Yay, I successfully replaced the head gasket on my 22re. It was the first work I had ever done on an engine and it was a success. Im not burning any water anymore and the coolant level is staying the same. Thanks for all the help and advice guys.

-Jeff

 

Congrats! That's a pretty big job... especially for the first time doing any engine work!

 

Nice job! I did mine a few months ago. At first it seemed like it was going to be really hard and complicated, but looking back on it now it doesnt seem that bad at all.

 

Great job, "I knew you could do it" (said in the Saturday Night Live's "Church Lady's" voice).
Automotive mechanics are, for the most part, never as hard as they are made out to be by the stealerships and jackwrench garages. They just present them that way because they're out to get your money so the more impossible they make the job appear, the better that it is for them.
Now that you've gotten a taste, you'll catch the fever and there's no telling wheren you'll go from here.
And hey, it's YOTATECH, it's what we do!

 

Great Job man...just finished my headgasket too today...93 4x4 with 205k. Runs real good, but lifters are a little loud...is this normal after head work?

Anyway, ya, as i look back..minus all the broken bolts and tight spaces I enjoyed the job. Wasnt all that difficult.. Congrats.

 

Thanks guys,

My lifters are quite loud as well. Do I need a valve train adjustment? Also, my truck still runs hot when I have the AC running what can i do to stop this and is it normal?

-Jeff

 

yes, an adjustment is a good idea after removing your head. its another simple task. <30min
for the AC=turn it off you might want to consider a radiator flush since some of the crud from the head work may remain in the cooling sysytem. mine went bad the other way-clogged rad->overheat->blow head gasket.

 

definitely adjust your valves, not a hard job to do. even the slightest difference in gasket thickness etc will throw them out of adjustment. it's a half hour job if you're slow

 

i adjusted my valves, and the thing is still loud...hrmmm...

 

a lot of the time the noise won't go away. next time you adjust the valves, unscrew the adjuster studs and look at the face of them for any wierd wear.

 

Make sure when you are adjusting the valves that when you are running the feeler guage in and out checking the gap/drag that you are not pushing down on the valve side. The rocker should be firm against the cam. Also what spec were you setting them to, and was the engine warm or cold. If warm engine the spec is .08 in and .12 ex, I have always set them with the engine cold at .07 in and .11 cold w/ moderate drag on the feelers This alows for thermal expansion of the metals and puts it in spec. Plus you don't burn your hands and arms that way.

By the way way to break your cherry doing a head job. LOL