I got a question about which head gasket to use on my recently acquired 87 supra 7mge. I won this car on ebay about a month ago and when I got the car it was already overheating after about 5 minutes of running. The guy that I bought it off of owned a shop and he told me he had run a test that I think tests for gases in the radiator that would inform you that the head gasket is bad. I have every intention of replacing the thermostat, water pump and head gasket, in that order, and I plan on using an Ishino brand oem style head gasket. I am using it because my buddy, who by the way has an 88 supra which is also a 7mge, told me that if you use a metal head gasket you must have the head machined. I dont want to go through all that so I am trying to just replace any bad parts with stock replacements, except the head bolts which I read are crap so I would replace those with arp head bolts. I just want to know if it would make sense to use an oem style gasket with better bolts or if I should get a metal one and have the head machined. Also if anyone else has had similar symptoms with their car any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Head Gasket Question For 87 7mge
- Thread starter dmxrr88
- Start date
id get the head machined even if you are going to replace the headgasket with a composite one... something like that u might as well do it the first time, otherwise your going to just have to do it all over again. with a metal headgasket you have to have the block lapped in addition to having the head surfaced... but yea, machine the head, grab a toyota gasket kit, itll have all the gaskets that your going to want to replace...
Depends on how much power you want to run.
Stock head bolts are fine if you are going to stick to mild modding.
Stock head bolts are fine if you are going to stick to mild modding.
the stock head bolts are NOT crap, the torque ratings for the bolts is B.S. get your head surfaced, clean your block real good, get new bolts or ARPs, run an oem gasket, torque those bolts to 75 to 80 ft lbs, and forget about it. By the way, you did say 7m-GE, right? Your power levels are going to be modest, at best, with no turbo. So I wouldn't worry about a metal head gasket just yet.
You can get the Ishino set online for approx $154.....free 2 day shipping. Just google Supra Ishino Headgasket Set. Same as Toyota factory stuff. I got new bolts from dealer for $36.
Be prepared to replace the water hoses while head is off, as the ones against the firewall are a bitch to replace later. The one that comes 'up' from fitting on middle-back of head, and goes to heater water valve can be just regular heater hose, $1.50. The other 2 will need to be the correct formed ones from the parts house, as the dealer wants one arm, and one leg for them.
Be prepared to replace the water hoses while head is off, as the ones against the firewall are a bitch to replace later. The one that comes 'up' from fitting on middle-back of head, and goes to heater water valve can be just regular heater hose, $1.50. The other 2 will need to be the correct formed ones from the parts house, as the dealer wants one arm, and one leg for them.