I recently purchased an '87 2WD 22R with a blown head gasket, and have been attempting to prepare myself with everything needed to do this, my first head gasket repair, correctly. I'm working on a tight budget, and therefore need to be sure that whatever I spend on dies & taps is wisely spent. I went tool hunting at the flea market (figuring I'd rather get quality on the cheap, rather than cheap on the cheap), and was successful regarding some items (like a 20-250lb 1/2" KD Tools Torque Wrench for $45, and a 100-750 in/lb Jo Line 3/8" Torque wrench for $15, and a chrome body Craftsman timing light for $15), but I was unable to make a buying decision on any of the tap & die sets I came across - because I didn't know exactly what I needed. There was a pretty nice 100+ piecer for $50, but that is more than what I want to spend right now. So, any help in determining exactly what I need would be appreciated.

 

i never had to use a tap or die on my engine rebuild -- to chase the head bolt threads i took an old head bolt and ground a flat side into the threads. works just as good as a chaser tap.

 

The common bolt sizes used on Toyotas are:

M6 x 1.00 pitch
M8 x 1.25
M10 x 1.25
M12 x 1.25

 

i think the m10x1.25 is the most important one in regards to fasteners. they are hard to find if you lose them, as most hardware stores only carry m10x1.00, or m10x1.50

 

Kyle: Thanks for your nifty tip (that I'm sure will come in handy some day), but what are you trying to do ... force me to buy new head bolts?!?

FourWD: Excellent. Thanks for arming me with the knowledge I needed to know.

Thanks to you both.