re: 89/90 V6 Head Gasket...

[sfjen]

Aloha Folks-

I may have an opportunity to get a really nice clean either 89/90 Camry V6 same color as my wagon but has the nice alloy wheels that they offered as an option. We were thinking this might be nice for my mother.

The owner has had it garaged for so many years as it was his wife's car. The "only" thing wrong with it is that it has a blown head gasket.

Would this be a project to take on? I have a good mechanic that I rely on for the things I do not do. Is the head gasket a difficult item on this engine? What is involved and if one takes this on, what other things should be done at the same time to insure it is all running well?

Thanks for any and all advice.
Mahalo,
Glenn

[Grego 92]

Only you can answer that. I used these links and mostly the manual, when I got stuck I asked questions on the board. Read the steps below and look at the manual steps and you can determine whether you can do it or not.

http://arrc.epnet.com/autoapp/8955/8...inder_Head.htm

[sfjen]

Aloha Greg-
I was hoping that you would chime in! I think you are right, only I can know if this is worth it.

What is nice about this gentleman's car is that it only has 100k on it, has the nice Toyota Alloy wheels along with sunroof and the leather package on the inside. The interior is in great shape for a 21yr car.

It was his wife's car for years and he has his own. We may barter for some work that I can do for him for the car. I would not mine trying to do the head gasket, I think what concerns me is everything else that needs to come off in order to get at it. I am pretty good at deconstructing something and putting it back.

By the way, did you buy the Toyota "paper" gaskets for the cylinder heads or did you use an after market brand? Also, did you replace the bolts-studs with new ones and if so, did you get them from Toyota too?

I am trying to help out a senior find another car since rust has taken out their current vehicle. They told me how much they loved their 1990 Camry when they had it. So, I thought here is an opportunity to help them out.

Thank you as always for your help.
Mahalo,
Glen

Originally Posted by Grego 92

Only you can answer that. I used these links and mostly the manual, when I got stuck I asked questions on the board. Read the steps below and look at the manual steps and you can determine whether you can do it or not.

http://arrc.epnet.com/autoapp/8955/8...inder_Head.htm

[Grego 92]

I chose to use an OEM head gasket with a light coat of permatex copper spray. I used new head bolts, but not oem ones. So far they are doing the job, but if I were to do it again I would use oem bolts also for piece of mind.