I watched a video last night about Toyotas discontinuing of the 5.7L V8, and if it would be that great if they brought it back. After watching the rather informative video, which explained a problem with the engines blowing head gaskets, and why, I came away feeling these 5.7s arent quite as bullet proof as I had felt.
Definitely a robust design mechanically, and undoubtedly one of the best normally aspirated engines out there, but because of the aluminum block and heads that can’t be Decked or surfaced to correct slight warpage , often caused by overheating from a blown steel head gasket, without the sourcing of thicker head gaskets to make up for what is removed during the decking/resurfacing process, to keep the valve timing correct, it makes addressing a blown head gasket potentially ludicrously expensive.
The collection this shop had of blown head gaskets from Toyota aluminum block, aluminum head with steel head gasket engines was convincing, that regular oil and coolant changes was critical to help extend the life of these engines.
The owner of the 2013 LC 200 with 200k miles, that was the center of the video, was in for a huge let down with the reality he was up against a repair that would most likely exceed the value of his vehicle, which is 5 years newer than mine with 350k… so I’m now thinking any use I get from mine from this point forward should be considered a blessing…
Thinking about what we are going to buy to replace it, I can’t think of anything other than a newer LC or LX, but only with low miles knowing anything with a lot of miles can be the next one with a costly blown head gasket,
They mentioned the “UZ” V 8s with iron blocks and heads regularly going over 500k to 600k, but I’m not familiar with those engines.
With an American V8 SUV, engine replacement or rebuilding is at least palatable , with thousands of used engines and parts available at far more reasonable prices.
No, not comparable to a LC or LX, but far more manageable when things do go South and you need to rebuild or replace the engine.
I’m now wondering just how many 5.7s actually made it to 500k…
Definitely a robust design mechanically, and undoubtedly one of the best normally aspirated engines out there, but because of the aluminum block and heads that can’t be Decked or surfaced to correct slight warpage , often caused by overheating from a blown steel head gasket, without the sourcing of thicker head gaskets to make up for what is removed during the decking/resurfacing process, to keep the valve timing correct, it makes addressing a blown head gasket potentially ludicrously expensive.
The collection this shop had of blown head gaskets from Toyota aluminum block, aluminum head with steel head gasket engines was convincing, that regular oil and coolant changes was critical to help extend the life of these engines.
The owner of the 2013 LC 200 with 200k miles, that was the center of the video, was in for a huge let down with the reality he was up against a repair that would most likely exceed the value of his vehicle, which is 5 years newer than mine with 350k… so I’m now thinking any use I get from mine from this point forward should be considered a blessing…
Thinking about what we are going to buy to replace it, I can’t think of anything other than a newer LC or LX, but only with low miles knowing anything with a lot of miles can be the next one with a costly blown head gasket,
They mentioned the “UZ” V 8s with iron blocks and heads regularly going over 500k to 600k, but I’m not familiar with those engines.
With an American V8 SUV, engine replacement or rebuilding is at least palatable , with thousands of used engines and parts available at far more reasonable prices.
No, not comparable to a LC or LX, but far more manageable when things do go South and you need to rebuild or replace the engine.
I’m now wondering just how many 5.7s actually made it to 500k…
