NEED HELP 1996 Toyota 4Runner Head Gasket/Engine Rebuild Project
 

Bought this truck not knowing it had a blown head gasket, got an estimate and said NO. I have since then gotten the kit and am down to the heads. I have removed the camshafts and am so close to removing the heads. I was unable to get the heads off after unbolting them due to the exhaust manifolds not wanting to come off. Anyone done a HEAD GASKET IN A 3.4L YOTA? Anyone have any advice or anything? I have been working on it for about 6 months and have been researching everything so I don't mess anything up like the timing and such.

My motto for this truck is, "If anything CAN go wrong it WILL".

Ex. Pulling the lower exhaust so I can pry the connection from the exhaust manifold and the part where the manifolds connect a bracket kept me from dropping it down(stripped bolt)

I lack tools so I had to buy a reciprocating saw to cut the mount off(It wasn't connected to anything and couldn't be connected to anything)

I'll add more pics and thanks to anybody with words of advice. I would REALLY appreciate it. :safari:

I don't know if you've found the help you need, but if you search in the tech section there are several folks with well documented head gasket write-ups that should set you straight.