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New Cylinder Head install

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 03 Mountain goat, Jul 12, 2019.

  1. Jul 12, 2019 at 7:26 AM
    #1
    03 Mountain goat

    03 Mountain goat [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2018
    Member:
    #260129
    Messages:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Hunter
    Vehicle:
    03 Tacoma 4cyl 5spd 2.7L 4WD
    2 inch leveling kit, AAL rear, 3” body lift
    I have my 03 2.7L tacoma torn down to the block and I have a new APR head that i'm installing and a head gasket kit to go with it. the new head came with new cams but it has the distributor gear on it and mine does not have a distributor. I know that you remove it and install a freeze plug. I know basically I need to prep the block to make sure its clean and flat in order for the new head gasket to seal but I have a couple questions before starting this process:
    1. How do I remove the distributor thing that attaches to the distributor
    2. What do I use to install the freeze plug
    3. what do I need to do to the cams when I install them other than make sure they go in the same position as the old ones were
    4. do I need to install shims, worry about the gap of the valves, etc.? what needs to be done to the cylinder head and cam components before and/or after I install it.
     
  2. Jul 12, 2019 at 11:11 PM
    #2
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2016
    Member:
    #200436
    Messages:
    4,997
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    lots to cover so I will just mention the basics. The freeze plug can be installed with a socket that just fits inside the cup and with a 3/8 or 1/2 extension you use that to tap on with a hammer. A little sealant wouldn't hurt either.

    If the cams are brand new make sure that they are adequately lubed, they should have given you a tube of cam break in lube. Change the engine oil and filter and make sure that when you initially fire her up that you can hold the rpms to a minimum of apx 1500 rpms for 15 minutes. The cams and shims have to "break in". If there isn't adequate lubrication in the initial 15 minutes of start up there is a possibility of one or more of the lobes going flat.
     
    03 Mountain goat[OP] likes this.
  3. Jul 13, 2019 at 10:21 AM
    #3
    03 Mountain goat

    03 Mountain goat [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2018
    Member:
    #260129
    Messages:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Hunter
    Vehicle:
    03 Tacoma 4cyl 5spd 2.7L 4WD
    2 inch leveling kit, AAL rear, 3” body lift
    I didn't get a thing of cam break in oil but I did buy one of those pistol grip oil jugs and im going to lube it all up good during the install. I decided to do the oil pump and timing chain while I was in it, i'm now done with the disassembly and starting to put stuff back together. are there any tips and tricks or things that I should look out for? piston is at TDC and all timing marks line up however the chain that runs the balance shafts that has 2 single links painted and one double (2 links) painted, these marks didn't line up significantly with anything but the truck still ran before I tore it down and its at TDC, I think the chain was just put on there. the new chain has these same marks, where do I line them up to? and also, what about the timing chain, I know the sprockets need to be correct but is there a mark on the actual timing chain? if so, where do I need to position it? thanks. I will post pictures when I head back down to the shop
     

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