[LostWater]

My thermostat has been failed for a while and my cruiser have never warmed up enough for me to have any heat.

All of a sudden, the cruiser is getting warmer - 2/3, and won't stay running. When I restart it, I get white smoke out of the pipe. When I drive it down the road, I look out the rear view and don't notice smoke.

So if my headgasket is blown, is a job I can do myself and if so, how long will it take?

My cruiser is a 78 FJ40, Holley carb, aftermarket header so no emissions crap to deal with.

How many bolts and what torque when I put them back on.

Then, I get the head shaved true, right?

Will I need some kind of shop crane to lift the head off the block?

Any help would be MOST appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark
Roanoke, VA

[Texx]

You won't need a crane, just be a strong guy or have a friend to help. You want to send your head to a machine shop to have it checked (magnaflux) for cracks, and will want to check the valve sealing. If all the valves are in good shape, and it checks fine for cracks, you're ready to go back together. If it needs valves, I would definitely hone the cylinders and re-ring the pistons, otherwise the new valve work will suck oil past the old rings. All this can be done with the engine in frame. You'll need a quality OEM or aftermarket service manual that describes the process and gives torque settings. Haynes is fine if you can't get OEM Toyota. The job itself could probably be done in a day, but it won't be because of sending the head out. I wouldn't undertake this job without the manual. Be sure you put the head gasket on the right way...as far as bolts, there are plenty!

[1973Guppie]

I did this awhile back on an F engine, sent the head out and have the valves all redone, with the fresh head, took me a day total, easy job really, just watch how everything comes off, a digital camera is a good tool to record everything, made a big difference in the performance when I did mine.

Noah