Blown headgasket FTL! Options

[OOBE]

Well, it's been 4 and a half years since I rebuilt the engine and ever since, it has taken the abuse I've given it like a champ. High EGTs and 87 octane fuel was the order of the day. It took it like a man. Compression was perfect across the board, and everything else was good to go. Well, you know how they say that you shouldn't have sexy time in your car because it jinxes it? Well, I think that actually is true, because before breaking a piston the first time, my car was the place of some love encounters with my girlfriend, LOL. It can't be coincidence that it broke again after I disrespected it with my current girlfriend. Blown tires and some other things happened before, too.

Anyway, the last straw that broke the camel's back was a 15 PSI test run after tuning it with the eManage. We were gonna take it to the dyno to tune it at that boost level, so we needed to test if the engine would hold or if it would blow like a grenade. Too bad I forgot I had moose piss 91 octane watered fuel from a gas station I never go to, but I had to this time because I was running low. I thought I had Shell 93 and well, nothing made a sound. I nailed it from a dead stop, it just roasted tires with the 17s, put our heads against the headrest, and then coolant was all over the windshield when I let go the gas. Good times. The auto tranny is holding well. No signs of slippage or anything. I ordered a Cometic headgasket and should be here this week. This engine can sure take some punishment. I need to up the boost to see if a rod gives up before a piston. I need an excuse to install the Belfab rods and some other pistons I found.

[DEATH]

Well you're taking it like a champ - that's right - it's just an excuse to upgrade
Sorry to hear about it tho.

[CelicaST_CALI]

haha as i said 7AFTE POWA

[hurley97]

Is that an OEM 7A headgasket? Because that would answer my question as to whether or not the 7A always had a metal one or if it's a 96+ thing, both engines I had are 97's so not much of a comparison. At first I thought it was a 4A headgasket because I saw the rubber gasket for that big return opening in the front but then noticed that all the holes pretty much line up with all the jaskets.

[Batman722]

I think that's aftermarket.
Did you rebuild the motor with an aftermarket gasket kit ? that would help contribute to the problem...

[x_itchy_b_x]

woah! took long enough man. congrats

[OOBE]

Is that an OEM 7A headgasket? Because that would answer my question as to whether or not the 7A always had a metal one or if it's a 96+ thing, both engines I had are 97's so not much of a comparison. At first I thought it was a 4A headgasket because I saw the rubber gasket for that big return opening in the front but then noticed that all the holes pretty much line up with all the jaskets.

I'm not 100% sure if it's Toyota OEM, but I did buy it at a Toyota parts store around here called Toyo House. It's a crappy thing. A sorry excuse of a gasket. It has metal, but it's very thin. Maybe it's a replacement? It says Made In Japan, so I'm not sure. What I'm sure is that the pistons, bearings and rings are made in Israel. I think they're King or something. I ordered a 4A-GE Cometic gasket. The fast guys around here rave about them. It's the only brand I've heard people recommend.

I think that's aftermarket.
Did you rebuild the motor with an aftermarket gasket kit ? that would help contribute to the problem...

As far as I know, yes. Now that you say it, I don't think I used any Toyota OEM part except for a seal. They weren't in stock, and I was in a hurry because I had to fly back to Virginia in a few days, so I got what they gave me.

This post has been edited by OOBE: Jul 7, 2008 - 9:48 PM

[OOBE]

woah! took long enough man. congrats

Yeah, man. Thanks. Haha. Tomorrow to the machine shop to get the head inspected for cracks, get it resurfaced and maybe do a little something to it to improve flow. Not sure. I'd like to stay as close to stock as possible to see what this motor can do.

[hurley97]

Is that an OEM 7A headgasket? Because that would answer my question as to whether or not the 7A always had a metal one or if it's a 96+ thing, both engines I had are 97's so not much of a comparison. At first I thought it was a 4A headgasket because I saw the rubber gasket for that big return opening in the front but then noticed that all the holes pretty much line up with all the jaskets.

I'm not 100% sure if it's Toyota OEM, but I did buy it at a Toyota parts store around here called Toyo House. It's a crappy thing. A sorry excuse of a gasket. It has metal, but it's very thin. Maybe it's a replacement? It says Made In Japan, so I'm not sure. What I'm sure is that the pistons, bearings and rings are made in Israel. I think they're King or something. I ordered a 4A-GE Cometic gasket. The fast guys around here rave about them. It's the only brand I've heard people recommend.

What is there to rave about with a headgasket? It's either leaking or it's not, right?

Anyway, the holes in the 4A headgasket don't line up 100%. I had them order me a 4AGZE headgasket at work so I could compare it to mine then send it back. I would say it matches up about 90%. You can see how the 7A gasket still covers up some of the coolant jackets, but the 4A covers up way more of it. The oil passages are pretty much ok, there's a couple that are off if I remember correctly.

[playr158]

very nice work brother!

20psi next time

[99GT]

Yeah no sexy time in the car. Truths

[OOBE]

So you're saying that the gasket will not work, Steph? It shipped on the 7th. I swear I'll boost 20 PSI with it if it covers the coolant passages too much. Blow that son of a gun for good.

Off-topic, not sure if it's a placebo effect, but I borrowed my sister's car to go see my girlfriend and I...you know...fell into carnal temptation. : Now the car's tranny is slipping.

[playr158]

oobe i know you still aren't in high school, stop bangin in the car!!!!!

[OOBE]

You have to understand that I didn't get to do any of that in high school. I was poor. I didn't have a car. I didn't have a girlfriend. Like Eddie Murphy said in Delirious, "These are my f@ck years...I f@ck now." Anyway, I just came back from the machine shop. As soon as the dude saw the head, he said, "You shouldn't use a 4A-GE gasket on it. The holes are different and it COULD cause overheating. It's not a 100% sure but there's a possibility." How he knew it was a 7A-FE head, I don't know. He wasn't an old man, so it's not that, LOL. He asked me what I needed done and I told him he was the one that knew, and he said he was just going to resurface it so it's straight again. He then looked at where the exhaust manifold mounts to, then looked at me all serious and said, " I need the turbo manifold too because it is warped. Bring it when you come back". So I'm gonna wait a few hours to go pick it up.

EDIT: GTFO of here. I just looked at the turbo manifold, put a ruler underneath it and it is indeed warped. This guy is good.

This post has been edited by OOBE: Jul 9, 2008 - 11:47 AM

[celicast3sgte]

HAHAHA did you check for his little spy in the backroom that followed you there??

[hurley97]

So you're saying that the gasket will not work, Steph? It shipped on the 7th. I swear I'll boost 20 PSI with it if it covers the coolant passages too much. Blow that son of a gun for good.

Off-topic, not sure if it's a placebo effect, but I borrowed my sister's car to go see my girlfriend and I...you know...fell into carnal temptation. : Now the car's tranny is slipping.

Oh it'll fit and probably work just fine...for a while...under normal 7A conditions. The right 7A head gasket covers some of the coolant jackets too but the 4A covers way more of it. The slight possibility that it could restrict the flow of coolant is the reason I didn't use it.

[OOBE]

Hmmm. I'm not going to risk it. The guy explained me how the headgasket works and the reason why they cover the jackets some. I'll just use an OEM one. Besides, it broke not because of the boost, but because of the detonation, because I boosted 15 PSI before with 93 octane fuel and it was fine.

I noticed this headgasket was very rusty also. I found out it wasn't a Toyota OEM one. I'm gonna buy a spare head and order a custom headgasket from Cometic. If this OEM one fails, I'll have the head ready to go with the good headgasket.

[808celica]

HAHaha bad bachi strikes again!!! i've always told my friends never to. damn man 15psi and wanting 20.....shoot i wish i can do that with the 5s.......or drop a 3s inside.

should've taken a vid or something

[OOBE]

Well, I had two buddies of mine in the car, but we weren't planning on breaking it because I didn't even know I had that crappy gas in the tank. If not, it would've held fine. It pulled so good, LOL. What surprised me is that the tranny didn't slip. I wonder how long it's gonna last. First to second gear is really abrupt. It's got some good wheelspin, but third and fourth will only chirp if anything and the change is smooth.

[Harold_Fastwaker]

So any idea what you were putting down at the wheels?