Anybody found ARP head bolts for a '97 4Runner? I can find them everywhere for up to '95's. Hoping this might help since I've blown head gaskets twice now! Thanks for any help.

 

I have had the pleasure of replacing the head gaskets and I do not envy you. I just used the new head bolts from the parts store. I don't know what brand they where.

 

I've decided to rebuild all since I am so close and it has 200,000 miles. It all still looks nice, but might as well since I'm this far! Did you replace with stock head gaskets?

 

Surely there's a root cause to you blowing 2 headgaskets. Have you tried to figure it out? Does your screen name mean you are supercharged? Tell us more.

I think there is more than meets the eye here...

 

Good call. I want to know more, since from what I know 3.4's don't usually crank through head gaskets.

 

I used the Felt-Pro gasket. Once I got those heads off I seriously considered going ahead and doing the bottom as well. Problem is I have been down that road and you have to stop the "might as well..." train before it gets rolling.

 

Hey guys. Can't pull the wool over your eyes! I overheated the engine years ago. First set of head gaskets replaced at the garage. Then not knowing any better, I bolted a TRD supercharger on and didn't do any fuel mods. Second mistake. Let my brother borrow it to pick up a tv. Third mistake. The transmission line randomly blew out of the radiator (not the first of these I've seen). He is even less knowledgeable than me and let it overheat again (no trans fluid and also no radiator fluid when that particular piece corrodes out). The 4Runner ran after I replaced the radiator, but it sputtered afterwards as it did years ago when I blew the gaskets so I assumed that was the problem again. Oil was in the radiator, (thinking back now I guess it could have been transmission fluid) but no water was in the oil pan. Under hard acceleration in felt as if coolant was passing into the cylinder and drowning it out. Plugs weren't white though. Upon further inspection the head gaskets didn't look blown. Here I am. I don't know what was really wrong with it. I thought 200,000 miles was enough that I would kick myself if I was chincy and didn't work the short block and had to tear it all back down again. I took it apart this weekend and my die hard Ford friend cussed the entire day! Still had crosshatching on the cylinder walls and main bearings looked new. It was great! I love it. Any suggestions? Any idea where to get ARP head bolts? By the way I have an URD kit to aid in the fuel delivery this time around. Thanks.

 

According to ARP's website they don't make studs for the 5VZFE (or the 3VZE), they do make them for:
22R
5/7M
4AG
3SG
2JZ

 

So much for the internet search. Tomorrow I guess I'll just call ARP. Probably should have done that to begin with.

 

Contact www.paradiseracing.com i believe they had ARP make 5vz headbolts for them.
OR www.psiracing.com

 

Do not use Fel Pro head gaskets! This comes from someone who has had over 20 years experience in the car parts business. I used Ishino head gaskets, but had I known about engnbldr.com before ordering them, I would have ordered the HG from Ted. He also has the reusable head bolts for the 3VZE, maybe he can get the bolts for yours also.