ok im getting my head gasket replaced, my mechanic is charging me 900 for labor and 400 for the gaskets, he said they were alot more expensive for toyotas then other vehicles. Now does the engnbldr.com FGS9500 Full Gasket Set with seals 130.00 9.00 S&H come with everything you need to replace the headgasket? cause if so im going to tell him to order it from there because you guys seem to speak so highly of their stuff. Let me know, thanks

 

make sure you get some of his 10.9 EPN headbolts. Do not reuse the origional headbolts. Also swap knock sensor and knock sensor wire

 

I've just ordered my 3.0 gasket set, and although I haven't received it yet (due to arrive on thursday or friday this week), when I talked to the guys at engnbldr, they told me it comes with everything I need to replace the head gaskets and all gaskets above that (I don't believe it comes with new injector seals). The set I ordered (off their ebay store) comes with the 10.9 head bolts.

 

Be VERY careful with the head-bolts. The one's I received... the head on them was a little smaller than it should have been. It was basically between a 12mm and 11mm socket. Unfortunately I found this out after I put almost all of the bolts in (all bolts are a tad bit loose sometimes when you put a wrench on them), and the head on one of the last few bolts stripped. I managed to get it within 1/10 of a turn or so of where it should be... but there's no good way to take it off now... and if I ever do have to take it off.... lets just say i'll be a little screwed. Don't get me wrong, they're gasket kits are great! I've already rebuild 2 engines with them... just the last batch of head bolts I received... well.. I'd just check them before you put them on!

 

I also asked them about that when I called and they acknowledge that they have had problems with the bolts. They responded by saying that the problem was corrected.

 

Teds Kit is awesome. Id find a new machanic If he is charging your $400 for gaskets HE IS RIPPING YOU OFF.

I wouldn't trust him one bit.

 

+1

Order the engbndr kit, I've used it twice now.. It includes everything you need then some... Valve seals, even turbo-specific parts.

Use new head bolts, as mentioned.. Make SURE you get the right year (early vs late).

Most mechanics get their parts at a "jobber" discount and then charge you retail. Anything you can do to buy your own quailty parts will help... Me thinks that $900 ($90/hr * 10 hours) is probably damn near retail price for a head gasket... Nevermind the fact that you won't use 1/2 the gaskets in Ted's kit...

 

the 900 is for 15 hours of labor and i found out the 350-400 for the gaskets includes a bunch of other gaskets, im relaying this through my dad so theres confusion. I mean 1,300 sounds just about right for a head gasket job. We've been with the same guy for years and hes been great so we decided to go with him even if its a little "marked up" thanks for all the different viewpoints though!