What are my odds of replacing the camshaft on my 22re without busting the head gasket
 

Anybody venture a guess if I can pull this off without compromising the head gasket? I've got the coolant fluid drained out of the block and I'm just trying to get the interior wrapped up before starting this project.

What's your best guess........can I pull this off?

vmax84

22re motor.

vmax84

when you pull the cam you will be breaking the torque on the head bolts. the gasket is meant to be compressed once, and would likely leak at some point in the (near) future.
don't waste your time, or money. figure on replacing it. replacing the bolts themselves is a good idea, as they are compromised once retorqued. do a search, there's a lot written up, you'll find some good info.

change it and call it good. It sounds like you have time.

I did the same thing on my 22re about a month ago. New cam ran great for a week. Then the head gasket went on #3 and i just got it all put back together yesterday. Runs great again but had to have the head milled and take it all apart. $150 or so and time. If you clamp the head down w/ c-clamps you can do it but plan on a HG otherwise just get a new hg and put it in when you do the cam. you can leave the intake all connected and just remove the exhaust to get it. Unless your like me and enjoy the gamble. Good luck.

I probably should just bite the bullet and redo the head and change out the gasket.

vmax84

We did it, but it blew the gasket about a month later. Just do it now. Toyota gasket looks awsome!

I guess I was just trying to "slip in" the other camshaft, since knowing me, if I have to change the head gasket as well, I'll end up getting the head re-done while "I'm in there". Kinda a snowball effect when I start into something. Is this just me??!!

vmax84