Quickie New Head Gasket

[aluminumowl(dkg)]

haha i was like... why the eff wont the head come off? today. and then i was like, oh wtf ill just go to good ol celica=gts.com. And then i see him say, dont forget this bolt, its in a puddle of oil. DAMNIT!!!

[Celica49]

Quick question on the head bolts, are the early 22re head bolts the same as the late head bolts? thanks.

[a2ndopinion]

No, the late bolts are shorter. I have used late bolts on an early motor before at the "advice" of someone with more experience than myself, but it doesn't give me warm fuzzies.
Head bolts can reused with no problem as long as they aren't severely pitted. I always take the bolts to the wire wheel to get them immaculately clean, and have never had an issue - also clean the holes very well.

[Beaniam]

I just had to do an unexpected last minute head gasket on Tuesday.  This thread helped, was done on an EFI car.  Took about 6 hours give or take.  Left intake on the head, flipped it on it's side and held it over torward the fender with a strap while I cleaned it.  Leak was a coolant channel in to cyl #3.  Was between the block and the gasket.  Nothing looked too bad or pitted after cleaning it so I threw a rock gasket on it and bolted it back together.  I'm sure it's not recommended but I was pressed for time and did not loosen the valves.  I wire wheeled and reused my head bolts.  Tq'd to 75ft/lb and rechecked after a short drive and warm up.  120 miles on it so far (knocks on wood).

[a2ndopinion]

After a week or so, with the engine stone cold, in torque sequence order, one at a time, loosen the bolt just a touch, then re-torque again, and it should be good for at least 100k - but you will probably develop an external oil leak from the Rock HG...

[Beaniam]

Couple years ago when I bought it I was under the impression the rock gasket was one of the better ones to get.

[a2ndopinion]

They seem to seal the combustion chamber quite well, but allow oil to seep. Of course, I had been using them for for a couple of years before I really discovered that, and then discussed it with others.

[Beaniam]

7 months and a few thousand miles and all is still good...No loss of coolant that I can tell.  Now I just need to get around to doing the clutch.  I get a weird vibration at certain speeds and occasional noise at partial clutch.  I'm thinking 1 or a few pressure plate fingers have broken off and or the throwout bearing is taking a crap.

[khlause]

I can second <a2ndopinion's> recommendation on this. Did a 22R head gasket in a camp ground in 1997, because my 4Runner decided it would be a good time for a new one.

New gasket on, and back on the road trip I continued. That engine held strong till the day the next owner a buddy of mine sold it too his sister who then proceeded to drive it into the ground. I am sure it still sits some place in the deserts of Eastern WA, languishing.. Poor truck, it served me so well for so many years. Makes me want to go rescue it, may be I will.