Remanufactured heads or thicker head gasket?

So I am rebuilding an 05 1grfe for my tacoma. There was a lot of corrosion from the coolant on the cylinder heads, so using a sanding block I carefully did a couple passes on the sand paper just to remove the corrosion. I fear I may have taken too much off the cylinder head material on accident, as I found out these heads cannot be shaved or else there will be timing issues. Well, sure enough I go to time the engine and the left side cams are slightly retarded.The right side is spot on. At this point, I am in a hurry to finish it for the summer, but I want to do it right I know I can get oversized head gaskets, but I have no clue how much material I took off.

There is a company selling a remanufactured head set for around 1400, (very expensive but includes cams valves ect, while one head from Toyota bare is 1200) but the seller said they took off 10 thousand off the head, so if I went that route, what size head gasket would I need to get? I have bad luck finding a 10 thou head gasket oversized. The seller said I can use the stock head gasket but i'm not sure if they are familiar with these engines.

I guess my last option would be to put it all together and have a roughish idle and a code. Not sure what route I should go, any input would be greatly appreciated. Ive researched the crap out of this page, and have found many people with the same issues, especially this one thread, but not a lot of conclusions.

I'll include the link to the remanufactured heads.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2834270536...96&osub=-1~1&crd=20230413133230&segname=11051


Thanks in advanced!!

 

You probably would have been better off having the head milled .010”- .030”
Then running a custom gasket. Cosmetic makes them in .010, .030, and .060 I think.
@Torspd would probably be the guy to know.

At this point, you’ve already installed the heads.
At a minimum you’re looking at a new set of head bolts and a gasket for the one head.
I’d look for a machine shop and have them go to the lowest depth .010 if possible.
Buy a new gasket (they sell them individually) and save some money.
Then again, who knows what the rate for milling a head is now days. $1,400 might not be “too bad”?

 

You're less than a degree out...finish putting it together. You're not gonna have any issues related to cam timing

 

I would run it as is. I dont think you will get a code
I had my heads milled in a shop and had a slight mismatch and it runs fine.
I only notice if I bog the engine It takes a bit more time to recover rpm than before
Like trying to take off in 2nd gear or something.
Under normal driving no problems

 

This is the answer I was hoping for, worst case scenario I can replace it down the line, But as I mentioned I am in a hurry to get this thing back together before the summer. I really appreciate the input guys, I will keep you guys updated!

 

It looks fine to me. I can't see you taking too much off with sandpaper unless you really went after it aggressively. As you said a "couple passes on the sand paper just to remove the corrosion".