Looking for a 1FZ head

[Tux318]

Hey guys. I've been a lurker on Mud for 3 or 4 years. I've got a 1996 FZJ80 LC. I'm tired of the blue smoke and constant worry of a HG failure. I'm ready to snatch the head off.
My problem is that I don't have a trustworthy machine shop within two hours. So, I've thought about trying to locate a rebuilt head....thoughts?

 

[Land Speeder]

Welcome to DixieLand! I see the WarEagle sticker in your back glass! Are you in Auburn? Tell us where you are.

I'd first and foremost go rent the block tester if you haven't already:
http://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/block-tester

That'll tell you almost certainly if your head gasket is blown or not. It most likely is, but it's nice to know for sure.

I like your idea of getting a new head, but if a shop will be doing the work, then just let them handle the work. Otherwise.... ready.... DON'T touch the head, just scrape it and throw it back on! LOL. I've handled TWO headgasket replacements, and neither heads went for surfacing mainly because the heads that I've seen that have virtually needed nothing done. I did one HG myself, and let Toyota Sam do another, and he even agreed, the head rarely ever needs attention on these units. Up to you though. Just a suggestion.
If your HG is blown it's most likely the original, which was a bad material. The new one.... that you'll buy from Toyota ONLY.... will last forever.

Tell us where you are and we can find you a trustworthy shop.

 

[Tux318]

I live in Lineville, Al. My HG isn't blown, but my valve seals are badly worn and my injectors could use a rebuild. I'm the type that does all of the "while you're in there" stuff. Heck, I'm even considering rebuilding the bottom end while I'm at it. I'm just at a loss about a machine shop. I'm 2 hours from B'ham, Auburn, anywhere. 30 minutes from Talladega, Anniston, Sylacauga, etc.

And yes, I've done the scrape and slap back on on a couple of 22-REs and even an M42 BMW engine. But, I'd rather do the whole nine on my FZ. I LOVE this thing.

Oh and WDE. I lived in Auburn from '98 until '03. I remember seeing a lifted 80 on Wire Rd all of the time.

 

[Land Speeder]

Dude, ACC has moved to the West side of ATL, so you're maybe an hour from Harness and Dugan! Their new shop is AWESOME!

was this the 80 you saw at the tiny houses?



Although, the years you were there woulda been the years I had left. LOL. I came back, and oddly enough the girls were still the same age. It was another great ten years!
Were you in 4-H? I had friends from Lineville who were in 4-H with me in the early 90's.

 

[Land Speeder]

Oops, you're 1.5 hours from ACC....
4330 Commerce Cir SW, Atlanta, GA 30336

 

[Tux318]

That may have been it...for some reason I was thinking it was green. It was at the tiny town houses though. I drove a lowered silver bimmer e30 and a lifted black 3rd gen 4Runner while I was there (limited on 35's, rare combo in 2001 when I built it).

I went to school at Ashland. I was in 4-H, but I never competed or anything much.

I'll be doing the wrenching myself. Nobody touches the 80's guts but me. Lol.

 

[Land Speeder]

That may have been it...for some reason I was thinking it was green. It was at the tiny town houses though.

another 80, another tiny house, same me.

 

[Tux318]

That looks familiar, but dude that was a long time ago! My pride....