Vehicle Owner

Member ID: kcg795

Location: Skamokawa, WA

Vehicle Info

1984 Toyota Van

Bragging Rights

  • 1/4 Mile0 sec @ -1 mph
  • 0-600sec
  • Top Speed-1mph
  • HP-1
  • Weight3500lbs

Major Upgrades

  • turbo
  • nitrous
  • bore increase
  • port and polish
  • supercharger
  • extrude honed
  • stroke increase
  • engine swap

Modifications

Performance Parts

Car Audio & Video

Ratings

    • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.

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Last updated: Mar 31, 2006

Hits: 32,839

KC’s Toyota Van
“Pill Bug”

  • Currently 3.3 /5 Stars.
19 guestbook comments

So, back to the engine work.

Headgasket set from Toyota was $115. We went ahead and had them order it. Now here's the difference.

kcg795's 1984 Toyota Van

Notice the firing rings are a bit thicker? Not only that. But a "Toyota" headgasket is made from different materials that are meant to withstand the temperatures of these engines. In fact, Toyotas do not get along with aftermarket at all. Now, Supras and Cressidas probably have plenty of aftermarket headgaskets that might be better than OEM. But other Toyotas? GO WITH OEM!!!

Here's another difference...

kcg795's 1984 Toyota Van

Take a look at the small holes on each headgasket. Notice the aftermarket has 1 hole and the OEM has 2? So it wasn't getting very good water flow. And the head is designed to have 2 holes!

I'm friends with a lot of the Toyota Van owners who also post on this site. They even told me about the problems aftermarket headgaskets have. I was gonna take a chance and go with aftermarket, but I don't wanna risk blowing another gasket. I don't like taking chances at this point.

So, time to start putting her back together...

Guestbook

Displaying entries 1-5 of 19

funwagon  

Posted by: funwagon

08/23/2009 12:42PM

I am about as far from a gear head as one can get, but my 1984 LE van is losing power and needs hte exhaust system replaced. Apart from getting the old bolts off, is this something a novice could/should even try? I'm hoping it restores some of the power too, Also, I'd love to convert this van over to a camper. Does anyone have experiences with that? Sources?

Carbon42  

Posted by: Carbon42

07/02/2009 08:06PM

I really admire your determination and perseverance. You took an old car and made it run (almost) like new. That takes know how and a lot of time, I must say. I'm on the verge of getting an 89 LE Van for $400 from Portland, and I'll have to take pics and work on it this summer for Car Domain. I think these 80's vans are really cool looking, no wonder they were marketed in Japan as the Space Cruiser. I don't know what I want to theme mine yet, though. Any suggestions? Come by my page later, when I have it up. It's nice to see a fellow Washingtonian around. :D

OverkillHarvill  

Posted by: OverkillHarvill

02/02/2008 01:13AM

All these great looking vans.Do you guys know a good place for parts? I am looking for the steering middle arm [or link] for my 1985 Toyota van. I already have a new idler and pitman arms. But no one seems to know what I am talking about. All the wrecking yards here in my part of Texas have crushed all their old vans. If anyone knows a wrecking yard or a hard to find parts place that would handle it please E-mail me at OverkillHarvill@Gmail.com

durr_ruh_rurr  

Posted by: durr_ruh_rurr

11/12/2006 06:42PM

These were cool, my parents had one. I really liked the equalizer and the cheesy 80s level meter next to it lol! I also liked the forward control design. Ours had the ice maker option too. Top speed was maybe 80mph on a good day, but the forward control made 55mph feel like 90mph.

DANGER60RANGER  

Posted by: DANGER60RANGER

09/15/2006 07:54AM

hey man i see you have a toyota van i have a brand new water pump a FULL GASKET kit that cost over 200 dollars and a brand new aluminum head with new springs and valves and some other odds and ends if you want ill make you one he!! of a deal as i no longer have my van. i also have a manual from toyota. shows EVERY THING. if you or any one you know needs any of these parts email me at kehighfield60@gmail.com

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: kcg795

Location: Skamokawa, WA