Corolla/Prism Head Gasket

[wheredoesthisgo]

Hello Folks, I have a beater that blew a head gasket. 93 prism w/the toyota 1.6 with 135,000 miles on it. It just blew the head gasket. I am going to try to do it myself. At this point with an american car I would do the whole top end but toyota appears to use decent parts. I really dont want to drop 500$ to have the head shaved and the valves done with a crack test. 2 Questions, 1. Has anyone just pulled the head, scraped off the old gasket, inspected the head for big probs and put it back (I would check the surface w/a straight edge of course). The machine shop says the old gasket itself leaves a vally in the aluminum head that you need to shave off. (is that just drumming up bus?) If so, how did you make out. I guess putting new valve seals on is something I would do on this scenario. I read some better gaskets compensate for those vallies. 2nd If I did do the top end does the machine shop shim and adjust the valves for you or is that something I will be learnig als0?
Thanks beforehand for any opinions.

Sincerely
Wheredoesthisgo

[retiredat44]

Just take off the head, scape off an clean the head, put the new gasket on. While you have the car apart, it's a good time to replace the timing belt and tensioner bearing... maybe the water pump, if it has never been replaced...

I myself never heard of the head gasket leaving a valley in the head nor block... but then again, I don't know everything... but in the engines I have rebuilt, I have never seen a valley. I have had heads cut down to boost compression, but don't you do that with this engine. I suspect your valves would be in good condition, with 135,000 miles, that's low mileage.

IMHO

buy a complate top end gasket set. it will be cheaper, most likely than buying them seperate.

let us know how it all goes.. I forgot to ask if you know the whole history of the engine. Was it ran nice, or abused?

If it was typical use then do as I said, if it was abused, having it looked over maybe in order.

[tnmk]

Did mine recently, same car as you. Found an orig shop manual on ebay for $15.00 with shipping. (invaluable tool to have) I did rings and valve seals all at the same time. Around $350.00 for everything for me. Just the gasket set with valve seals will be shy of $200.00.

All I did was scrape it clean and put it back together. Runs great!

GET A MANUAL! Much easier then. Change your timing belt at the same time too.

good luck

[ghost_ryder35]

as long as you werent driving it around after the gasket blew then your in good shape ( if you were then you should take it to a machine shop), and do what everyone has been saying. Use a razor to get the old gasket off and or some of that gasket cleaner crap you can get at the auto parts store. Definetly do the timing belt / tensioner / water pump and all belts just to save your self the time later on. After your done doing this your engine maintence will be done till 200,000 (as long as you change the oil)