hg repair done! mechanic endorsement

[ronin-0707]

Almost exactly one month from the blown hg event, the cruiser is back in action.
A patient's Dad of mine who is a master mechanic did the repair, with me doing the scutt-work. I had a great time learning-I can replace my spark plugs, belts, replace a thermostat, water pump, alternator brushes and change my own oil now!
I would implore anyone with a blown hg to just do the repair- even better with someone who is willing to teach you.
I was a 1/2 guy but I would say the hg can be done by most.

Thanks again Doug for the DVD. CruiserDan for the parts.
My mechanic Brian who did an excellent job and allowed me to participate and taught along the way!
I am wholly endorsing Brian to anyone in the Southern CA area for any work needed on your car-he is in no way intimidated by a hg repair and in fact enjoys wrenchin.
Give me a pm for his contact details.
Here are my obligatory pics!

 

[ronin-0707]

couple more pics

One pic I don't have is the head back from the machine shop-oh so shiny. I had to use Brian's camera, once he emails it I will post it too.
Oh yeah let me just say the price of the repair was more than reasonable. Much less than some of the prices recently quoted!
Yota-master's did a recent hg repair for around $2600-speaking with Jay. I was going to have them do it, but they had too much on their plate this past month.
TLC in Van Nuys estimated $3500.

Last two pics for now.

 

[tres0422]

Was your HG blow or was this preventative?

 

[ronin-0707]

My headgasket blew at 173,000 miles luckily just after a 300 mile trip from mammoth.
The cruiser did not overheat, upon returning from the trip it started to idle roughly and later in the night the tail pipe was smoking white.

 

[chford]

Total Cost?

Congrats on making this repair! Sounds like you and I share the same skill level. Might have to undertake this myself...preventive maintenance if you will. How much $ did you have to put into it?

 

[Brentbba]

In what general area is this mechanic?

 

[Mlachica]

My headgasket blew at 173,000 miles luckily just after a 300 mile trip from mammoth.

Did you go to Laurel Lakes?

 

[Cj80cruiser]

By Idle roughly you mean?

 

[ronin-0707]

wow...o.k.
total cost about $1650
broken down:
labor for about 18 hrs $800
parts from cdan hg/grind valve kit, alt brushes, water pump and other misc. o rings $360
machine shop-resurfaced head, valve seals and valve job $480

the mechanic is in chino but will soon be moving to rialto

pm for his phone number

no, didn't make it to laurel lakes, but will try on memorial weekend

idle roughly-like the car was misfiring and later as we drove it to the street it had a shimmy with puffs of white smoke from the tail pipe

Brian the mechanic is a great guy...he's labor rate was very reasonable.

edit maybe $80 more for spark plugs, oil, coolant, thermostat, oil filter, belts etc.