Topic: head or head gasket

[4runnerfromhell]

I just picked up a new project I was told it was an 83 but the vin tag shows it to be built in 10/81 it is a 22r with the square headlights now that all of the BS is out of the way it has water in the oil is there any way to tell if it is the head gasket or the head short of taking the head to the shop??? Also as info this thing will start and run it does have oil in the coolant overflow bottle and the rad is missing so I don't know what it looked like. 

Thanks
Jim

[BUBBA]

There is really no way to tell without taking it apart.Most likely it's just the gasket,but you need to have the head checked anyway.So just go ahead and tear into it.I would go ahead and put a timing chain in it while I had it apart also.Did it make any noise when you ran it.Sometimes the timing chain will wear out the guide and the chain will wear a hole in the cover causing water in the oil.and vice-versa.

[4runnerfromhell [OP]]

Nope no noise it actually idled good. I had thought of the whole timing cover thing also but with oil in the overflow tank I am pretty sure it is the head or the hg I was just hoping there was a way to check before I tore it down hopefully it is just the gasket 

Thanks
Jim

[All_Set]

You'll have to take off the head, I would also suggest while in there to replace the timing chain.  Take the head to a machinist and see what they say.  This should be free of charge.  It could just be a head gasket, it could also be alot more than that.  Warped head, eroded water jackets, cracked valve seats.   

When taking off the head, don't forget about the small bolt in the front of the head that bolts to the timing chain cover!

[Cheesemaker]

Have a mechanic check the block too!  I know this for a reason!  One new head, and three head gaskets later!  Actually had a bad block!       So, get both mating surfaces checked!   

[jimbo74]

i thought the 79-83 trucks had round headlights?

[Duffil]

nope. 79-81.  Id say someone swapped out the grille/HL buckets.

[4runnerfromhell [OP]]

Yep someone replaced the grill and it was a head gasket got it back together and running last night but I do have another ? on the vac advance on the dist there is two lines is all these need is a vac source ? I took off all of the egr and smog stuff while I had it apart