Head gasket replacement 1996 FJZ80

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

H

HappyJack

Joined
Apr 16, 2023
Threads
3
Messages
8
Location
Austin, TX
Hello all!

My head gasket failed this week. I’m in Austin, Texas. Can anyone recommend a shop to replace the head gasket?

275,000 miles
Bone stock all around.
 
HappyJack said:
Hello all!

My head gasket failed this week. I’m in Austin, Texas. Can anyone recommend a shop to replace the head gasket?

275,000 miles
Bone stock all around.
Click to expand...

Landcruiser Specialist in Austin . They saved me a ton of money, thought I needed a rear main seal job done, instead of taking my money they cleaned the engine and told me to keep an eye on it if it was still leaking to let them know. The owner seemed genuinely friendly and seemed to dig my ride telling me do not sell my ride; anything can be fixed.​

 
Thank you! I just bought the LC a few months ago. I tested the cylinder pressure- it was fine 160s. I’m not sure if I should go ahead and replace the gasket or get a rebuilt engine.

Any suggestions?
 
Depends on how big your wallet is. A rebuilt engine is better than a used one, but much more expensive than a headgasket replacement.

Understand that it's unlikely you have a flat head and that it will require machining to flatten the lower face, prior to installation of the headgakset. The head has to be disassembled to do this, because there is no practical way to keep debris out of the valve area during machining. The machining may also require new valve seat cutting; you just don't know until you take it off and measure it.

For these reasons, most people would recommend at least new valve seals, because the valves have to come out to replace them, and you have them out at this point. Reputable machine shops won't reinstall old valves without reseating them. If you're on a really tight budget, it can be done, but it's not a lot of extra money, compared to the overall repair price.

So, in addition to labor to remove the head (minimally), you will have to add labor to disassemble and clean the head, labor to machine the head and grind the valves and their seats, and labor to reassemble the head, with new valve seals (included in the price and marked up), plus head reinstallation labor cost. In a high dollar market like Austin, that will absolutely run several thousand dollars.

A rebuilt engine (again, in Austin, many thousands of dollars) isn't going to have any of that (I consider a "rebuilt" engine the lower end only), so you still have t address either your head or a used one (and you wouldn't put a used head on a rebuilt block, would you?). If you can find a rebuilt engine, machined top to bottom, built with new wear parts all around, for less than the head machining cost, buy it. The installation cost of replacing the engine vs. the head would pay for itself in longevity over the next 30 years.
 
You're sure that the headgasket is bad, right? Is there any likelihood of engine damage from when it went out?
 
Malleus said:
Depends on how big your wallet is. A rebuilt engine is better than a used one, but much more expensive than a headgasket replacement.

Understand that it's unlikely you have a flat head and that it will require machining to flatten the lower face, prior to installation of the headgakset. The head has to be disassembled to do this, because there is no practical way to keep debris out of the valve area during machining. The machining may also require new valve seat cutting; you just don't know until you take it off and measure it.

For these reasons, most people would recommend at least new valve seals, because the valves have to come out to replace them, and you have them out at this point. Reputable machine shops won't reinstall old valves without reseating them. If you're on a really tight budget, it can be done, but it's not a lot of extra money, compared to the overall repair price.

So, in addition to labor to remove the head (minimally), you will have to add labor to disassemble and clean the head, labor to machine the head and grind the valves and their seats, and labor to reassemble the head, with new valve seals (included in the price and marked up), plus head reinstallation labor cost. In a high dollar market like Austin, that will absolutely run several thousand dollars.

A rebuilt engine (again, in Austin, many thousands of dollars) isn't going to have any of that (I consider a "rebuilt" engine the lower end only), so you still have t address either your head or a used one (and you wouldn't put a used head on a rebuilt block, would you?). If you can find a rebuilt engine, machined top to bottom, built with new wear parts all around, for less than the head machining cost, buy it. The installation cost of replacing the engine vs. the head would pay for itself in longevity over the next 30 years.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I have a few weeks before I start. I will look around for alternatives.
 
ozarkmud said:
You're sure that the headgasket is bad, right? Is there any likelihood of engine damage from when it went out?
Click to expand...
At 275k miles Ian inclined to replace the entire engine - used or rebuilt. This is definitely a budget buster for me. I know there are crazy expensive swaps out there but I would like to keep everything serviceable.
 
HappyJack said:
At 275k miles Ian inclined to replace the entire engine - used or rebuilt. This is definitely a budget buster for me. I know there are crazy expensive swaps out there but I would like to keep everything serviceable.
Click to expand...
This is why mechanics who have potential customers with old Land Cruisers just see $$$. I'm not saying to avoid mechanics but you definitely better have a fat wallet if you plan to visit them with a Land Cruiser (or vintage Land Rover, or Porsche, or Mercedes, or .....)
 
Last edited:
275k isn't that much. Mine went out at about 315k. Replaced and moved on. Just turned 340k and I'd still jump in, drive an hour or 2 to wheel it for a weekend and then trust it would get me back home. Rear main leaks a little now but just watch the oil level and good to go.
 
I agree with @ozarkmud, 275k is only halfway to rebuild mileage.
 
cvenom96 said:
275k isn't that much. Mine went out at about 315k. Replaced and moved on. Just turned 340k and I'd still jump in, drive an hour or 2 to wheel it for a weekend and then trust it would get me back home. Rear main leaks a little now but just watch the oil level and good to go.
Click to expand...

Same here. My HG went at 316K and I'm a bit over 340K now with the same lower end. Still had cross-hatching in the all the cylinders. And compression is a solid 190 psi across all cylinders. Wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere.

Compression 316K.webp
 
@CenTXFJ60 is another great resource to get your HG done near you.
 
ceylonfj40nut said:
@CenTXFJ60 is another great resource to get your HG done near you.
Click to expand...
Glad to help you navigate this. If I can't help directly, I can provide some good options in the marketplace as many folks in our area will. My cell is 713-805-3962. Live about 30 miles west of San Marcos. Thanks. Jimmy
 
That's real service!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom