Nothing vehicular, just had us a little verbal exchange and misunderstanding that needed worked out is all. Things are all hunky-dory once again..so cashflow will be turned back on for the 4Runner, so she can be happy and driving it.
Sorry for the scare! lol
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

I re-torqued the head bolts this weekend. I went ahead and went to 60 ft-lbs. I also adjusted the valve clearance to Darin-spec (.007 Intake and .010 Exhaust COLD). And then life is beautiful. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Valvetrain noise is gone. I also had to floor it when pulling onto a major highway for the morning commute today. That EB cam sings! The engine was super smooth when I had it breathing heavy. It definitely has some more ponies, but my 135,000 mile clutch is not liking it. I can't totally mat it in 2nd or 3rd because the clutch starts to slip-- I've got to let off to let it catch up LOL!

It's no Supra, but it will do. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

BTW, first tank of gas showed no difference in mileage from before all this work. We'll see if it improves slightly.

Resurrecting an old thread---


Well, after 2-1/2 years and 25,000 miles, the headgasket blew again. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

I had it towed to a trusted Toyota mechanic last night, and am awaiting him to tear it down and let me know the damage. Right now, I don't have the time or patience to do this myself, and I don't have as much confidence in my abilites to do it again since it failed. I talked to the mechanic about the process I went through before, and the only thing he said that I might have gone wrong with is that I didn't use a Toyota headgasket.

We'll see what it looks like when it is torn down.

Not sure what I'm going to do with the truck after this. We've been thinking about selling it before this anyways and putting the money toward a family vehicle, but we weren't anticipating this happening.

Same happened to me last year... 18 months and 20,000 miles later, the HG failed.

I called up EB, and replaced mine again. Somehow one of the fire rings failed on the HG, causing pressurizing of the cooling system.

If this one fails, I will either replace with an OEM gasket, or go with a Diesel swap.

When I got the new HG, I noticed the design was different. EB has since gone to the newer slipper=plate style gasket (we did ours at roughly the same time, and both got the old style).

I don't know whether or not to say I'm glad I am not the only one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

What do you mean by slipper plate style?

Mine's getting OEM parts as we speak. I went ahead with having the shop do it and should be back in comission early next week.

Just curious, which cylinder(s) did yours fail on the 2 times it happened? Mine was #1 cylinder both times.

Mine was #3, but it only failed the second time. The first time was the #1 rod bearing.

Several other more qualified people could chime in here about the slipper plate gasket design. I am just a truck driver, and I don't fully understand the concept enough to properly explain it without confusing people.