Head gasket tips and tricks?

[broketaco]

So I have a 97' Taco with the 2.7L, 4wd with 188,000 miles, yesterday it took a dump on me... all the tell tale signs of a blown head gasket (steam out the exhaust and sludgy oil). Hopefully some of you Toyota guys can give me some insight.

First off, do you guys have any tips and tricks to this repair other than following the Hayes and Chiltons books?

Secondly, are there any parts you would suggest replacing while I have everything opened up?

I figured I would replace the fuel filter since its a pain to get to while everything put together, i'll give the intake plenum a good cleaning and probably have my injectors cleaned.

Im open to any and all advice?

Tanks

[Hoodlum]

This depends on weather or not your going to pull out the engine or doing the repair with the engines still in the truck. If you going to pull the engine out now would be a good time to do the timing chain and water pump. If doing the repair with the motor still in the engine bay. Just clean up the throttle body and the intake and just give everything a very good look over and make note of any other worn out parts for replacement.

[broketaco]

I have no plans to pull the motor. How do the timing chains hold up in the Tacos? I've heard the 22RE's sometimes have issues with the guides wearing out, but I haven't heard about the taco.

Thanks.

[Hoodlum]

broketaco said:

I have no plans to pull the motor. How do the timing chains hold up in the Tacos? I've heard the 22RE's sometimes have issues with the guides wearing out, but I haven't heard about the taco.

Thanks.

The same goes for the 2.7 3rz. The chain is usually fine but the plastic guides wear out.

[broketaco]

Sounds like I may as well tear into the front of the motor as well.

these next couple afternoons are gonna be great. :shootme:

[danstoy]

you should'nt have to pull the motor to replace t/chian and w/pump, i would do the pump and the guides at the very least and have the head pressure tested and the deck resurfaced if not a valve job too. do it now or kick yourself later for not doing it.

[broketaco]

My truck is dialed, new fuel filter, got my injectors back from Witch Hunter, new water pump, new timing chain and guides, new thermostat, everything was going good.... BUT.... I wiped my index marks off the cam gears while I was cleaning.

Any tips on how to install the cams. the exhaust side has a pair of "index dimples" or what ever you want to call them, but the intake side has nothing of the sort.

[rockcrawlintoy]

change the timing chain for sure. i had mine let go on me on my 22re with similar mileage. better safe that being stuck 1/2 way through the Rubicon

[rockcrawlintoy]

your from chico ehh. im from chico also. ill shoot you a pm next time im down there