1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Replacing Water Pump and Rebuilding Head - QUESTIONS!

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by SmogSUX, Jul 19, 2016.

  1. Jul 19, 2016 at 1:13 PM
    #1
    SmogSUX

    SmogSUX [OP] No Money. No Love.

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2012
    Member:
    #76654
    Messages:
    306
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    96 Tacoma Manual 2.7L 4x4
    Wheelers 5-Pack w/ AAL, ToyTec 1" Shackles, 10" 5125's, 5100's w/ ToyTech Springs, Braided Steel Brake Lines, AFE Filter, BAMF Sliders
    I'm having the head rebuilt on my Tacoma soon, so I was going to do the water pump, thermostat, and front main seal (FMS is seeping a small amount). The truck is a 1996 4x4 with a 2.7L 3RZ with 220K.

    My questions are this:

    Should I buy all of the gaskets needed separately through Toyota or should I buy a full kit from Ebay/Amazon? (I'm buying OEM head gasket and OEM head bolts)

    Should I buy the OEM water pump or are the off brands good? (I'm buying OEM thermostat)
    I saw that OEM is around $125, whereas I can get AISIN for $46 (Isn't OEM AISIN brand?)

    Does the machine shop usually adjust the valves for me when they rebuild the head? The whole reason I have to have it rebuilt is because I burnt an exhaust valve (220k and they were never adjusted) on 1, maybe 2 cylinders. I tested and got 175-75-150-170 compression, added oil to the lower compression cylinders and they didn't go up.

    Are there any other items I should address while I pull the head? The goal is to pull the head on a weekend, drop it off at the machine shop on a Monday and hope they finish it by Friday so I can reinstall the head the following weekend.

    I've replaced the head gasket on a few vehicles without an issue (always dropped the head off for machining), so I don't think I will run into any real issues.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #1
  2. Jul 19, 2016 at 1:17 PM
    #2
    Bxnanaz

    Bxnanaz Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2016
    Member:
    #178003
    Messages:
    379
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Tacoma TRDOR 6MT
    How do you know that the headgasket isn't the cause of your low compression?
     
  3. Jul 19, 2016 at 1:38 PM
    #3
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2014
    Member:
    #141019
    Messages:
    774
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    2004 Double Cab TRD 4x4 Limited
    Magnuson Kompressor, OME lift kit, JBA Headers, junky Sony radio.
    My questions are this:

    Should I buy all of the gaskets needed separately through Toyota or should I buy a full kit from Ebay/Amazon? (I'm buying OEM head gasket and OEM head bolts)

    If it is a quality brand like Fel-Pro, Victor-Renz......by the kit.

    Should I buy the OEM water pump or are the off brands good? (I'm buying OEM thermostat)
    I saw that OEM is around $125, whereas I can get AISIN for $46 (Isn't OEM AISIN brand?)

    Yes AISIN is the OEM brand. Just make sure the stock one and the new one are the same animal.

    Does the machine shop usually adjust the valves for me when they rebuild the head? The whole reason I have to have it rebuilt is because I burnt an exhaust valve (220k and they were never adjusted) on 1, maybe 2 cylinders. I tested and got 175-75-150-170 compression, added oil to the lower compression cylinders and they didn't go up.

    Once your get the head off, Have a valve seat job done on the head and have them resurface the valves.
    You adjust the valves on when the head is back on the engine.


    Are there any other items I should address while I pull the head? The goal is to pull the head on a weekend, drop it off at the machine shop on a Monday and hope they finish it by Friday so I can reinstall the head the following weekend.

    Have the shop check the head to see if is warped. Or you can do it with a straight edge.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #3
  4. Jul 19, 2016 at 1:40 PM
    #4
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2014
    Member:
    #141019
    Messages:
    774
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    2004 Double Cab TRD 4x4 Limited
    Magnuson Kompressor, OME lift kit, JBA Headers, junky Sony radio.
    My questions are this:

    Should I buy all of the gaskets needed separately through Toyota or should I buy a full kit from Ebay/Amazon? (I'm buying OEM head gasket and OEM head bolts)

    If it is a quality brand like Fel-Pro, Victor-Renz......by the kit.

    Should I buy the OEM water pump or are the off brands good? (I'm buying OEM thermostat)
    I saw that OEM is around $125, whereas I can get AISIN for $46 (Isn't OEM AISIN brand?)

    Yes AISIN is the OEM brand. Just make sure the stock one and the new one are the same animal.

    Does the machine shop usually adjust the valves for me when they rebuild the head? The whole reason I have to have it rebuilt is because I burnt an exhaust valve (220k and they were never adjusted) on 1, maybe 2 cylinders. I tested and got 175-75-150-170 compression, added oil to the lower compression cylinders and they didn't go up.

    Once your get the head off, Have a valve seat job done on the head and have them resurface the valves.
    You adjust the valves on when the head is back on the engine.


    Are there any other items I should address while I pull the head? The goal is to pull the head on a weekend, drop it off at the machine shop on a Monday and hope they finish it by Friday so I can reinstall the head the following weekend.

    Have the shop check the head to see if is warped. Or you can do it with a straight edge.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #4
  5. Jul 19, 2016 at 2:54 PM
    #5
    SmogSUX

    SmogSUX [OP] No Money. No Love.

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2012
    Member:
    #76654
    Messages:
    306
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    96 Tacoma Manual 2.7L 4x4
    Wheelers 5-Pack w/ AAL, ToyTec 1" Shackles, 10" 5125's, 5100's w/ ToyTech Springs, Braided Steel Brake Lines, AFE Filter, BAMF Sliders
    I figured that the valves have never been adjusted for the life of the truck (Or at least the last 150k miles) and it's a common issue with the 3RZ. Also I haven't added coolant to the truck in over a year, there's no coolant in my oil or vice versa, no overheating issues, no coolant system pressure issues, etc.

    Thanks! I'm pretty bummed about having to adjust the valves...sounds like a royal pain in the ass.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #5
  6. Jul 20, 2016 at 1:27 PM
    #6
    SmogSUX

    SmogSUX [OP] No Money. No Love.

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2012
    Member:
    #76654
    Messages:
    306
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    96 Tacoma Manual 2.7L 4x4
    Wheelers 5-Pack w/ AAL, ToyTec 1" Shackles, 10" 5125's, 5100's w/ ToyTech Springs, Braided Steel Brake Lines, AFE Filter, BAMF Sliders

    What do you think about this kit:

    http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1949182&cc=1278929&jsn=407

    Then, as I said, buy OEM head gasket and OEM head bolts?
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #6
  7. Jul 20, 2016 at 1:32 PM
    #7
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2014
    Member:
    #141019
    Messages:
    774
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    2004 Double Cab TRD 4x4 Limited
    Magnuson Kompressor, OME lift kit, JBA Headers, junky Sony radio.
    As long as the head gasket is a MLS Multi-layered-Steel you will be ok.
    I would look at ARP bolts if they make them. If not available, then yeah go with OEM.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top