SnowDrive215

Hello! My names Andrew, I'm new to YT and diggin this forum. I am going to be replacing the head gaskets to my 1995 3VZE with 160k on it. I have never worked on a toyota but am a decent mechanic. I know I will need some help so I will be posting updates and photos of my work for some feedback.

I also have an automatic tranny issue...it doesnt shift on its own. It worked fine when i bought it (from a shady hole in the wall dealer) but started to not want to go back in 1st. I will be doing this work myself as well but unsure about how to tackle this project. Should I get it rebuilt or figure out what could be causing it to not shift correctly?

phildelfino

do it yourself. there are places to buy the solenoids. read this from another forum.

good luck with it all.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587521

SnowDrive215

Right on. I had a couple people say something about the solenoids before. I'll definitely check that out first.

SnowDrive215

Today I started taking the top end apart. I might have a problem with my timing and I need some advice with the fuel injectors. Here are a few pictures from today.


pulled off the injectors on the right side and found this


I'm wondering if I have to worry about my timing...





does this mean my cranks off a notch?

Schism64

If I were you, at a minimum I would replace all the seals on the injectors and clean them. I had mine sent out to a guy I found on the boards and he cleaned, tested, replaced all seals for a little over $100 bucks. Well worth it.

If you are redoing the head gaskets, the timing notches are irrelevant. That being said, the timing may and/or may not be off, can be hard to tell with these engines. Getting all marks exactly lined up is not always possible. Not something to worry about.

92 TOY

I used www.witchhunter.com twice for injector service. send off the cold start injector too while you are at it.

i have lots of pics from our recent 3vze rebuild (my son's thread in my sig), so hit me up if you need something.

SnowDrive215

I have been hearing from a lot of people to get the injectors cleaned. I can afford that so I guess I'll find a local shop....maybe witch hunter. I also looked into cleaning them diy...found this video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFJlTfHyrUk
I'm tempted to try this myself.

SnowDrive215

Here are more photos of the tear down
I made this and it works great!

I took the heads off together with the exhaust crossover....I wasnt even going to attempt trying to bust a knuckle haha

It is obvious that the gasket failed at the no1 piston. a peace broke off and now my piston is dinged up...wondering if I should grind it smooth?

I have already ordered the gasket kit, knock sensor wire, pintle caps for injectors, and should be taking my heads in to a shop tomorrow for testing and all that good stuff....then its off to pick a part for a camshaft, egr bolt, exhaust bolts and those random parts ive been needing.

JohnVH

subscribing, Ill be in this boat on a '90 3.0 soon. Whats that thing you welded up on the head, Im looking for tips before tearing it down.

Thanks

1800's kinda guy

if the heads have been done before, and somebody had them resurfaced, then that will make the timing marks not line up completely because there is a very small difference in distance from the crank shaft to the cam shafts.
looks good to me. you'll find out soon enough when you go to time it.

SnowDrive215

awesome! I would definitely recomend buying a quality gasket kit from engine builder.com or just order from the toyota dealer.

That thing I fabricated from angle iron and two thick bolts is a copy cat design of the Special Service Tool required when removing the cam sprecket gears on both heads. !loosen left! It worked great! I couldnt find one anywhere and the dealer told me I had to purchase a kit costing about 400 I saw a few people fab up their own...I can weld so I made my own.

SnowDrive215

hmmmm....I was able to get the timing marks lined up...I am hoping it is correct since I took a few days to research it. I'll post pics when I get them belt back on. hope it goes smooth.

I discovered today that the front left no1 bearing cap bolt stripped the threads in the head....so I have to retap that. Any advice people?!?!?

I just took my heads into a great mechanic! Candy Man in Bloomington Ca. small place but they have been in business for a long time. Great guys! only costs 120 for valve job cleaning and resurfacing. I dont think it was resurfaced before from the looks of the heads but I could be wrong. I was told that the head gaskets were never replaced. but the timing belt was replaced 29k miles ago. I will be putting a new belt, pullys, tensioner, water pump and all that good stuff on in a few months.

serenity73

Hello yota peeps, I am new to this forum and hope it proves useful. My 95 4runner has been very reliable. However at 206k miles, i finally blew a head gasket and have had blue devil gasket sealer suggested to me, but this seems to be a band-aid solution. I have consulted a mechanic in the bakersfield area who cannot guarantee repair on 3.0L V6 gasket repair for that engine type because 3.0L engines supposedly notorious for this problem, but I have had this truck for 8 years and first time this has happened. So, should I attempt gasket repair? Or replace with used 3.4/4.0L engine?
any suggestions will be helpful. Thank you.

thefishguy77

iTrader: (1)

It depends on your skill level. If you know that you could rip it apart and put it b k together then it's not a bad idea. Some people will tell you to get a short block with low miles and swap it in. Some will say a 3.4 is the only way to go. It all depends on time money and skill level. If it were me and I was going to rip it apart then I would probably do the bottom end at the same time. Might as well have a new motor right. So give us some more information about your skills and wants/needs and oh yea money. Hope this helps