Head freeze plug turns into head gasket replacement (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter zapatius
- Start date
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Wow.....that thing looks terrible. You have your work cut out for you.
- Thread starter
- #25
Yes, glad I'm doing the head gasket before a failure. Well, no one is ever "glad" to do a head gasket, but you know what I mean.
Know exactly what you mean.
I guess I am shocked to see how 'blocked' so many of those passages are. I'm sure you were too.
I known you'll get it all cleaned up and properly sorted out though.
Great pics.
- Thread starter
- #27
Thanks! I am thinking part of the issue is that it was converted from green to red by PO. I have changed the coolant probably 6 times in 5 years and still saw silt. Still shocked at how clogged it was though.
Probably a dumb question but I've always thought that decking the head was only needed if the gasket went or there was suspicion of warpage, or is there just no way to get it off with out it not being completely flat in the end?
- Thread starter
- #29
I'm hoping it doesn't have to be decked. I don't suspect warpage. I am taking it to get the typical head work done and have it checked out.
There is definitely an imprint from the gasket on the block. I'm not trying to smooth it out completely, just clean off the residue and clean out the channels.
There is definitely an imprint from the gasket on the block. I'm not trying to smooth it out completely, just clean off the residue and clean out the channels.
It won't ever be completely clean, there will be 'small' pits, stains, imprints. The OEM head gasket will easily seal these (provided your deck surface is not extreme).
Mine looked like this after cleaning:
Buy a NEW Toyota head and take all the valves and parts from your old head to install on it.
- Thread starter
- #33
I have considered that, but $1500+ is a little tough before seeing what else might be out there. I am thankful that's an option.
Bummer. Just keeps getting worse and worse.
- Thread starter
- #35
Yes. Trying to stay positive by thinking it forced me to dive into the head gasket replacement. Also lots of new parts that will last for years.
- Thread starter
- #36
Still working on everything - you all know how any project turns into 1000 "while you're in there" items.
Here's list of what I've done to-date:
Original head was cracked. Got another one - had one spot that had to be fluxed. Can't even see it. Everything else checked out great, valve job with new seals.
Got the gasket kit to replace a lot of things I had just done
Sourced like-new exhaust manifolds. Removed rough edges and used KBS hi-temp zinc silicon primer for rust resistance
New Toyota exhaust manifold heat shields
Removed rear heat and new heater valve
Got a '95-'97 coolant pipe to straighten out bend since I already removed PAIR
Since I run a CAI, I got the Delta washer bottle relocation kit. Also replaced washer pump and diverter valve
New OE starter
New OE alternator
New OE water pump
New oil cooler
New distributor (mine had leaking internal seal - not external o-ring), cap, rotor, plugs and wires
Cleaned all aluminum and used corrosion resistant treatment
Replaced aluminum coolant pipes and o-rings and new OE thermostat
Sent off injectors to Mr Injector - all came back cleaned and clear bill of health (and only broke one connector)
New OE fuel pressure regulator
Had already replaced all the hoses under the intake manifold
Cleaned and treated upper and lower intake manifolds (considering clear coating with KBS Diamond Clear)
Replaced power steering cooler with dual pass finned aluminum cooler (USA made Racing Power Company), replaced hoses and new OE reservoir
Wrapped A/C line by exhaust and main harness at firewall with Heatshield Products lava tube.
New hood supports
New mil-spec battery terminals
Replaced virtually all hardware that came off with new
Of course, new belts
I had already done the fuel filter, PHH, PHH Neighbor and HuddExpo EGR disable in the month before the catastrophe. I cleaned a lot and put some 6M1 bling on the valve cover. Hoping to start re-assembling this weekend.
Here's list of what I've done to-date:
Original head was cracked. Got another one - had one spot that had to be fluxed. Can't even see it. Everything else checked out great, valve job with new seals.
Got the gasket kit to replace a lot of things I had just done
Sourced like-new exhaust manifolds. Removed rough edges and used KBS hi-temp zinc silicon primer for rust resistance
New Toyota exhaust manifold heat shields
Removed rear heat and new heater valve
Got a '95-'97 coolant pipe to straighten out bend since I already removed PAIR
Since I run a CAI, I got the Delta washer bottle relocation kit. Also replaced washer pump and diverter valve
New OE starter
New OE alternator
New OE water pump
New oil cooler
New distributor (mine had leaking internal seal - not external o-ring), cap, rotor, plugs and wires
Cleaned all aluminum and used corrosion resistant treatment
Replaced aluminum coolant pipes and o-rings and new OE thermostat
Sent off injectors to Mr Injector - all came back cleaned and clear bill of health (and only broke one connector)
New OE fuel pressure regulator
Had already replaced all the hoses under the intake manifold
Cleaned and treated upper and lower intake manifolds (considering clear coating with KBS Diamond Clear)
Replaced power steering cooler with dual pass finned aluminum cooler (USA made Racing Power Company), replaced hoses and new OE reservoir
Wrapped A/C line by exhaust and main harness at firewall with Heatshield Products lava tube.
New hood supports
New mil-spec battery terminals
Replaced virtually all hardware that came off with new
Of course, new belts
I had already done the fuel filter, PHH, PHH Neighbor and HuddExpo EGR disable in the month before the catastrophe. I cleaned a lot and put some 6M1 bling on the valve cover. Hoping to start re-assembling this weekend.
