what would a head gasket repair cost?

[olemisstoy88]

I think my HG is going . how much to fix on average. I heard some high numbers, scary. So I need to know what is the amount of labor and time to do it?

[MiniSimp]

Cost me 2 12 packs of beer ($15), a gasket set ($70), and about 6 hours labor.

[Wermz84]

Cost me 2 12 packs of beer ($15), a gasket set ($70), and about 6 hours labor.

That is definatly a "bro" deal! 


If you do end up going through a shop it can get pretty spendy.   

[MiniSimp]

That is definatly a "bro" deal! 


If you do end up going through a shop it can get pretty spendy.   

Exactly, it would be around a grand or more at a shop.

[CTENG in KS]

yeah, on these older engines the only cost effective way is DIY.

[olemisstoy88]

arrghhh, I am the only toyota guy in the area. So I will have to do it my self. I have never fooled with a head b4. can ya'll talk me through it? The board was really helpful on my tranny swap.

[MiniSimp]

This might help you, your motor may be slightly different, but...
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=8872.0

[CTENG in KS]

Get a Haynes Manual...it has step by step by step. 

[79coyotefrg]

yea man  we'll help ya out

when you pull the headbolts, make sure and get the little 12mm head ed bolt under the distributor drive gear

[unclejpl4x4]

also put the moter on TDC and mark your distributer befor pulling.........
Also hate 2 pop this on U  but whens the last time The timing chain was done  now would be a great time 2 do it.  How many miles U got ?

[Shamb]

dont take it to a shop.. yea its alot of work but you'll thank yourself later when you dont have a $1200+ bill infront of your plate.

[toyotasarebetter]

haha the infamous just a head gasket..... if you keep driving it and warp the head we are talking some money.... if you tear it down and rebuild it right the first time with an AFTERMARKET head gasket... you will have no problem... but if you let it sit (like I did) and everything gets all rusted and let the motor freeze up... you get to pay even more money

[kneedownnate]

Head gaskets are cake on the r series engines.  Ditto on the haynes manual, it has plenty of info on pulling heads to feel confident.  I'd go to a local parts store if you're not sure, thumb through the manual and see if it looks like something you'd wanna do yourself first though.  If you're going to pay a shop big bucks to do it you may as well spend about the same and get a rebuild anyway.  I could maybe take some pics of the pages for you if you want, did it for lilbuddy for the loosening/tightening sequence on the head bolts and it came out good enough.  I'd also get a good torque wrench and long 1/2" breaker bar for busting loose the head bolts, they're usually stuck pretty good if it's never been torn into.  Oh, and if at all possible get a toyota head gasket, there's no better, unless you find a copper one, but I've yet to find one! 

[CTENG in KS]

I finally got my HG in and have started putting the engine back together...Changing the gasket is EASY...the hard part is the dirty dirt and the friggin intake that doesn't wanna come off, then doesn't wanna go back together and did i mention all the Dirty Dirt...AAAAHHHH...GOOD LUCK!

[unclejpl4x4]

just remember to take your time and clean every thing ..... organize your parts/bolts

and make sure for the love of  Mr toyoda do not crossthread anything.

[kneedownnate]

and make sure for the love of  Mr toyoda do not crossthread anything.

Hey, somebody said it right! 

[olemisstoy88]

Its almost as economical for me to buy a rebuilt head. I already have a metal timing kit and new water pump. I think my cam maybe worn. plus when I changed my header two studs came out with the treads from the head.

[olemisstoy88]

I did it today!!!! It was pretty straight forward. Thanks for the tips on here guys!  the hardest part was getting my engine cage back together. It took 4 guys and a girl and a come-along, hammer, crowbar, grunting and cussing to push/pull the bar back in place.
When I drove out of the driveway i heard a sound like cracking welds comming from the front of the truck. I am gonna check it tomorrow.

[olemisstoy88]

ended up costing 2 pizzas ($12) 48 wings ($18) and 2 suitcases of budweiser ($22). pretty good. I had to feed 5 people but it was worth it.

[unclejpl4x4]

sweet glad it worked out for u

[kneedownnate]

Cool, any updates on the cracking sounds though?

[olemisstoy88]

Yeah the welds on the shock cage mounts on the frame cracked, so we rewelded them. only cracked on the left side. all good now.

[79coyotefrg]

I did it today!!!! It was pretty straight forward. Thanks for the tips on here guys!  the hardest part was getting my engine cage back together. It took 4 guys and a girl and a come-along, hammer, crowbar, grunting and cussing to push/pull the bar back in place.
When I drove out of the driveway i heard a sound like cracking welds comming from the front of the truck. I am gonna check it tomorrow.

   engine cage

[olemisstoy88]

left

[olemisstoy88]

.

[olemisstoy88]

.

[79coyotefrg]

  i forgot you jump your truck 

[olemisstoy88]

its like a giant anti sway bar. but it stiffens the shock mounts and the frame making them one piece

[olemisstoy88]

it helps out on the trail too. :]

[79coyotefrg]

yea  i knew when i saw it,  just couldnt think

where are you in old miss,  i'll be seeing my ex tomorrow at my stepdaughters graduation  maybe she could bring the stuff to ya