FZJ80 headgasket

[jmvar]

Hi guys, does anyone have a mechanic they have used for a headgasket job on an 80?

I am still debating whever I will do this myself or send it out. Figured I should check with you guys and see if you have any recomendations. I live in Germantown MD but will travel for a trusted and experienced reference.

Hope this hasn't been covered, searched and didn't find anything.

TIA

[Blue77FJ40]

jmvar, you can see how Jester did his head here, to get an idea what's involved.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/85603-cracked-oil-pan-go-along-my-warped-head.html

[76FJ40]

I had my wife's 80 done at Waterloo in Warrenton, VA. The mechanic who did hers is no longer there but John Kenecht is and I'd trust him to do the job right. Not cheap, however.

[Riad]

I am going to be doing mine, on my own.

I am eagerly waiting for it to blow.

[Blue77FJ40]

Way to go, Riad. Time for you to come out into the sun!! Maybe Jester will let you borrow his valve train components board.

[Cruiserhead05]

A local shop in warrenton did mine at 210k miles.

Im at 286k now with no issues.

[Riad]

Originally Posted by Blue77FJ40

Way to go, Riad. Time for you to come out into the sun!! Maybe Jester will let you borrow his valve train components board.

I'm gonna do the way Doug did, basically number them with marker and put them in a clean plastic lunch container. I don't need no stinkin valve train components board

[76FJ40]

Brandon,

Did Waterloo do your HG? If so, do you know which mechanic?

[jmvar]

Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

Did any of you guys that had your headgaskets done have a machine shop check out your head? If so which one? (not which head, which machine shop)

[Cruiserhead05]

Bob,

Didnt take it to waterloo.

I've had Joe's Service do some work on the 80 in the past. I think they are more of a domestic type of place but the people are genuine and i never once felt like someone was bending me over.

[Riad]

Originally Posted by jmvar

Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

Did any of you guys that had your headgaskets done have a machine shop check out your head? If so which one? (not which head, which machine shop)

jmvar,

There are number of machine shops in Frederick (search on yellow book or googgle). You can take your head unit to any one of them and they should be able to check it for you. Also, if you want, you can get/collect the real spec of the head unit from CDAN or an FSM then take it to any of the machine shops in Frederick. In case the machine shop does not have the spec for an 80's head unit. I had one of the machine shops in Frederick do some work for me couple years ago. I think it was on Patrick street or Market street, can't remember. Give any one of'em a call and see what they say.

[jmvar]

Frederick=good moutainbiking, thanks for the lead. If I do it myself I will use these guys.

What about Rockville Ring and Pinion? My mechanic says they have been around forever and that's who he uses.

Still trying to decide if I will do this myself, I think what will dictate it is if this animal fits in my garage with some space around it to be able to work....damn townhouse .75 car garages.....

[Riad]

Yeah, definitely good mountain biking. I have been to gambrill few times. Lately I have been more lazy then any thing else. The bike is hanging down in the basement, for almost a year now. I think I'm gonna pick it up and start going to shafers firm road ASAP. I coudn't do gambrill until I can at least get the shafers firm trail done/mastered.

Yeah keep us posted on your HG. I know Rockville has some machine shops but I don't have any experience with any of them. I did call couple shops when I needed couple years ago. Both of them told me they were very busy and couldn't do mine. I needed to shave a dana60 housing. Thus I ended up at Frederick.

[Blue77FJ40]

Dale and I have had good luck with Burtonsville Machine shop. He had his head done there and recommended it to me. I wasn't disappointed. Only thing though, when they had my head, I forgot to ask them to tap the plugged oil galley hole over piston #5. Hopefully, it will never leak.

[jmvar]

Originally Posted by Riad

Yeah, definitely good mountain biking. I have been to gambrill few times. Lately I have been more lazy then any thing else. The bike is hanging down in the basement, for almost a year now. I think I'm gonna pick it up and start going to shafers firm road ASAP. I coudn't do gambrill until I can at least get the shafers firm trail done/mastered.

Yeah keep us posted on your HG. I know Rockville has some machine shops but I don't have any experience with any of them. I did call couple shops when I needed couple years ago. Both of them told me they were very busy and couldn't do mine. I needed to shave a dana60 housing. Thus I ended up at Frederick.

Whenever you want to hit up Schaffer let me know, I live very close and ride my bike to the trail head for an after work ride a couple times a week during the summer. I am pretty sure it is closed right now but will probably open soon. Another nice scenic loop is Seneca State park, around the lake. Not too hard, pretty flat and nice view of the lake.

[Riad]

Yeah I know the Schaffer firm is closed now. Sure, I will let you know when I am ready to hit the trail. I have been to Seneca State Park too, few times. Nice sceneic ride around the lake. Took my son there few times.

But first I need to take out my bike and get it ready for the trail.