Randy]

Yes, Stevenson and Burt both give a significant discount if you tell them you are Rising Sun or TLCA member.

 

[corsair23]

Yes, Stevenson and Burt both give a significant discount if you tell them you are Rising Sun or TLCA member.

They do (typically) check the roster that we provide them for your name though so be prepared...Another benefit to being a member of this fine, fine, establishment - The other option if you are a MUD member is CDan...All are good people, and Stevenson supports the group by not only giving us discounts on parts but also supplying the meeting space, so I try to spread the wealth out as much as possible

 

[ElliottB]

Call CruiserDan at American Toyota in Albuquerque. He gives a nice discount to all of the Cruiser guys. Let me know if you need a hand yanking that thing off, I've had mine on and off a couple times now.

 

[jettaglxdriver]

Crap here I was thinking tomorrow is the meeting I was going to attend and it was last wed. ARGH.