Blown headgasket FTL! Options

[OOBE]

Well, it's been 4 and a half years since I rebuilt the engine and ever since, it has taken the abuse I've given it like a champ. High EGTs and 87 octane fuel was the order of the day. It took it like a man. Compression was perfect across the board, and everything else was good to go. Well, you know how they say that you shouldn't have sexy time in your car because it jinxes it? Well, I think that actually is true, because before breaking a piston the first time, my car was the place of some love encounters with my girlfriend, LOL. It can't be coincidence that it broke again after I disrespected it with my current girlfriend. Blown tires and some other things happened before, too.

Anyway, the last straw that broke the camel's back was a 15 PSI test run after tuning it with the eManage. We were gonna take it to the dyno to tune it at that boost level, so we needed to test if the engine would hold or if it would blow like a grenade. Too bad I forgot I had moose piss 91 octane watered fuel from a gas station I never go to, but I had to this time because I was running low. I thought I had Shell 93 and well, nothing made a sound. I nailed it from a dead stop, it just roasted tires with the 17s, put our heads against the headrest, and then coolant was all over the windshield when I let go the gas. Good times. The auto tranny is holding well. No signs of slippage or anything. I ordered a Cometic headgasket and should be here this week. This engine can sure take some punishment. I need to up the boost to see if a rod gives up before a piston. I need an excuse to install the Belfab rods and some other pistons I found.

[hurley97]

Is that an OEM 7A headgasket? Because that would answer my question as to whether or not the 7A always had a metal one or if it's a 96+ thing, both engines I had are 97's so not much of a comparison. At first I thought it was a 4A headgasket because I saw the rubber gasket for that big return opening in the front but then noticed that all the holes pretty much line up with all the jaskets.

[OOBE]

Is that an OEM 7A headgasket? Because that would answer my question as to whether or not the 7A always had a metal one or if it's a 96+ thing, both engines I had are 97's so not much of a comparison. At first I thought it was a 4A headgasket because I saw the rubber gasket for that big return opening in the front but then noticed that all the holes pretty much line up with all the jaskets.

I'm not 100% sure if it's Toyota OEM, but I did buy it at a Toyota parts store around here called Toyo House. It's a crappy thing. A sorry excuse of a gasket. It has metal, but it's very thin. Maybe it's a replacement? It says Made In Japan, so I'm not sure. What I'm sure is that the pistons, bearings and rings are made in Israel. I think they're King or something. I ordered a 4A-GE Cometic gasket. The fast guys around here rave about them. It's the only brand I've heard people recommend.

I think that's aftermarket.
Did you rebuild the motor with an aftermarket gasket kit ? that would help contribute to the problem...

As far as I know, yes. Now that you say it, I don't think I used any Toyota OEM part except for a seal. They weren't in stock, and I was in a hurry because I had to fly back to Virginia in a few days, so I got what they gave me.

This post has been edited by OOBE: Jul 7, 2008 - 9:48 PM

[hurley97]

Is that an OEM 7A headgasket? Because that would answer my question as to whether or not the 7A always had a metal one or if it's a 96+ thing, both engines I had are 97's so not much of a comparison. At first I thought it was a 4A headgasket because I saw the rubber gasket for that big return opening in the front but then noticed that all the holes pretty much line up with all the jaskets.

I'm not 100% sure if it's Toyota OEM, but I did buy it at a Toyota parts store around here called Toyo House. It's a crappy thing. A sorry excuse of a gasket. It has metal, but it's very thin. Maybe it's a replacement? It says Made In Japan, so I'm not sure. What I'm sure is that the pistons, bearings and rings are made in Israel. I think they're King or something. I ordered a 4A-GE Cometic gasket. The fast guys around here rave about them. It's the only brand I've heard people recommend.

What is there to rave about with a headgasket? It's either leaking or it's not, right?

Anyway, the holes in the 4A headgasket don't line up 100%. I had them order me a 4AGZE headgasket at work so I could compare it to mine then send it back. I would say it matches up about 90%. You can see how the 7A gasket still covers up some of the coolant jackets, but the 4A covers up way more of it. The oil passages are pretty much ok, there's a couple that are off if I remember correctly.