Recent content by rbutton

Is there a quick test (ie - not involving engine tear down) to confirm worn rings? Just changed the oil. Got about 3 quarts out and it seemed "dirtier" than usual. What is strange is that cylinder pressures were measured pretty high (180-195psi) just after head gasket repair. I would...

1986.5 NA Supra with 143,000 miles. Just replaced head gasket about 5,000 miles ago and used a rebuilt head from http://cylinder-heads.com/ After a few minor hiccups, running without any problems this year, except that I have to put about 1 qt. of oil in every 500-1000 miles. No drips...

Here's photo of the plugs I removed. Cylinder #1 on the left and #6 on the right. What's going on in cylinder #6? I've never seen an insulator that brown before.

Well, I didn't want to burn through a bunch of drill bits and break a tap, so I bought one of these - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RUS-640700/ and a 1/8" NPT to 3/16" hose barb that will work perfectly with the hose and meter I have in my Harbor Freight kit. Once I get everything...

Thanks for the ideas! I searched the forum and couldn't find anything. I happen to have a pressure kit from Harbor Freight that has just the right things I need. There is a short 6" hose with a 6.0 x 1.0 mm threaded connection on one side and a schrader valve on the other side. Just need to...

Update - Before going in to replace the MHG with a composite HG I had to clear-out the coolant flush I put in. While doing this I noticed tiny bubbles/foam coming out of the radiator while the engine was running. Even after flushing the system with water I still saw tiny bubbles coming out at...

Can someone point me to a kit I can buy so I can hook-up a fuel pressure gauge to my 7M-GE? Extra points for something inexpensive. Suspect I have a leaking injector (have trouble with warm starts) and want to verify before sending off the injectors for cleaning/tuning.

Here's some photos of the failed OEM head gasket after removal. You can see that it failed on cylinder 6 and that each exhaust coolant channel seal has been deformed. Cylinders 2 and 3 look OK to me, so not sure those "cracks" are much of an issue. Cylinders 6 and 5 Cylinders 4 and 3...

In reviewing pictures I took of the block I found some cracks between exhaust-side water jacket ports on cylinders 2 and 3. Also looks like a small crack from water jacket to head bolt hole. I reviewed close-ups of all other areas and found no other cracks. Should I be concerned? I don't...

I couldn't see any coolant leaking at the back of the engine, although I did have to move the big water union from my old head to the new, so I guess it's possible that I didn't get a good seal when re-installing. However, I think other posters are probably right that I need to abandon the...

Yes, I understand that. According to this site: http://bobmay.astronomy.net/misc/tempcoef.htm aluminum expands at twice the rate of iron. At hot temperatures the force on the head gasket/bolts should be greater than when cold. So in the past when I had problems with the OEM gasket it was due...

1986.5 NA Targa

Why the great compression readings when cold, then BHG when hot? I thought the ARP bolts would hold things together better when the going got tough?

As far as I can tell, coolant only getting out through radiator overflow ---------- Post added at 11:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:23 PM ---------- Correct. I don't have equipment to remove the block. Last HG I replaced lasted 15 years, but it was OEM.

Apologies for the long post. I recently put an HKS 1.2mm MHG on an 86.5 NA with a refurbed head (mirror finished) and a block that was only surface cleaned. Installed ARP bolts to 85ft lbs. Was thrilled to get 180-190 psi reading on all cylinders, and the car ran stronger than it ever has in...