i finished taking everything apart to replace my headgasket and timing chain and i am cleaning all the surfaces in preperation for new gaskets and i am wondering how clean should the surfaces be, because i have residue on the surfaces after cleaning them? and i have read that you have to drop the oil pan to replace the timing chain i was able to get the timing cover off with no problem so why do you need to drop the pan other than getting a proper seal.

 

not to be rude but when posting you have to tell us what your driveing or better yet to have it in you sig

 

they need to be helluva clean. Try a whetstone with a little bit of WD40 as lube to get some shiny, smooth, bare metal on the top of the block before you slap another gasket on.

 

sorry i have a 1986 4runner 22re with 149km

 

if you want the new gasket to last get it as clean as possible. You ideally want smooth clean metal

 

I, use a wire wheel on a cordless drill along w/carb cleaner to remove debris and polish all surfaces. A razor blade works great for the tight or stubborn areas.

 

So you got it off without dropping the oil pan. Was it easy? I'm gonna have to replace my t chain on my 22re soon too and would like as much ease as possible. I read an earlier thread in which someone said they dropped the pan but didn't remove the head. What's up with that?

 

You can but if the timing guides are broken there are little pieces of metal and plastic in the pan that need to be drained out. if its preventative maintence your ok, i didn't remove my head but dropped the pan and used a gasket scraper i had laying around, with some paint thinner. That combo got stuff really clean. Plus the pan is just like 15 bolts so its not hard at all, unless you need to drop the diff and what not.

 

I like to use a scraper first, then I use a small piece of scotch brite pad (like for pots and pans) Here was the last oil pan I did: http://community.webshots.com/photo/...42310107rfBfdK

 

I call B.S. thats new!

 

Yeah you caught me , the oil strainer is new.