3.4 Supercharged and headgaskets question

[99SC4Runner]

<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --><!-- google_ad_section_start -->I have a 99 Limited 4x4 4Runner with the 3.4 V6 that is Supercharged. I have a headgasket that is leaking, but the rig has never ever ran hot or got overheated at any time.

My 4Runner has ran great until a couple days ago when I fired it up at lunch time to drive into town and I noticed it producing some white smoke at initial startup for a minute or two. Now when I fire it up it will run a little rough until it warms up.

Is there a certain type or brand of headgaskets that I should look for since my motor is supercharged?

I want to make sure that I have new headgaskets that will stand up to boost pressure and not prematurely get blown out.

Thanks,

Doug<!-- google_ad_section_end -->
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[Brilliant]

Is there a certain type or brand of headgaskets that I should look for since my motor is supercharged?

ya, the OEM one.

 

[99SC4Runner]

Upon further inspection, the Toyota OEM and the Fel Pro MLS top end gasket sets are both "Multi Layer Steel" head gaskets.

I talked with a Toyota Master Tech and he said Fel Pro has to make them to OEM specs, and he wouldn't hesitate to use the new Fel Pro MLS gaskets.

 

[the great him]

felpros are fine, ive run them in all the motors ive built, all be it SBCs and a couple of 22res, but yeah none of them have ever failed on me

 

[scottyb]

MLS gaskets are the best, however the flatness of the heads is of greater importance with MLS gaskets than it is with graphite/composite gaskets. I'd have a machine shop check the heads flatness and then grab those Felpro MLS gaskets if everything checks out.

 

[BrianSD_42]

How many miles do you have on it?

It isn't uncommon for the head to be cracked; happen to me and several others on T4R.

 

[99SC4Runner]

I bought a brand new bare head to replace the left head that has the 1 small crack in it between one intake and exhaust valve. The machine shop pressure tested it and it doesn't leak, but I wasn't taking a chance of it never leaking, so I bought a head. I had more original passenger side head that had the blown head gasket planed just to ensure that it was flat.

I lapped the valves in the new bare head I bought and then installed all new valve seals in the heads.

Finally get to start putting it all together today.

My motor has 231k on it, and it still has cross hatch marks on all the cylinder walls. There is hardly any ridge at the top of the cylinder walls where the piston rings end at the top of their stroke.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I bought a brand new bare head to replace the left head that has the 1 small crack in it between one intake and exhaust valve.

Did you buy the Toyota bare head?

I think it comes as a solid piece of aluminum with no components for about $800.

Are you doing the work yourself to swap the parts over?

Good luck.

 

[99SC4Runner]

I bought a brand new bare head off eBay. I installed the new oil seals on the guides, then I lapped each valve in to the corresponding seat one at a time.

I've got both heads torqued down to specs now, and I'm at the point of installing the camshafts now. I should have it finished up tomorrow if everything goes right.

 

[EmptyZ]

Nice, sounds like you have it handled. Ya your blower doesn't make enough boost to even stress a mls headgasket so I wouldnt worry bout it, I would say after this its time to throw on a smaller pulley!

 

[99SC4Runner]

I do have a URD 2.2" pulley already. I talked with Gadget and he said since I have the FTC with bigger injectors already installed, that I shouldn't even have to touch my fuel maps with the 2.2" pulley.

On installing the camshafts, do I align the 2 dots of each cam on the passenger head to install them? And do I align the single dot on each cam for install on the driver's side head?

My Toyota FSM isn't every forthcoming with great pics...

Thanks.