1mzfe overhaul gasket kit, what else to do while at it

[charley240sx]

Hello all,

I have purchased the toyota overhaul gasket rebuilt kit for my 97 1mzfe. the motor is fine itself, just leaking everywhere, and there is some valve tick that need to be addressed anyways, but no blown HG or anything major. since my buddy and i will drop the cradle to take care of all the gaskets, we will also be doing the waterpump and timing belt idlers at the same time and try to take care of the valve tick issue as well. He recommends that since the motor is all taken apart, to also get the heads checked out. what is everyones consensus for doing this, because i dont have a blown HG, then everything should be fine right?

we will also be putting in complete new mounts as well, but other than that, what else should be taken care of since everything will be torn apart?

Advice appreciated,
thank you
Charley

[chronoti]

well best way to fix valve tick does require ripping up the top end so whats a few new head bolts and gaskets, i say go for it, while you have the heads off replace the valve stem seals too. also if you really can look to switching to the 1zz one piece buckets (no shims) good for like 2 hp

[charley240sx]

so new head bolts. ok
does the valve stem seals not come with the overhaul gasket kit? i honestly wouldnt know what they looked like, since this will be my first time digging so deep into the motor.

Thanks
Charley

[chronoti]

most kits do come with them, they look just like round tubes about ince long

[OceanView]

Wow, good luck with it.
Take some pix and notes, maybe a DIY thread for others that may want to do this in the future?

[charley240sx]

Yes, wish me luck. I think I'm way over my head taking on such a task.
What other recommendations are there.
charley

[JohnGD]

Valve stem seals should be replaced, even if you don't remove the cylinder head.

The 1MZ has coolant seepage problems. And if you remove the head bolts you might find a couple seize to the bolt holes. But that can be taken care of with TimeSerts.

Are you sure you want to remove the cylinder heads at this time?

Originally Posted by charley240sx

so new head bolts. ok
does the valve stem seals not come with the overhaul gasket kit? i honestly wouldnt know what they looked like, since this will be my first time digging so deep into the motor.

Thanks
Charley

[71Corolla]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Are you sure you want to remove the cylinder heads at this time?

I don't know why anyone would pull the heads unless there was a specific problem. If something is suspected, do a leakdown test to confirm. Otherwise IMO leave it alone. And I also think people are too quick to get a head resurfaced, if not done with great precision it will shorten the life of the engine. An improperly resurfaced head will mean that the cam bearings are not aligned/true with the head surface anymore. When the head is torqued down, there will be deformation and the camshafts will be forced to bent slightly, shortening the life of the bearings.

[charley240sx]

ok,
i dont think i really want to remove the head, but the kit comes with a new HG, and since the motor will be out, my buddy recommends that we change everything. he recommends the head check, but i dont think im going to do it since there was no issue to begin with.

Charley

[71Corolla]

How many miles on the engine?

[charley240sx]

235,000 miles. no coolant leaks just oil leaking, bad mounts, and valve tick.

Charley

[JohnGD]

Change the valve stem seals and check the valve clearances and replace shims if needed.

Change the bypass coolant hose under the manifold. And the radiator hoses if not recent.

http://www.lextreme.com/valve_seals.html

[charley240sx]

What about the knock sensors? I see that theyre so difficult to get to, should i do them at this point?

Charley