I replaced the head gaskets on my 5vzfe and now when it is started it is overheating. I did put a new thermostat and water pump and timing belt in at the same time. I do also have an oil leak from the oil cooler but have gaskets I have to install for that. Dumb question but people have been telling me that the headgaskets were installed backwards then. Is that even possible on this motor?

 

Did you get all the air out of the cooling system? Burping we call it 'round here.
Thermostat jiggle valve in the 6 o'clock position?

 

how would you get all the air out of the system? I will check the thermostat tonight when i get out of work. the radiator and thermostat where new and given to me when i got the truck replaced the radiator but didnt replace the thermostat until i did the head gaskets.

 

Under what running conditions is it overheating? Needle going high? Other?

Did you fill the block with coolant through the upper radiator hose?

To burp, get the radiator at the highest point in the system, remove the radiator cap, and start the engine...the idea is as the thermostat opens any air gets pushed out the through the open radiator.

Also, be sure to fill the overflow expansion tank to the cold mark with coolant.

 

The head gaskets are indexed fer left and right. They are not interchangeable but they can be installed on the wrong head. The head gaskets should've been marked as such.