[4eigner]

I'm attempting to order a R side passenger head gasket for a 3.4L. My problem is that there are two different part numbers depending on if the motor was from a vehicle before or after 1/99. The last 7 digits stamped on the block do not match the T4R that it was pulled from, so I'm not sure that I can find out what year this motor is from. What differences are there in the block/head that would warrant the use of a different head gasket?

Pre 1/99 R head gasket: 11115-62071
From 1/99 R head gasket: 11115-62081

[lockedlex]

Out of curiosity, could that be because Toyota improved the head gasket design?

[4eigner]

Originally Posted by lockedlex

Out of curiosity, could that be because Toyota improved the head gasket design?

If that were the case, I'd imagine that the newer gasket (and part number) would replace the older one (as you can see with other parts), but it's not showing as a replacement in this case.

[4eigner]

bump

[davidch]

It seems to me that if only the gasket changed part numbers, and neither the head nor the block changed numbers, then that gasket is an improved version and would thus retrofit older engines.

Occam's Razor, etc.

[Manic]

You'll want the newer head gasket. The early ones were composite, the newer ones are MLS.

[4eigner]

Checked at the dealer and only the newer headgaskets (from 1/99 onward) had an update in part number. The older ones didn't change from the original. They unfortunately didn't have any on hand and neither does any other dealer close to here to compare. How certain would you say you are that 11115-62071 is a composite gasket, and that 11115-62081 is mls?

Dealer showed me that 11115-62081 replaced/superseded 11115-62080. Perhaps only 11115-62080 was composite?

Felpro's head gasket shows the same part number for 98 & 00, both being mls, so a material change would make sense in that regard.

[turbo8]

Not sure if this helps, but I used the MLS gasket on my 97.


https://www.yotashop.com/toyota-5vzf...-kit-kit-1020/

It has a note stating:- Toyota used composite head gaskets thru 1999- late model 1999 and on used a MLS head gasket stock. The MLS head gaskets will work on all years and models.

[lockedlex]

Does anyone know then if the changeover has resulted in 99+ model years having fewer or no head gasket failures?

Compared to the 2nd gen, I've barely heard of any HG failures, but now that I think about it, I don't recall if most of the 3rd gen HG failures were 96-98.5 or included all years.

[RS Dude]

My HG was replaced TWICE through Toyota's HG recall campaign. Didn't cost me a penny, and that's another reason I love Toyota!

[gamefreakgc]

Originally Posted by lockedlex

Does anyone know then if the changeover has resulted in 99+ model years having fewer or no head gasket failures?

Compared to the 2nd gen, I've barely heard of any HG failures, but now that I think about it, I don't recall if most of the 3rd gen HG failures were 96-98.5 or included all years.

The headgaskets issues on the 3VZ-E and 22-RE engines was due to the fact that the heads were aluminum and the engine block was iron. They would expand and contract at separate rates until the gaskets themselves failed. It was usually on the back of the engine where there was the most heat.

I loved my old Toyota Pickup, but absolutely despised that engine. Was definitely one of Toyota's worst.

[thegipper]

Originally Posted by gamefreakgc

The headgaskets issues on the 3VZ-E and 22-RE engines was due to the fact that the heads were aluminum and the engine block was iron. They would expand and contract at separate rates until the gaskets themselves failed. It was usually on the back of the engine where there was the most heat.

I loved my old Toyota Pickup, but absolutely despised that engine. Was definitely one of Toyota's worst.

Doesn't the 5VZFE have an iron block with aluminum heads?

[thecole1098]

Originally Posted by thegipper

Doesn't the 5VZFE have an iron block with aluminum heads?

It does. I'm pretty sure its mostly due to overheating and/or gasket material which is why there's more documented cases of failure on the older 3rd gens vs later ones.

[kolelt]

I’ve heard oh 5vzfe with bad head gasket. I even had that experience. But not so much where it was recalled ? Was a 3rd gen head gasket ever on recall??

[Scramble]

Originally Posted by gamefreakgc

The headgaskets issues on the 3VZ-E and 22-RE engines was due to the fact that the heads were aluminum and the engine block was iron. They would expand and contract at separate rates until the gaskets themselves failed. It was usually on the back of the engine where there was the most heat.

I loved my old Toyota Pickup, but absolutely despised that engine. Was definitely one of Toyota's worst.

The 5VZ & 3RZ are both iron/alum.