Mechanic - Santa Cruz, CA (1 Viewer)

[thedoughboy]

Just like that...poof! The white smoke of the dreaded head gasket. At 279,000 I am pretty sure it just happened. 1995 that has been so reliable to me. I have been prepping mentally to tackle this project by myself. As life has it, I cannot make this happen at this time. I will do all the necessary checks to verify my head gasket just blew but I am pretty sure it did. I have been smelling the sweet smell others have mentioned. Today, she was running rough. I stopped the rig to run and errand. When I started her back up I hear screams and saw the smoke bomb coming from the rear of my vehicle.

Does anyone know a good...scratch that...great mechanic in the Santa Cruz area? I want to do this right.

Thanks in Advance

 

[MrK]

Just DIY. Remove the engine, resurface the block, put it back together with new gaskets. Whola (btw Skips machine shop in seaside is top notch)

 

[merlet]

Go see Marty at Santa Cruz Imported Truck. They are open tomorrow but are closed weekends and Monday.
Its a family affair; they are toyota gear heads (Marty, the owner, has an 80 too); and most importantly super honest. I highly recommend them.


132 Benito Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

 

[Shoredreamer]

Import Truck as well. If there’s something I can’t do, I’d take it to them.

 

[bajaphile]

Go see Marty at Santa Cruz Imported Truck. They are open tomorrow but are closed weekends and Monday.
Its a family affair; they are toyota gear heads (Marty, the owner, has an 80 too); and most importantly super honest. I highly recommend them.


132 Benito Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

I agree. I lived there about 20 years ago and went there a few times. They actually helped me diagnose an issue (can't remember what) and didn't charge me. I also had them replace the clutch on my old 1st gen 4Runner. Good guys.

 

[merlet]

Import Truck as well. If there’s something I can’t do, I’d take it to them.

Same here.

 

[thedoughboy]

@merlet
@Shoredreamer

Just called Import Trucks and they don't do "that kind" of work anymore. If you have any other suggestions let me know!

Thanks

 

[merlet]

Try

@merlet
@Shoredreamer

Just called Import Trucks and they don't do "that kind" of work anymore. If you have any other suggestions let me know!

Thanks

try Tim's Auto Electric which is at the other end of Benito avenue:
Contact Tim's Auto Repair Specialist - Santa Cruz, CA | 831-427-1221

When Marty was too busy I brought my truck (for things I can't do) to their shop. They deal with a lot of old classic cars. They also maintain the HD61 from Tepui (the green 60 series that Tepui has).
They handled for me my carb rebuild.

Noah, their frontman, is a really nice and honest guy. But no idea if they will take on a full engine rebuild or not.

--jeff

 

[Road Apple]

Garrett at Tiger motors is great. He is a Toyota master mechanic and his prices are good. He is very fair on what he charges and will not sell you work you don't need. He pays attention to details like putting anti-seize compound on bolt during install. I've had a bunch of work done at Tiger motors including base lining my rig and a head gasket. Highly recommended !!