3VZE Headgasket Job Questions

[Tahoe Jimmy]

I'm in the middle of doing the head gaskets on my 94 4Runner (140K), "Oh, what a feeling!" Got the heads off yesterday! She overheated in the middle of a road trip and we had to stop and add water about every 100 miles between Ohio and Baltimore. Idled rough and white steam out the tailpipe but ran reasonably well enough to get us to Baltimore. I obviously assumed #6, but it didn't look "steam cleaned" like I've seen in other posts, looked like the other 5. The gasket sealing ring was a little crushed and separated from the rest of the gasket right next to the upper rear water passage hole of #6. Is that the Headgasket leak?

#1 & #3 exhaust clearances were .006, and #6 exhaust was .004. Haven't got the valves out yet, (have to find compressor that fits into the spring pockets, Rentable? AdvanceAutoParts loanable?) Would clearances that tight necessarily burn valves? Truck had been running normal, what are symptoms of burnt valves?

When I removed the PAIR Reed valve, the 4 screws that attach the rectangular part together were all gone. Could they have fallen out? Last time anyone touched the engine was when the dealer did the HG recall at 30k. Is that a mechanics alternative to removing the valve from the exhaust manifold? Is there a gasket for that rectangular part that I need to replace?

Before I found this forum I bought a FelPro head gasket set. Seen a few posts where people don't recommend using FelPro gaskets. Have many people used FelPro head gaskets and had them fail prematurely?

I was considering using Bosch+4 spark plugs as part of the "tune up". I've used them in a few other engines (chevy 350s) and they make the engine run noticeably smoother. Has any one had any experience with them in the 3VZE?

Anyone recommend a good machine shop in Baltimore??

[fourwd1]

Screws don't just fall out, well sometimes, but not all 4.
I've never had nor heard of a problem with Fel-Pro gaskets in general. As far as 3.0 head gaskets, both Toyota and the aftermarket came out with improved ones.
For some reason, Bosch parts and Japanese vehicles don't seem to play well together. For plugs I stick with NGK or Denso, like the manual says.
The only auto machine shop I've had any experience with in Baltimore is Mancini Machine.
my .02

[jetwhine]

TahoeJimmy,

I have felpro gaskets in one of my rigs and have not had any issues with them. As far as the plugs are concerned as fourwd1 stated stick with Denso or NGK. Nothing else will work to the rigs satisfaction. Number six is usually were she blows. And it sounds like you have had seperation there. The reason the valve clearance is tight is because they have not been adjusted in a long time. What happens is they stretch and cause a tight clearance. This tight clearance will cause the valve not to close all the way and will eventually burn the valve because under compresion some of the hot gases will blow back by the partially open valve. So it is a good idea to adjust them once in awhile. This can also cause valve float at higher rpm's.