Engine Block Deck Finish

[The Critic]

2010 Corolla with 2ZR-FE. HG failed between #1 and 2.

Deck and cylinder head both measured flat. No pitting on the deck surface and the surface finish looks pretty decent. Only cleaning performed involved scraping off gasket material with plastic razor blade and a wipe with brake clean. However, there is some odd discoloration throughout the surface — any ideas?

 

[Rand]

That looks like the old subi gaskets that would fail on the NA 2.5 EJ's

I'm in the leave it alone camp.. as far as getting more aggressive such as fine sanding it.

 

[Trav]

The discoloration is from the IIRC graphite coating on the original HG and is not an issue. If it and the head are flat stop where you are, nothing more than the plastic razor bland and brake cleaner is needed. Use a Cometic HG and new bolts or a stud kit which is pricey but well worth it .

https://www.amazon.com/Cometic-Gasket-C14175-034-Head/dp/B0CCPJDSWB

https://www.amazon.com/ARP-203-4703-Cylinder-Head-Stud/dp/B005AU65OK

https://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/product/arp-head-stud-kit-toyota-1zz-fe-2zr-fe-arp-2000/

 

[The Critic]

The discoloration is from the IIRC graphite coating on the original HG and is not an issue. If it and the head are flat stop where you are, nothing more than the plastic razor bland and brake cleaner is needed. Use a Cometic HG and new bolts or a stud kit which is pricey but well worth it .

https://www.amazon.com/Cometic-Gasket-C14175-034-Head/dp/B0CCPJDSWB

https://www.amazon.com/ARP-203-4703-Cylinder-Head-Stud/dp/B005AU65OK

https://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/product/arp-head-stud-kit-toyota-1zz-fe-2zr-fe-arp-2000/

Thanks. I used a $99 Fel-Pro kit and re-used the head bolts since they measured within specs. Car will not be kept for much longer.

 

[Timmastertech]

Staining is normal. If the surface feels smooth and nothing catches a fingernail its fine. That block has a nicer finish on it than the new Ford short block I just put in a Fusion.

 

[AKhan87]

Thanks. I used a $99 Fel-Pro kit and re-used the head bolts since they measured within specs. Car will not be kept for much longer.

From my experience of 115+ Toyota engines rebuilt, the OEM head bolts measured within spec every single time, and can be reused according to original Toyota repair manual, I am sure you already know this.

Fel-Pro is great and never ever gave me an issue.

I prefer Mahle because it is the same thickness and design as OEM head gasket, Fel-Pro tends to be a different design and slightly thicker.

And as Trav mentioned the discoloration is not of any concern and your surface actually looks great, great prep work.

 

[The Critic]

From my experience of 115+ Toyota engines rebuilt, the OEM head bolts measured within spec every single time, and can be reused according to original Toyota repair manual, I am sure you already know this.

Fel-Pro is great and never ever gave me an issue.

I prefer Mahle because it is the same thickness and design as OEM head gasket, Fel-Pro tends to be a different design and slightly thicker.

And as Trav mentioned the discoloration is not of any concern and your surface actually looks great, great prep work.

Thanks. Honestly not sure how much life this engine has remaining. This was how much sludge I found:

Oil change history has been 5K for the last 70K+ so I think most of this sludge was from the coolant intrusion.

 

[trd1zz]

Did this engine overheat

 

[The Critic]

Did this engine overheat

Not that I’m aware of, but it was recently acquired.

 

[AKhan87]

Thanks. Honestly not sure how much life this engine has remaining. This was how much sludge I found:

View attachment 295438View attachment 295439View attachment 295441
Oil change history has been 5K for the last 70K+ so I think most of this sludge was from the coolant intrusion.

Most oil pans looks like that on the engines I have rebuilt, usually from conventional motor oil, Toyotas 4 cylinder engines are not easy on oil, clean everything up and run VRP at 5k OCI and forget about it, these engines can easily go higher mileage, especially with good maintenance.

 

[The Critic]

Most oil pans looks like that on the engines I have rebuilt, usually from conventional motor oil, Toyotas 4 cylinder engines are not easy on oil, clean everything up and run VRP at 5k OCI and forget about it, these engines can easily go higher mileage, especially with good maintenance.

I'll have to defer to your experience, but I usually don't see the this nasty.

Engine has been reassembled and released back to the driver. No issues at this time, but we'll see how long it lasts.