how many head gaskets should you replace in a year ?

[tat2matt]

i do believe they did check it for warpage, they also did the valves and painted it. what a deal. maybe i should just stay out of arakansas my bike also tried to fail me on the trail, it was a perfect trip....

The problem is clear. They painted it the wrong color!

 

[lcolon]

I run my truck up and down very steep mountains in CA in the heat and it has not cause a HG to blow. The only time I have ever blown a HG on a cruiser was driving on the freeway when I lost my radiator hose and not realizing it until the vehicle started pinging.

We did own a '82 6.2L Diesel Chevy that ate HGs for lunch. We changed it no less than six times, including re-machined heads - the works. The issue came down to the block being warped so we finally sold the truck. Good luck and I hope you checked the block tolerances as well as the head.

 

[mikeob1]

The focus of the conversation has been on the mechanicals of the HG. Likely, there are other factors at play. High combustion temp due to EGR delete...modified ignition? Driving in mountains, making a lean condition, plus vacuum leak? All of these would make a hot running motor that would melt the cheese aluminium.

More info is helpful, my friend.

 

[Output Shaft]

This link has good info on head gasket failure:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/gasket_failure.htm

And below is another comparison of an after market 2F head gasket purchased from a well known Land Cruiser shop, compared to a new Toyota 2F head gasket.

It is amazing the engine cooled properly at all. (It didn't)
Toyota blocked off several of the coolant holes in the head with their head gasket for a reason... to optimize flow across the head for best cooling.

 

[rustybucket]

1.) every year at this time i go on a mountain bike trip to mountain view arkansas. each year coming home i get to replace the h/g. no different this year. i was wondering if i'm using crap gaskets, i didn't use a toyota one last time. i did have the valves done and checked for cracks last time. the truck didn't overheat while driving didn't smoke to much when up to speed, but at idle in the drive way it runs poorly. i did have 3 people gear 2 bikes on roof and some long climbs.

2.) should i just replace the gasket and stop the worry?

 

[rustybucket]

I have never had a HG failure on all the makes and model vehicles since 1996. Here is what I do.

-Remove head by spec torqe loosing sequence.
-Send head to machine shop to check for warpage/shaving and cracks in saddles
-Retap/clean out block threads and airblast or break clean out holes
-Never replaced a block or had a block checked for warpage
-Replace head bolts with new bolts
-Send Torqe wrench in for calibration ever 6 months
-Use Felpro or Factory spec head gaskets
-Retorqe head bolts to factory specs
-Pressure check collant system AFTER head and hose is on
-Pressure check Radiator cap "this one caused my subaru engine head to go"
-Replaced thermostat
-Replace hoses if spring is collapsed "suction side of pump hose can collapse if the spring is rotted, restricting flow of water to radiator.
-Check for proper flow rate by pooring water out of hose into bucket
-Check clutch on fan and or cycle electric fan
-Raise vehicle up in air to bleed air out or out of bleed screws. Also, There is a special radiator collant tool that places a vacume on collant to prevent air crapped in engine.

1.) every year at this time i go on a mountain bike trip to mountain view arkansas. each year coming home i get to replace the h/g. no different this year. i was wondering if i'm using crap gaskets, i didn't use a toyota one last time. i did have the valves done and checked for cracks last time. the truck didn't overheat while driving didn't smoke to much when up to speed, but at idle in the drive way it runs poorly. i did have 3 people gear 2 bikes on roof and some long climbs.

2.) should i just replace the gasket and stop the worry?