Gathering Info for 7A-FE Rebuild, Need advice on parts etc Options

[msk59]

Hello All: I am getting ready to rebuild the head and change the piston rings on my 1996 7A-FE ST hatchback. I spoke to the local dealer and they gave me price on the parts. I also have Rock Auto's price as well and there is a difference in price but quality is unknown to me, although i have heard good stuff about Rock Auto:

So here are my questions:

Rebuild gasket set : Dealer or Aftermarket (if Aftermarket then which brand)
Piston Rings: Dealer or Aftermarket (if Aftermarket then which brand)

Valve Seats/covers etc: Dealer or Aftermarket (if Aftermarket then which brand)

Head Bolts: Dealer or Aftermarket (if Aftermarket then which brand)


All you gurus out there, please provide your input


Thank You all in advance.

[Bitter]

5S applications have an oil cooler because it combated sludge and varnish issues, 7A's seem to have those issues as well. A factory style oil cooler isn't going to be detrimental in a street application, it's less restrictive than the oil filter itself! The oil flows pretty much straight through it anyway, it jogs side to side some along the way but it's incredibly non restrictive. The stock cooler is a misnomer, it's a temperature regulator. It helps keep the oil temp relative to coolant temp, same as the automatic transmission heat exchanger in the radiator does. Heat flows from hot to cold always, so if the coolant heats faster than the oil (and it does) then the coolant is heating the oil till they're equal temp, then as the oil temp rises above coolant temp the reverse happens, the oil is regulated to always be at least coolant temp or higher. It helps stop spikes in oil temp from heavy load and brings those temps back down faster than no cooler at all which is good for the engine and the oil life. You can't over cool the oil with a stock style heat exchanger.


Disregard part numbers, they are for the 5S-FE as is that particular oil cooler. I'm not sure what OEM Toyota oil cooler would fit or work on a 7A-FE. Possibly a 5S one would from a Camry, but I have no idea how to tell.

This post has been edited by Bitter: Aug 11, 2014 - 11:25 PM