tell me its a bhg

sd88supra · 07-02-2008, 04:30 AM

... because I have no idea what else it could be. No milky oil, no white smoke, no power loss... but it does spit coolant out of the reservoir. Given that mine is a N/A, I first thought it was trapped air that pressurized as the temperature increased. So I burped it- several times. I had no idea where air could leak in through other than a bhg, so I stopped driving it.

I'm just about ready to start tearing the head apart, I just need to finish reading the various bhg posts. I just hope the surface isn't warped. I'm thinking stock gasket with ARP bolts. I don't want to have a shop do it because they'll set it to factory specs. Any input is appreciated.

CyFi6 · 07-02-2008, 07:26 AM

That is a very common sign of a BHG. Get a leakage tester and pressurize each cylinder on tdc compression with the radiator cap off, if the coolant level changes at all or bubbles when you pressurize any cylinder, you can be sure it is a bhg or cracked head/block, but more likely head gasket. After a drive, is the upper radiator hose full of air as well? Good sign of a bhg.

supramacist · 07-02-2008, 08:25 AM

ARP studs..., not bolts and forget about the oem hg and get the head decked and put an MHG on it.

Bolts give, where studs do not.

Whatever you do for an hg is going to be problematic if you don't at minimum lap the block and deck the head.

edmonton · 07-02-2008, 09:09 AM

could be intake manifold gasket, i just had both mine replaced but it was pretty obvious that was the problem cos i could hear a vacuum leak.

CyFi6 · 07-02-2008, 05:37 PM

having the head milled, the block checked and cleaned well, you can use a stock head gasket with your old oem bolts, or new ones, or arp bolts or studs, it really doesn't matter very much. Just inspect your old bolts for stretching or pitting before you re-use them. If you are keeping your supra to stock power levels, i don't see why you would have to go all out if you are on a budget. And make sure you do not try to go metal head gasket unless you completely do the job 100% right, its not something you can half ass.

supramacist · 07-02-2008, 09:14 PM

Order the ARP product manuals and research them.
Even they say the studs have better grip because the studs don't turn..., only the nut where as the entire bolt turns.

ddmcse · 07-03-2008, 01:51 AM

studs are more work

it's hard enough to lower the head onto the 2 register pins w/o scratching it a little

F that your supra is an N/A and you won't be boosting it .you got it right go for it and torque it right

you're going to have the head checked for flat ? or you going to check that yourself ?

supramacist · 07-03-2008, 04:04 AM

Studs are just so damn pretty.

Grip was my word. I was trying to say what ben said.
Without actually saying it. Or thinking it rather.

ARP also states the 70lbs is the torque spec.

sd88supra · 07-03-2008, 06:40 AM

I'm contemplating taking it to a mechanic friend (he lives kinda far though), because at least he'll torque it to 75 ftlbs or 101 nm (why doesn't anyone get the units right?), and hes changed countless headgaskets, so he'll do the proper machining. I, on the other hand have never done more than tune ups so I don't know if I'll end up doing it myself.

Do I really need a metal gasket? My car's an N/A. I was under the impression that an oem with ARP studs was the way to go. But it seems that even the oem bolts (new of course) will work well with an N/A if torqued properly.

CyFi6 · 07-03-2008, 09:20 AM

You dont even need new oem bolts if yours are fine. They are not considered a replacement part, in this engine at least.

07-02-2008, 04:30 AM	#1
sd88supra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 190	tell me its a bhg ... because I have no idea what else it could be. No milky oil, no white smoke, no power loss... but it does spit coolant out of the reservoir. Given that mine is a N/A, I first thought it was trapped air that pressurized as the temperature increased. So I burped it- several times. I had no idea where air could leak in through other than a bhg, so I stopped driving it. I'm just about ready to start tearing the head apart, I just need to finish reading the various bhg posts. I just hope the surface isn't warped. I'm thinking stock gasket with ARP bolts. I don't want to have a shop do it because they'll set it to factory specs. Any input is appreciated. __________________ -1987 5 spd N/A with TEMS: low miles! All stock with the exception of electric fans and an '89 front bumper, Yokohama 225/50/16 with stock rims. It's a mess and in the garage. -1987 5 spd Turbo with TEMS: miss-matched tires, needs lots of work, but it runs! Project car. -1988 N/A auto targa: all stock except 18" rims with Falken 265/35/18 in rear and 225/35/18 in front; daily driver.

07-02-2008, 09:09 AM	#4
edmonton Stock Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: edmonton Posts: 12	could be intake manifold gasket, i just had both mine replaced but it was pretty obvious that was the problem cos i could hear a vacuum leak. __________________ White 1989 5sp Turbo Targa shimmy wastegate 3 washers, 3" exhaust 2 1/2" piping, raised hood 24mm, R1 diamond drilled/slotted rotors Momo short shifter, White Glow Gauges Panasonic CQ-C7105U MP3/CD deck, 2x12" Rockford Fosgate HE2 subs, Pioneer GM-X922 amp

07-03-2008, 01:51 AM	#7
ddmcse 500whp yet? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CT U.S.A. Posts: 966	studs are more work it's hard enough to lower the head onto the 2 register pins w/o scratching it a little F that your supra is an N/A and you won't be boosting it .you got it right go for it and torque it right you're going to have the head checked for flat ? or you going to check that yourself ? __________________ 300+ RW HP Dyno run, jdm,mod turbo,3"exh,electfan,greddyboost Blown HeadGasket info My Supra KiXGaS

07-03-2008, 06:40 AM	#9
sd88supra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 190	I'm contemplating taking it to a mechanic friend (he lives kinda far though), because at least he'll torque it to 75 ftlbs or 101 nm (why doesn't anyone get the units right?), and hes changed countless headgaskets, so he'll do the proper machining. I, on the other hand have never done more than tune ups so I don't know if I'll end up doing it myself. Do I really need a metal gasket? My car's an N/A. I was under the impression that an oem with ARP studs was the way to go. But it seems that even the oem bolts (new of course) will work well with an N/A if torqued properly. __________________ -1987 5 spd N/A with TEMS: low miles! All stock with the exception of electric fans and an '89 front bumper, Yokohama 225/50/16 with stock rims. It's a mess and in the garage. -1987 5 spd Turbo with TEMS: miss-matched tires, needs lots of work, but it runs! Project car. -1988 N/A auto targa: all stock except 18" rims with Falken 265/35/18 in rear and 225/35/18 in front; daily driver.

07-02-2008, 07:26 AM	#2
CyFi6 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SLO Posts: 234	That is a very common sign of a BHG. Get a leakage tester and pressurize each cylinder on tdc compression with the radiator cap off, if the coolant level changes at all or bubbles when you pressurize any cylinder, you can be sure it is a bhg or cracked head/block, but more likely head gasket. After a drive, is the upper radiator hose full of air as well? Good sign of a bhg.

07-02-2008, 08:25 AM	#3
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	ARP studs..., not bolts and forget about the oem hg and get the head decked and put an MHG on it. Bolts give, where studs do not. Whatever you do for an hg is going to be problematic if you don't at minimum lap the block and deck the head.

07-02-2008, 05:37 PM	#5
CyFi6 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SLO Posts: 234	having the head milled, the block checked and cleaned well, you can use a stock head gasket with your old oem bolts, or new ones, or arp bolts or studs, it really doesn't matter very much. Just inspect your old bolts for stretching or pitting before you re-use them. If you are keeping your supra to stock power levels, i don't see why you would have to go all out if you are on a budget. And make sure you do not try to go metal head gasket unless you completely do the job 100% right, its not something you can half ass.

07-02-2008, 09:14 PM	#6
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	Order the ARP product manuals and research them. Even they say the studs have better grip because the studs don't turn..., only the nut where as the entire bolt turns.

07-03-2008, 04:04 AM	#8
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	Studs are just so damn pretty. Grip was my word. I was trying to say what ben said. Without actually saying it. Or thinking it rather. ARP also states the 70lbs is the torque spec.

07-03-2008, 09:20 AM	#10
CyFi6 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SLO Posts: 234	You dont even need new oem bolts if yours are fine. They are not considered a replacement part, in this engine at least.