Thicker Toyota Head Gasket

[Co-Man-Che]

I recently took a 22re to my local machine shop to get it fully machined before I rebuilt it. When I picked up the motor, the machinist said that he "highly recommends" buying a head gasket that was extra thick to compensate for the head and deck being milled. He said it would help with cam timing. I thought it wouldn't matter that much (I mean we're talking a couple hundredths of an inch). I would like to hear some other opinions, maybe from someone who has had their deck and head milled then used a stock head gasket? Did you have any problems?

 

[Mark m.]

Yes they make HGs that are thicker just for milled heads. I've used them with no issues but I couldn't tell you what would happen if you didn't.
Maybe trainwreck will chime in and tell you what he thinks. He the toyota engine man.

 

[JOOP]

Bent valves is the potential problem.

 

[zukkev]

If you don't use one, cam to crank timing becomes an issue (as mentioned before), plus you get Increased compression/combustion temps equating to increased potential for detonation (pinging)=premature engine failure; use a thicker head gasket. You'll be much happier in the end...

 

[Co-Man-Che]

Thanks for the responses guys, sounds like the concensus is that the thicker gasket is a good idea, so that's what I'll do. Are the torque specs any different than using a stock gasket?

 

[zukkev]

Torque it per the manual....the added thickness is in the steel material of the gasket, not the fiberous material...:awesomework:

 

[zukkev]

Also, do some searchin, because they do offer shims for the 22R/RE if you want to use the stock gasket instead of possibly waiting for the special gasket should something happen.

 

[Co-Man-Che]

Thanks for all the info guys, now I can move ahead with confidence.

 

[CHOP SHOP]

its like building s new engine and putting the old worn out timing chain on it.

The crank and cam centerline are now closer and it will make more slack in the chain making a new chain sloppy and let the cam timing be retarded.

If you have ever had an old 22re and put a new chain on it and said, "wow what a difference" then thats the amount of performance you will lose when its the other way around.

 

[JACKED944RUNNER]

For future refrence Victor Reinz makes a steel headgasket shim for toyota. It used to be a 5707S.