GSPRunner
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I'm always a fan of furthering my education.
A.Wilson013's Build Thread
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I'm always a fan of furthering my education.
A.Wilson013
New member
First Run w/ New Heads
Today my wife wanted to take the dogs up to Lake Cle Elum, one of our favorite spots for a day trip. To get there you've got to head up and over Snoqualmie Pass, which has always been a bit of a task for the nearly 6,000lb 4Runner. I figured it would be a good trip to make sure everything was good to go with the new heads.
Before leaving I drew a line on the coolant overflow tank with the engine cold, then let the engine warm up and drew another line for hot. Throughout the day I checked the level the be sure it wasn't moving.
I filled up the gas tank (16mpg on my last tank, nearly all in the city with the AC on) and hit the road.
With the cruise control locked at 70mph I started my journey. As I began the climb to the summit I waited for the cruise to drop a gear, then turned off the overdrive. Up and over I went, with trans temps never getting over 175 degrees, and engine temps peaking at 196 degrees. AC was on the whole trip.
Once we got to the lake I checked my coolant level and was beyond stoked to find I was still at my "hot" mark on the overflow tank. Got out the chairs, filled up my wife's inner tube, and enjoyed a couple beers while trying to convince my pointer that she can swim. We actually put my little Scottie Dog's old life jacket on her and it gave her the confidence to get her feet off of the bottom!
DSC_0225 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr
DSC_0192 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr
DSC_0178 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr
Holly posted up in her favorite spot under the rear of the vehicle
DSC_0208 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr
But came out to dig, feverishly, in this spot for no apparent reason.
DSC_0132 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr
DSC_0133 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr
Around noon the wind picked up and just would not quit. One of my favorite spots, Gallagher Head Lake, wasn't too far away (and my wife had never been) so we packed up, aired down a bit, and made our way up the, "Fortune Creek Trail" to the lake. On the way up I was keeping a CLOSE eye on coolant temps and never saw it go over 192 as we climbed the steep, rocky terrain to our destination. The trail was MUCH more chewed up than years past, and I didn't have my skid plates installed. What used to be a quite simple trail had me out picking my lines quite carefully a couple times.
Got to the lake, checked my coolant level (still at my line), and took some pictures.
Felt good to have the 4Runner covered in dust again for the first time in over a month...
DSC_0247 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr
There we quite a few families up camping at the lake, so we didn't stay long and headed up the "Hawkins Mountain Mines Trail" to show Emily where we typically camp, and the hill climb that took [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION]'s front diff's life a couple weeks back.
I took a picture at our typical camping spot, but that was the last time the camera came out, unfortunately. I was disappointed to find Mt. Rainier totally covered in clouds when we got to the summit of the trail.
DSC_0253 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr
After letting the dogs rehydrate we headed back down the trail. RIGHT before hitting the forest service road we got behind a group of two old Willys jeeps, a beautifully restored FJ 40, and some sort of side by side ATV going very, very, slow. They didn't want me to pass them, apparently, so I pulled over and relieved myself, had a drink, and waited a few minutes. Once moving again, we caught up to them within a matter of minutes and decided to hop back on the actual 4wd trail that follows Fortune Creek all the way back to the main forest service road instead of following the caravan down NF-160 which we had taken on the way up. This section of trail seemed MUCH more tame than years past.
Once back on pavement I aired the tires up with my little TJM compressor (each tire took almost EXACTLY 3 minutes to get from 20psi to 38psi) and headed home.
Feeling good about the new heads! With ~750 miles covered since the repairs last weekend I think I'll change the oil (I used some cheap stuff I had in the garage for my old pickup) here soon in preparation for the upcoming trip out to Montana and Wyoming.
Today my wife wanted to take the dogs up to Lake Cle Elum, one of our favorite spots for a day trip. To get there you've got to head up and over Snoqualmie Pass, which has always been a bit of a task for the nearly 6,000lb 4Runner. I figured it would be a good trip to make sure everything was good to go with the new heads.
Before leaving I drew a line on the coolant overflow tank with the engine cold, then let the engine warm up and drew another line for hot. Throughout the day I checked the level the be sure it wasn't moving.
I filled up the gas tank (16mpg on my last tank, nearly all in the city with the AC on) and hit the road.
With the cruise control locked at 70mph I started my journey. As I began the climb to the summit I waited for the cruise to drop a gear, then turned off the overdrive. Up and over I went, with trans temps never getting over 175 degrees, and engine temps peaking at 196 degrees. AC was on the whole trip.
Once we got to the lake I checked my coolant level and was beyond stoked to find I was still at my "hot" mark on the overflow tank. Got out the chairs, filled up my wife's inner tube, and enjoyed a couple beers while trying to convince my pointer that she can swim. We actually put my little Scottie Dog's old life jacket on her and it gave her the confidence to get her feet off of the bottom!
DSC_0225 by Alex Wilson, on FlickrDSC_0192 by Alex Wilson, on FlickrDSC_0178 by Alex Wilson, on FlickrHolly posted up in her favorite spot under the rear of the vehicle
DSC_0208 by Alex Wilson, on FlickrBut came out to dig, feverishly, in this spot for no apparent reason.
DSC_0132 by Alex Wilson, on FlickrDSC_0133 by Alex Wilson, on FlickrAround noon the wind picked up and just would not quit. One of my favorite spots, Gallagher Head Lake, wasn't too far away (and my wife had never been) so we packed up, aired down a bit, and made our way up the, "Fortune Creek Trail" to the lake. On the way up I was keeping a CLOSE eye on coolant temps and never saw it go over 192 as we climbed the steep, rocky terrain to our destination. The trail was MUCH more chewed up than years past, and I didn't have my skid plates installed. What used to be a quite simple trail had me out picking my lines quite carefully a couple times.
Got to the lake, checked my coolant level (still at my line), and took some pictures.
Felt good to have the 4Runner covered in dust again for the first time in over a month...
DSC_0247 by Alex Wilson, on FlickrThere we quite a few families up camping at the lake, so we didn't stay long and headed up the "Hawkins Mountain Mines Trail" to show Emily where we typically camp, and the hill climb that took [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION]'s front diff's life a couple weeks back.
I took a picture at our typical camping spot, but that was the last time the camera came out, unfortunately. I was disappointed to find Mt. Rainier totally covered in clouds when we got to the summit of the trail.
DSC_0253 by Alex Wilson, on FlickrAfter letting the dogs rehydrate we headed back down the trail. RIGHT before hitting the forest service road we got behind a group of two old Willys jeeps, a beautifully restored FJ 40, and some sort of side by side ATV going very, very, slow. They didn't want me to pass them, apparently, so I pulled over and relieved myself, had a drink, and waited a few minutes. Once moving again, we caught up to them within a matter of minutes and decided to hop back on the actual 4wd trail that follows Fortune Creek all the way back to the main forest service road instead of following the caravan down NF-160 which we had taken on the way up. This section of trail seemed MUCH more tame than years past.
Once back on pavement I aired the tires up with my little TJM compressor (each tire took almost EXACTLY 3 minutes to get from 20psi to 38psi) and headed home.
Feeling good about the new heads! With ~750 miles covered since the repairs last weekend I think I'll change the oil (I used some cheap stuff I had in the garage for my old pickup) here soon in preparation for the upcoming trip out to Montana and Wyoming.
LittleCaesar
New member
It looks like a fun time was had by all.
A stable coolant level is good news. Make sure all the bubbles were burped out of the system. This funnel makes it rather easy:
https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24680-Spill-Free-Funnel/dp/B00A6AS6LY
A stable coolant level is good news. Make sure all the bubbles were burped out of the system. This funnel makes it rather easy:
https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24680-Spill-Free-Funnel/dp/B00A6AS6LY
A.Wilson013
New member
Yep! That funnel is maybe one of my favorite tools, haha
A.Wilson013
New member
Right? I need to continue development of my prose a bit, and stop for more pictures of flowers. Once I figure that out I am going to start posting stories on Expo Portal and list my 4Runner for sale for $70,000.
Unner
New member
I'd only pay $70k if it had a shower.
A.Wilson013
New member
Honestly, I kinda stopped paying attention. Heads were $1000, gaskets were around $400, timing belt/water pump kit was like $150. I would say all in all it was probably close to $2,000 after the random stuff like oil, coolant, tools I didn't have, etc.
buccaneerbandit
New member
heads
Glad to hear the repair is holding up well. Living here in sunny Fla I am constantly jealous of your wheeling options in the PNW.
Glad to hear the repair is holding up well. Living here in sunny Fla I am constantly jealous of your wheeling options in the PNW.
theesotericone
New member
Nice trip man and nice job on getting the work done and done correctly.
I had a male shorthair many years back. I got him as a pup and by the time he was 6 months he was out in the fields hunting. Still one of the best trained dogs I've ever had the pleasure of working over. I'm not just saying that because he was mine. Every one that every hunted over him said the same.
He only had two quirks that I couldn't break him of. The first is every fifth bird was his. I'm not kidding. As soon as bird five hit the dirt Spirit would run over to it, grab it, run to a safe spot and eat the thing. He was always well fed so I never figured out what his deal was with bird five.
The other thing is he would not swim. Hell he wouldn't even go in water more than 6" deep. If we came to a spot where a stream crossing was over that 6" mark he would run up or downstream to find a crossing spot more favorable to him. Once he ran a full mile downstream before he crossed. I tried everything I could think of to convince him that he could swim. None of it ever changed his mind so I just learned to let him do what was right for him.
MyHigh
New member
Oh there was a reason Holy was digging, she just didn't want you to know....
Im glad the runner is up and running again, even though you get to cruise the nice new Lexus ( when your wife let's you) it's still like an old pair of shoes when you get back in the driver seat, plus that Lexus can never become the travel buddy the runner has become.
Im glad the runner is up and running again, even though you get to cruise the nice new Lexus ( when your wife let's you) it's still like an old pair of shoes when you get back in the driver seat, plus that Lexus can never become the travel buddy the runner has become.
A.Wilson013
New member
Base lining the 4Runner
I hit 1,000 miles on the new heads today, so I decided to do some base lining of maintenance.
Cleaned IACV, MAF, and Throttle Body
New Plugs: (Denso IK22)
New Wires: (19037-62010)
PCV Valve: (12204-62010)
PCV Hose: (12261-62041)
PCV Grommet: (90480-18001)
Throttle Body Gasket (Dremeled to "O" Shape): (22271-62040)
Upper Radiator Hose: (16571-62070)
Lower Radiator Hose: (16572-62090)
Radiator Cap: (16401-20353)
Dry Compression Test on Warm Engine:
Cylinder 1: 185psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 2: 185psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 3: 185psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 4: 190psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 5: 185psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 6: 190psi @ 6 Cranks
Coolant Pressure Test:
0 psi lost @ 1 hour
I hit 1,000 miles on the new heads today, so I decided to do some base lining of maintenance.
Cleaned IACV, MAF, and Throttle Body
New Plugs: (Denso IK22)
New Wires: (19037-62010)
PCV Valve: (12204-62010)
PCV Hose: (12261-62041)
PCV Grommet: (90480-18001)
Throttle Body Gasket (Dremeled to "O" Shape): (22271-62040)
Upper Radiator Hose: (16571-62070)
Lower Radiator Hose: (16572-62090)
Radiator Cap: (16401-20353)
Dry Compression Test on Warm Engine:
Cylinder 1: 185psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 2: 185psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 3: 185psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 4: 190psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 5: 185psi @ 6 Cranks
Cylinder 6: 190psi @ 6 Cranks
Coolant Pressure Test:
0 psi lost @ 1 hour
Last edited:
BrianSD_42
New member
Glad to hear you got your heads situation all worked out and that you were able to do with with a buddy. I"m sure that saved an enormous amount of cash.
A.Wilson013
New member
Indeed it did. I don't know what a shop would have charged, but the mechanic that was going to do it was going to charge me something like $1100 which I thought was very fair (and still do, after doing it myself). It was a LOT of work, but I learned a ton, and spent very little. Now, unless something goes wrong down in the block, I feel like I can fix just about anything on this engine. It's a good feeling!
BrianSD_42
New member
$1100 in labor is pretty reasonable for that job. I believe I paid something similar for my heads a few years ago. But nothing beats $0 in labor.
BigBluePile
New member
Nice job man!
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