lepomis68

Has any one had a headgasket blow after installing headers? I had my left bank gasket go for the second time and am looking at buying a set of Downeys. It makes sense that dumping the x-over pipe is the way to go. Just looking for some on the ground information.

Thanks

ChickenLover

Yes, my right bank blew after having my downey headers for over year. Getting rid of the crossover is definately a great idea. But it's not going to solve the faulty headgasket problem. How long did you go before the second failure? Did you do the work yourself, and what brand of gaskets did you use after the first failure as well as the second?

TRunner

Your headgasket should not be effected by replacing headers at all. In fact, you don't even need to pull the heads or replace a headgasket to put on headers. If you had a headgasket go south after you replaced headers, I would say it was pure coincidence. If you have gone through two of them, then I would say either you replaced the first one with a non-factory replacement, your head is warped, or your head bolts were not tourqed correctly.

Ganoid

Headers may help the HG issue but I feel certain thay will eliminate the burned valve issues.

lepomis68

Thanks for the replies!

Chickenlover I had 109K one the first hg went. I used a hg set from partsdinosaur with new head bolts and the head was decked before I replaced it. I put about 35K on it before the hg blew again, same side. and just bought a gasket set from enginbldr.

I am just trying to figure out if I want to just replace the hg again and go with the x-over and dump the truck or throw in a pair of headers and keep it.

TRunner

I would concider this. There have been many problems with the original Toyota HG's and after market HG's, but the new Toyota factory HG's work great. I would also try and get factory head bolts and make sure it is not a warped head. The surface on your block should be checked and machined as well.

Good Luck!