Hi all! I'm an old fart thats been turnin' wrenches for 35 years. I build houses for a living but I'm a reasonably good backyard mechanic if I have a book to follow. I've OH'd such things as '54 GMC panel with full chrome grill/front end option and camping conversion; FC 170 Jeep w/ 400 chevy SB; "66 Bonneville w/ Sifton 390's; '69 Fiat 850 (wish I had that back- with the price of gas). I presently drive '97 Tacoma e-cab 4WD 3.4 w/ commercial topper; '80 Toy longbed on it's third motor w/ Holley 390 4bbl and a Warn 8000 up front; and of course, the 87 T Supra.
I've had the Supra for 10 years, did a valve job 23k ago and followed Toyota spec's on the head bolts. With the predictable result. I've got the head off again, the valves are still good, ARP studs on order, goin' with the Felpro HG at this time cause I'm not pullin the block to refinish.
The problem is the cam journal pedestals. I've read all the posts on this, mine look typical. Build-up on the cam journals, scratches on the cam saddles ( with a significant gouge the size of the oil hole on #7 In pedestal, but not the cap). The machine shop says the head is junk, I'm not so sure based on what I've read here. When I took it apart, it was leaking coolant into #6 cyl. but no oil contamination, pressure was 45 under load, 18 at hot idle, no unusual valve train noise, basically running good at stock boost.
The question I have here is-do I need a new head? I don't really want to spend the $. If so, where should I get it?
I've got Spearco upgrade, full custom 3"-no cat, dual magnaflow, Zoom stage I, ARP coming; and my ultimate boost goal would only be what the stock fuel system can support. Any thoughts?
I've had the Supra for 10 years, did a valve job 23k ago and followed Toyota spec's on the head bolts. With the predictable result. I've got the head off again, the valves are still good, ARP studs on order, goin' with the Felpro HG at this time cause I'm not pullin the block to refinish.
The problem is the cam journal pedestals. I've read all the posts on this, mine look typical. Build-up on the cam journals, scratches on the cam saddles ( with a significant gouge the size of the oil hole on #7 In pedestal, but not the cap). The machine shop says the head is junk, I'm not so sure based on what I've read here. When I took it apart, it was leaking coolant into #6 cyl. but no oil contamination, pressure was 45 under load, 18 at hot idle, no unusual valve train noise, basically running good at stock boost.
The question I have here is-do I need a new head? I don't really want to spend the $. If so, where should I get it?
I've got Spearco upgrade, full custom 3"-no cat, dual magnaflow, Zoom stage I, ARP coming; and my ultimate boost goal would only be what the stock fuel system can support. Any thoughts?