Possible New Supra Owner

MWoz34 · 08-07-2005, 06:25 AM

I am just about to purchase my first car ever, a 1987 Toyota Supra. I put down my deposit today, and I am scheduled to pick her up on Monday. I have done serious research today about troublespots on Supra's, and I have discovered that the Head Gasket is the main problem. We drove the car and everything ran fine. NO warning signs of a possible head gasket problem. Still i am a little worried about the head gasket. Does anyone know a way to prevent the head gasket from blowing, and if you do, i would really appreciate it if you could let me know right away. Any advice given would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You Very Much.

suprra_girl · 08-07-2005, 11:13 AM

the only way to prevent it blowing is to buy a new one from toyota and ask them to torque it down properly lol

sorry but it will blow eventually

what i would do is save up the $$ for the new hg and bolts and get the head checked for warpage etc... clean surfaces new toyota hg and new toyota bolts torqued to 72ft lbs (or arp head studs torqued to 82ft lbs with arp moly lube) and do it before it blows... or when you see the very first symptoms...

temp spiking
overheating in traffic
overheating on boost

is just some symptoms

of course if you have these problems try the simple things first... radiator flush, water pump, radiator cap, thermostat

if it's from a dealer see if you can score some sort of warranty that covers the hg

MWoz34 · 08-07-2005, 07:45 PM

How much will the head gasket cost altogether???
How much will the part cost, and how much will labor cost?
Should this problem prevent me from purchasing the car?

SuperSupra86 · 08-07-2005, 09:12 PM

bolts 80-90$ i have seen
HKS Bead Metal Head Gasket TOYOTA Supra 1986.5-1992 (Engine Code: 7MG(T)E) Thickness (mm) 1.2 Bore (mm) 86 Compression Ratio - 140 ish
Labor....hella lot it took me two days work to take her apart and put her together 15 or so hours....probably around 65-85 bux an hour plus shop fees.....im not trained self taught so they probably faster but its really expensive..............My 1987 turbo targa top 5spd is the most fun car ever handles on rail....premium fuel gets pricey as well i buy octane booster.... its fun....i almost didn't and im glad i did

Poodles · 08-08-2005, 10:03 AM

I've seen about $3k to do the whole nine yards on taking the engine out, machining block and head, and doing the install because of all the labor. If you're good enough to pull the engine yourself and replace the headgasket yourself, you'll save a LOT of money I'd imagine...

08-10-2005, 11:45 AM

Supras dont normaly blow the head gasket unless ur gonna drive like a maniac.. all the time, yess they do have a problem with the head gasket but more so on the turbo models, u can pick up a HSK gasket for around $200 ausie dollas, this should prevent the head gasket from blowing for upyo around (estimate) 250,000 ks. thats if u drive like ur driving like ur in bathurst, on the last lap nd everyones infront of u. but i reckon ur pretty safe as far as gaskets go

MWoz34 · 08-11-2005, 02:08 AM

Well i have bought the car, and lets hope everything turns out ok. I'll say that the car is in excellent condition and it drove home perfectly. I am going to take it to our mechanic to have the torque changed to 75 lbs. ft.

08-07-2005, 11:13 AM	#2
suprra_girl 7M POWAH! ;) Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,312	the only way to prevent it blowing is to buy a new one from toyota and ask them to torque it down properly lol sorry but it will blow eventually what i would do is save up the $$ for the new hg and bolts and get the head checked for warpage etc... clean surfaces new toyota hg and new toyota bolts torqued to 72ft lbs (or arp head studs torqued to 82ft lbs with arp moly lube) and do it before it blows... or when you see the very first symptoms... temp spiking overheating in traffic overheating on boost is just some symptoms of course if you have these problems try the simple things first... radiator flush, water pump, radiator cap, thermostat if it's from a dealer see if you can score some sort of warranty that covers the hg __________________ Please use the forum to ask your questions as they will get replied to much faster than pming me Pics of my build. "Good girls are just bad girls that don't get caught" Do a diagnostic first!

08-07-2005, 09:12 PM	#4
SuperSupra86 3" Exhaust Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Deerfield, WI Posts: 97	bolts 80-90$ i have seen HKS Bead Metal Head Gasket TOYOTA Supra 1986.5-1992 (Engine Code: 7MG(T)E) Thickness (mm) 1.2 Bore (mm) 86 Compression Ratio - 140 ish Labor....hella lot it took me two days work to take her apart and put her together 15 or so hours....probably around 65-85 bux an hour plus shop fees.....im not trained self taught so they probably faster but its really expensive..............My 1987 turbo targa top 5spd is the most fun car ever handles on rail....premium fuel gets pricey as well i buy octane booster.... its fun....i almost didn't and im glad i did __________________ Who needs zoom zoom......I got turbo!!!

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08-07-2005, 06:25 AM	#1
MWoz34 Stock Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 9	I am just about to purchase my first car ever, a 1987 Toyota Supra. I put down my deposit today, and I am scheduled to pick her up on Monday. I have done serious research today about troublespots on Supra's, and I have discovered that the Head Gasket is the main problem. We drove the car and everything ran fine. NO warning signs of a possible head gasket problem. Still i am a little worried about the head gasket. Does anyone know a way to prevent the head gasket from blowing, and if you do, i would really appreciate it if you could let me know right away. Any advice given would be greatly appreciated. Thank You Very Much.

08-07-2005, 07:45 PM	#3
MWoz34 Stock Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 9	How much will the head gasket cost altogether??? How much will the part cost, and how much will labor cost? Should this problem prevent me from purchasing the car?

08-08-2005, 10:03 AM	#5
Poodles 12psi boost Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 348	I've seen about $3k to do the whole nine yards on taking the engine out, machining block and head, and doing the install because of all the labor. If you're good enough to pull the engine yourself and replace the headgasket yourself, you'll save a LOT of money I'd imagine...

08-10-2005, 11:45 AM	#6
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Supras dont normaly blow the head gasket unless ur gonna drive like a maniac.. all the time, yess they do have a problem with the head gasket but more so on the turbo models, u can pick up a HSK gasket for around $200 ausie dollas, this should prevent the head gasket from blowing for upyo around (estimate) 250,000 ks. thats if u drive like ur driving like ur in bathurst, on the last lap nd everyones infront of u. but i reckon ur pretty safe as far as gaskets go

08-11-2005, 02:08 AM	#7
MWoz34 Stock Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 9	Well i have bought the car, and lets hope everything turns out ok. I'll say that the car is in excellent condition and it drove home perfectly. I am going to take it to our mechanic to have the torque changed to 75 lbs. ft.