There is a good chance that I may need to purchase a new head/cam and was wondering what is everyone's opinion on where to buy? I used engnbldr years ago but he's since retired. Thanks.

 

Personally. I'd source a used one at a pull your own part wrecking yard. At the very least the cam. Worse comes to worse, you can get a bare head and put your valves, springs, etc off the old head. The old, used, oem are vastly better then what they put in those loaded heads.

 

5.5 years ago I needed to do the same thing. The local machine shop had a three month waiting list, so that was a no go.

Ended up buying an Enginetech CH1072N complete cylinder head from RockAuto for a 92 22RE pickup. Had to use my old rocker assembly. Over 60,000 miles later it's still doing just fine. Have adjusted the valves cold twice at 7/11, and replaced the valve cover gasket during the second adjustment.

Used a Toyota head gasket when I installed the head. Did not have to do a re-torque. It's been years since I installed it all, but I think I torqued the new EngineTech head bolts at 62 foot pounds.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...sn=450&jsn=450

 

Thanks .. I may have to go that route.

 

If you do decide to go with one of those loaded heads and dispose of your old head I HIGHLY recommend stripping off all the parts you can. Put a socket over the valves and bop with a mallet. the retainers will fall out and you can pull the valves. Besides the valves, grab the springs, retainers, washers, etc. Keep it all. Ideally, when you're done you have a fully stripped head. You might need those parts you pulled in the future.

 

Cheap PO head gasket failure. Cylinder #4 was drinking coolant profusely.
My budget head gasket (sourced by the PO for a rebuild after his chain guides failed and the chain wore through the water jacket) blew last February in -15°F temps in Wisconsin. I sourced a new head and RV cam set up from these folks

https://sunwestautoinc.com

They also sourced me a recommended head gasket (Star I believe is the mfg) with vyton (I think) coating on both sides to assist in managing the differential expansion of aluminum and steel.

After about 8,000 miles behind this head and cam, things are still going well.

If your rig is a keeper (like mine is) then investing in a full top overhaul could be a great investment and you'll only be messing with everything in the timing cover, chain and head only ONE TIME.

If you have the budget, I'd recommend doing it all once and enjoying a very long "uptime" on your rig without issues.

Things to consider when doing this are the really hard to reach items like the fuel filter and the starter (I had mine rebuilt by a custom starter/alternator shop, I also gave them the alternator too just for good measure).

Mike

 

That engine bay looks really good. Thanks for all the options everyone.. I'm hoping to be able to knock mine out after the holidays when I have some $$ to throw at it. I hate it that the truck is just sitting..

 

Thanks, it took a little bit of work and searching for the blue components. I'm adding an LCE spark plug wire separator plate soon

https://www.lceperformance.com/Bille...-p/1085006.htm

Mike