Thoughts on next steps for my head...

So I have now got the head of my engine off, not because of a gasket leak or any of the usual reasons but because the sparkplug for my second cylinder popped itself out somehow, the shop I took it too couldn't figure out how to re-thread and put an insert in (and I think drilled out too much?) and then I couldn't get it re-threaded on the truck either so took the head off (very carefully and following factory manual directions on bolt orders etc.) planning to either replace the head or try and re-thread from the bottom with more ability to see what the fuck is going on and/or take it to a machinist to get them to clean it up.

Curious if anyone has experience/opinions on which way to go with this. Buy a new/rebuilt head or get the current one repaired/checked for warping etc.? It's a 2001 2.7 L

Thanks!

 

Is the shop going to compensate you for fucking up the thread?

If they do you can always get a new head and kit. Easiest way to do it.

if you have a local machine shops that knows its stuff then go that route.

 

Take it off
Bring it to a machine shop. If they can’t put an insert in they will tell ya. I’m sure it will happen, but get it surfaced, won’t be much more

I think the last 4 cylinder head I brought in was $300? For a surface and removing the stuck (broken) plug and throwing in a helicoil

post where ya at, maybe someone has a suggestion for a shop

 

If they drilled it out too much to get an insert in, it’s going to be hard to fix.
You’d have to go to the next size up and see if there is an M14 plug thread in that size.

A good machine shop would be my best advice. A good shop will tell you if it can be fixed. And if it’s even reasonable to fix it.

At this point, a new or used head might be a better option.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I took it to a shop that was recommended and they were really nice. Took a look and messed around with it briefly. The guy said he could fix it but that it wouldn't be a long term fix so especially for the amount of labor involved he suggested just getting a new one or a gently used one that could be fixed up. I think I'm leaning towards a new one.

The shop is not compensating. I'm kinda just focusing my energy on trying to get my truck running and don't feel like arguing with someone about who's fault.

Next step on my journey - buying a head gasket. I found one on the toyota website which is $150. Painful price but most places I read folks say to go with an actual toyota head gasket but that off-brands are ok for everything else? Thoughts?

 

Good advice. I had a damaged head redone for my daughters Camry. Something similar and roughly the same price.