Blew head gasket... I think I need headers

OK... So I started it last night and there was no knock. But after a few minutes the knock shows up and sounds bad. I pulled each spark plug wire off one at a time but noticed no audible difference in the knocking noise.
The only thing I can figure is that I must have over torqued a cam bearing or something... I am going to pull it apart this weekend and look for the source of the knock.
On a side note... has anyone ever done business with http://raptorengines.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=39&products_id=144
or http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-3VZE...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec242a8d5&vxp=mtr

I am seriously looking into one of these "higher output" 3VZE engines.
 
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2ndGen4runner4x4 said:
OK... So I started it last night and there was no knock. But after a few minutes the knock shows up and sounds bad. I pulled each spark plug wire off one at a time but noticed no audible difference in the knocking noise.
The only thing I can figure is that I must have over torqued a cam bearing or something... I am going to pull it apart this weekend and look for the source of the knock.
On a side note... has anyone ever done business with TOYOTA 3VZE 3.0L V6 ENGINE HI-PRO 190HP/210FTLBS - $1,995.00 : Raptor Engines, 7 Year 700000 Mile Warranty
or Toyota 3VZE 3 0L "Super Stock" 4 Runner Pick Up re Man Longblock | eBay

I am seriously looking into one of these "higher output" 3VZE engines.
Click to expand...


couldn't go wrong with either... both have nice long warranties.

As much as I would love a 5vz that's supercharged, I think it should just stay 3vz.
 
Another update:

I pulled the cams out and all 5 bearing journals on both cams are scarred up. I thought I torqued them to 144 inch lbs but it looks like I over torqued them. (Don't know what else would have caused this)
Edit: I went back and checked everything I did and all was correct... this engine was severely overheated several times after the head gasket went to the point that it had to be towed.

Now I am wondering how to deal with the cam bearings since there is only a bearing surface and no actual "bearing" that can be swapped out.
I am probably gonna try and emery cloth it all back smooth and re-install the cams again but I have a feeling that is a longshot.
I will search around and see if I can find anything on this... Anyone ever done this before?
 
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I got it all back together last night and got it running. The knock is still there but not as bad. I can move the 4runner around but don't want to drive it too much like this... I am done with this engine at this point.
 
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Update:
My 4runner is back on the road with a rebuilt engine as of yesterday.
I got busy with other projects and didn't have time or want to work on it anymore. I ended up taking it to a buddy's shop where he suggested going for reliability instead of performance since I plan to keep this vehicle a long time. He suggested a place called Japan Engines since that is who he deals with for replacement engines and he wanted to be able to warranty the install in case of a problem.

There were numerous issues after they got it running, here are a few...
- Front oil seal leaked and had to be replaced (just once)
- Rear main seal leaked, was replaced and leaked again... after much research it was done a 3rd time with a Toyota seal and finally stopped leaking.
- The downshift cable broke down inside the tranny while test driving and a new one had to come from the dealer.
- because of the rear main seal and broken cable, the tranny and t-case had to be pulled twice during this process so the filter was also changed.
- Even though I had elected to replace all the injector seals the 1st time around, once it was finally all done and running a fuel injector leak was discovered and everything had to come back apart yet again.

I purchased a new water pump, belts, hoses, etc... as well as the complete timing caponent kit when I did the head gaskets in the 1st place with my old engine.

Total cost of new engine including parts and labor... $4583.55 ...OUCH!!!
That doesn't include the lift kit, tires and wheels that I also recently purchased... I now have more into this 4Runner than I can ever sell it for!.. So, like I said above... I plan to keep it a long time.
I will be doing the lift and 33"s this weekend. :banana:
 
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After replacing the tranny a few weeks ago I found out that my cat was clogged. I never did get around to getting headers and I am now wondering if a clogged cat may have been a major contributor to my head gasket failure?

I had a very free flowing cat and muffler installed the other day and now it is running better than ever!
 
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At least now you have noworries on taking a long trip and not having some thing fail it is always good to have faith in your rig instead of leaving home and saying to your self god i hope this pile holds together for one more run
 
I wonder what the exhaust gas temperature difference is between:

1) Headers with a factory cat and muffler
2) Manifolds with no cat and straight through muffler

I think without a cat, there may be enough of a temp drop that it won't bake the left side head gasket.
 
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