Replacing Head Gaskets

I had been noticing that when my truck sits for more than 2 days the next time I start it up it blows smoke for a couple min and smells of antifreeze. So I took out the spark plugs and sent a bore cam into the cylinders and found cylinder 3 had about an ounce of coolant in it and all the usual signs of coolant being burnt in the cylinder. So I'm off work for a few weeks cause of covid, and will be tearing down to replace the head gaskets and check the heads. I'm also going to replace spark plugs, timing belt, and water pump while I'm at it. But are there any other recommended preventative maintenance things I could do while its torn down apart from cleaning. Or maybe upgrades to the engine or exhaust. Also should I send the heads out for a valve job/refinish even if the heads seem fine? Would like recommendations/Tips from anyone else that has done it before.

 

I'd get a good Aisin Kit that has the water pump, timing belt, idler pulleys, ect. Also look at replacing the fan bearing, and new belts. How many miles are on the engine. You might also want to take a good look at your radiator. I can't believe that Toyota used plastic in making a radiator, and I know that they will fail at some time. I just dinged up my fins on my radiator when I replaced my fan bearing, stupid me. It all boils down to how much money do you want to spend, and how many miles are on the engine. Definitely have a machine shop check the heads for being level with no warp. I'd also suggest buying new head bolts. Hope this helps some. Good luck.

 

The truck has 247k on it about 40k of it is mine. The timing belt kit i bought has all that as well which is nice. As far as how much money id say definitely not more than another 3-400 unless its something that i really should be looking to replace sooner rather than later.

 

when I did mine, I bought two refurbished, complete heads from eBay to save on down time. For 2 complete heads it was $650 shipped to my door. Worth it in my opinion and they even pre-paid return shipping for the cores. They came decked already and all I had to do was clean and check the block tolerances with a precision straight edge. All the tolerances were good so I was able to just bolt everything on when the heads arrived.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/140735548452

new, quality head bolts are a must since they are stretch bolts. They’re not meant to be reused.

one thing a lot of people sometime forget to mention is to buy a new knock sensor wiring harness as the wiring and plastic connectors get brittle from the heat of the engine. It’s cheap insurance. You can replace the knock sensors if you want or swap to the GM ones, but I don’t think it’s really necessary.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/221858180054

If you ever had the thought of adding headers... now’s the time if it’s within the budget.

if time permits, I’d send off the injectors to get professionally cleaned. I hear it’s a decently quick turnaround time.

 

I would do injectors (contact Motorwest Performance, should be able to front you some so you aren't waiting for them to refurb yours), valve cover gaskets, camshaft seals, half moons, check valve clearance if you aren't replacing heads. I would definitely do the knock sensor harness, and be ready to replace bad connectors and wire looms. From experience, I would say to purchase the 2 hoses that feed coolant to the IAC Valve (get OEM, they are pre-formed). I would also get upper/lower radiator hoses, possibly clamps. You will also need 2 plenum gaskets, 2 intake manifold gaskets, an IAC gasket, a throttle body gasket, and 6 crush washers for the fuel rail banjo bolts (Motorwest sells them now). You probably know you will need new exhaust manifold gaskets, studs, etc. Almost certainly want to replace the radiator and fan bracket/bearing. Expect some crispy vacuum lines that will need replacement, the usual stuff when you take everything out.

That's everything I can think of quickly, I'm sure more will chime in.