Head gasket replacement on 1996 3.4V6 Tacoma--possible?

OK, I recently had a water pump installed, I think the guy screwed it up becuause the other day, I accidently overheated the motor--blowing the head gasket. I noticed too late that it was overheated and there ya go---dunzo!
Anyways, I took it into a different mechanic and he claims that a new motor is needed---a new head gasket isnt an option--he claims he cannot install one here.
I always thought that if a head gasket was blown, a new one could be installed with a hone or flattening of the head--this would create the seal necessary to fix the problem.
Am I off here, why couldnt it fixed with a new head gasket?
Why do I need a whole new motor?
Would it be possible that the head is so far gone that either a new or rehoned head and/or head gasket would not work?
Thanks for the help!

 

Got a little warm huh? Did you drive it till it just stopped or did you turn it off? In any event unless theres a rod sticking out of the block or the block is cracked I don't know why your guy told you a new motor is required , get those heads magnafluxed, check for cracks,warping(if within limits they can be resurfaced & re installed. Also flush out your engine oil(I'm pretty sure it looks like a milk shake color wise (water in oil) & be prepared to buy a set of lifters. If you had a shop install the water pump they could be liable for some if not all repairs, its their responsibility to let your truck warm up (but not over heat) to check their own work for leaks had they done this they would have noticed overheating & trust me, they would have told you about it to cover their asses at time of payment..good luck..

P.S. I would have a different shop do the work if possible

 

Well, I will let you in on a piece of information I found out first hand while trying to install head gaskets on the same motor. The block of the engine gets warped. Found out from a toyota tech that this was a common problem..if it wasnt warped too bad you could get away with taking a file and filing it back flat...but he told us most of them ended up getting short blocks. Long story short is we had to call it on that truck I was working on as it was just too warped to file back flat (im sure it could have been machined) but too much money had already been put into it for what it was and we ended up selling the truck as is...soo It is very true you may need an engine...overheating these engines is not a good thing..Like I said we put 3 head Gaskets on and 3 different heads all with the same result..water in #3 cylinder...and actually the last head we put on was the worst..my buddy got tired of screwing with it

 

Any head can be shaved, not filed, you may need a thicker gasket to retain the compression ratio. But the question remains....... WHY did it overheat after a new water pump? The shop should be held liable.

 

We had the heads magna fluxed and machined...I am talking about filing the block. I've been working on cars for 11 years professionally and believe me it goes against everything I know to take a bastard file to an engine block..but that's whay the yota tech told us that toyota told the. To do verbaly..nothing was ever published abot it..believe me I hadn't been told by a reliable source to do so I wouldn't thrw it up here to look like a retard.

 

God I'd probably really consider having a shop do a head gasket on a V6. I spent 2 whole days just replacing the timing belt on a V6 Avalon engine. That required removing half the intake. Those Toyota V6 engines are a pain in the ass.

 

I would look into why your motor overheated. The first shop who did your waterpump could be liable. it'll probable be a big hassle but could also save you a lot of money

 

oh and welcome to tacoma world. Where do you live btw. There may be a TW member close by that could help you out.