smurf182 wrote:DieselBoy wrote:Set aside $1200 for a new head. It is only a matter of time untill it will need one. They ALL crack. Makes no difference what year, its a Toyota thing.
Not quite. They're prone to cracking if overheated. I know of plenty of 2.4 Surfs still on their stock heads after 200,000+ kays. Maintain the cooling system properly as you should do on any vehicle and you will be fine. I'd have it pressure tested to ensure it's not already cracked, never know what the previous owner was like.
The procedure for ensuring 2L-T/E reliability is this:
Rectify any leaks/perished hoses.
Have the system pressure flushed by a decent rad shop (garden hose pressure will not remove all rust).
Install new radiator cap with correct pressure rating.
Install new thermostat, Tridon brand.
Check condition of viscous fan.
Install big bore exhaust (lower backpressure = lower EGTs. More power too.)
Install intercooler (lower charge temp = higher charge density = lower EGTs. More power too.)
Hehe, its been a hotley debated topic on ORE for years
My opinion (based on the amount of these engines that suffer from cracked heads) is over time, through the expansion and contraction of the head through ordinary operation of the engine, the heads crack as they are poorly designed. Over heating just speeds this process up.
Must agree though, the mod's you listed will do alot to prevent it happening. Heat is the killer, and if you can get the EGT's down, they are more likely to hang in there for longer.
Just don't over heat it!!!!
, Been using it the last 3 days....zippy wee truck.......even with the OME springs theres a wee bit of body roll which I need to get used to.....similar to the Grand Vitara .....but with stiffer suspension.
jerry put them on for me... i brought it like that... he said hooks were really important and u could never have to many...