Tools for Head Gasket Job

Any recommendations for tools other than your ratches, wrenches etc.. to tackle a head gasket leak? Also any trusted sites to buy all the head gaskets and bolts etc.. to do the job?

 

I bought the Toyota kit with all the gaskets included. No regrets.


Some sort of razor blade scraping tool for cleaning the block is good - keep the blade perpendicular to the block and scrape away. Do not use anything abrasive, especially the kind that break apart and leave abrasives in your engine.

 

Wish I had bought 10yrs ago
Really helpful

 

what motor? 3rz or 5vz?

 

Sorry I forgot to mention, it's a 3.4l v6 and it's a 2002.

 

Pulley holder/ crank holder:

Harmonic Damper Pulley Holding Tool & Crankshaft Pulley Holder for Toyota Tacoma Nissan Camry etc.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y7VT7KN

25” breaker bar

Bent nose pliers like @ControlCar mentioned are always great to have

Torque wrench, personal or rental. I used my personal for 99% but had to rent a bigger one that goes to 250 ft lbs for the crank bolt.

A nice impact wrench is worth every dollar, if you can get one in the $200 range I think that’s the sweet spot. My DCF891 got the crank bolt out instantly.

No spill coolant funnel for refilling radiator.

Flare nut wrenches for the fuel lines are essential

Gasket scrapper, razor scrapper

YotaShop for the gasket kit, make sure you get the MLS gaskets. I’d get the kit not just the head gasket, as it’s good practice to replace every gasket you remove (there are quite a few)

You’ll want to replace the head studs and crank bolt as well as they are torque to yield. Crank bolt from dealer, head studs from YotaShop

Jaw pullers for harmonic balancer, I used a 3 pack of assorted sizes from harbor freight and they got the job done.

Paint pen or a torque angle finder as the head bolts are turned like 180d past a torque spec. Don’t quote me on any exact specs here of course.

While you’re in there definitely replace the timing belt and water pump.

If you’d like it would also be a good time to replace the fuel injectors.

Replace the knock sensor harness as the heat inside the engine valley will have made it incredibly brittle, it will likely fall apart in your hands as you remove it. It’s cheap.

Good time to replace the knock sensors too but they are pricey. I didn’t bother with them but I will definitely regret that if they go out anytime soon.

 

I used oem everything, i figured if it lasted 250,000 miles it should last me the rest of the life of the truck.

Here are some of the parts I purchased for a 3rzfe




$20 E-cowlboy Universal Wrench Camshaft Injection Pump Cam Pulley Holder Sprocket Holding Tool for Honda & Toyota
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q1KPDP2/?coliid=I29ZW6OPRVYKX&colid=1B693N0897FVO




$25 Orion Motor Tech Gear Puller Set, 3" 4" 6" 3 Jaw Puller Kit for Pulley Gear Bearing Flywheel Removal, Heavy Duty Pulley Puller with Reversible Jaws 3 pcs Bearing Puller Tool Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084SXLVK4/?coliid=I1JPFXACJPOYHI&colid=1B693N0897FVO&th=1

$11 Toyota Genuine Oil Pump Seal

$15 Performance Tool M205 1/2" Torque Angle Gauge Tool, 360 Degree Angle Scale

$14 Performance Tool M205 1/2" Torque Angle Gauge Tool, 360 Degree Angle Scale
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004O7WCW4/?coliid=I3TXMDLBNJYU7J&colid=1B693N0897FVO&th=1

$12 OEMTOOLS 25501 Automotive Gasket Scraper, Rust, Residue And Buildup Cleaning Blade Scraper Tool, 10.5" Extended Reach Handle

$10 OEMTOOLS 25501 Automotive Gasket Scraper, Rust, Residue And Buildup Cleaning Blade Scraper Tool, 10.5" Extended Reach Handle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FEJIKA/?coliid=I2OVRV64Z84TE4&colid=1B693N0897FVO&th=1

$35 24" Anodized Aluminum Straight Edge Guaranteed Straight to Within .001"es Over Full 24"es Length SE24

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017CFWP58?ie=UTF8



I usually use Sparks parts, they have the best shipping price to me. But the other two listed go back and forth on occasion with prices. When Sparks shipped my headgasket, they didnt do a great job packaging it, and the head gasket arrived bent in half. I was pretty heated when I called them, they were much nicer to me then they should have over the phone to a dick customer (me) and 2 day shipped me a new one without hassle. They got my business from here on out.

https://toyotaparts.ourismantoyotao...tiziJTaxmD0tNUCuB1Ly3eEOsE3ByBK0aAsepEALw_wcB

https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/?...3P5nzG-rP05BzTcgu__V6g2FoVg9Z1hoaArWTEALw_wcB

https://www.sparksparts.com/?gad_so...vEve0VWL6Gi9WeQR_4IEGtpA0_7x8jbIaAggAEALw_wcB


Your aftermarket options are here: They have both oem and aftermarket. They don't sell junk, so anything on their websites are generally pretty safe!

https://www.lceperformance.com/category-s/18301.htm
and
https://209yota1.com/cart/



The following is a order list of parts i ordered for the 2.7 4cyl 3rzfe, but you get an idea of what parts i used while in there. I also did my fuel filter and water pump replacement.
90179-10175 Nut 6
90910-A2023 Bolt 10
90919-01164 Spark Plug 4
22271-75020 Fuel Injection Throttle Body Mounting Gasket 1
90301-19006 Fuel Injection Nozzle Holder O-Ring 4
90116-08328 Bolt Stud 2
90116-10163 Bolt Stud 3
90915-YZZD1 Genuine Toyota Oil Filter 1
00295-00103 Engine Sealant 1
90561-10018 Fuel Injection Nozzle Holder 4
23300-79446 Fuel Filter 1
04112-75190 Engine Cylinder Head Gasket Set 1
16100-79445 Water Pump and Gasket

 

Excellent lists woad/time!!!!!!