7M's and 5M's

[hkspwr]

Ok guys basically I know that the 7M's and 5m's are known for having having head gasket issues. But how bad is it? Is it avoidable, ie driving sensibly, keeping shit topped up etc..

Im looking at getting a daily and have been considering a mx73 or 83 but really dont want to have to put up with it doing head gaskets.

Cheers

[xero]

depends on the car.
there are many cressies out there that have never busted a head gasket, and there other that do it as soon as you turn the key. so if your looking at one for a daily try and find one owned by some old dorries who only drove to the shops on tuesday and to bingo (there is more out there than you think...)

otherwise, what ever car you buy AND it does happen, dont just chuck another head gasket on as it will most likely happen again. best preventative maintence if it does happen is pull the head off get the head and/or block decked so it has a flat surface and fit a metal head gasket.
unless your running mega boost it wont pop anytime soon.

[hkspwr]

Yeah the mx83 ive sussed out has recently had the head done, doesnt specify whether its been decked or not. But yeah ideally im looking for a grandma/grandpa car

[-ollie-]

the 5m is nowhere near as bad as the 7m. The 7m had the wrong torque spec for the head bolts due to a last minute change in the headgasket material.

[77crown]

i have a 4M in my car blew the head! XD

[Jacobxxx]

this.
people are so quick to write them off, 7m is actually a decently powered engine. they love the fuel though.

[hkspwr]

Id like to avoid having to do that but I guess if it happens may aswell do it properly. Id imagine 5m's and 7m's would have similar fuel economy 2.8 - 3 litre...
Just came into a bit of cash from centrelink so might be able to expand my choices now

[takai]

I had my 7M go fine for the 3 years i had it in. And that includes towing cars and doing long distance trips. I didnt look after it well either. Would get 15L/100km though, regardless of how much or little throttle i used, or even if i was towing the race car...

2JZGEs are way better though.

[hkspwr]

Well I think my budget has gone up to around 9k now so I guess that brings in a few more chioces

[xsoarerx]

my 6M used to get 10Km/L and its was a mint motor. depends what car your putting it into but a 5m could be compaired to an rb30... nice little work horse. 7m has 20hp more than 6m and 6m has 20 more than 5m's etc...