HG replacement help/pricing

[dugums]

I used the search tool, to no avail. It seems like pretty much everyone on here goes the DIY route when attending to the HG. I have not been able to find anybody willing to help me in my area, and I am not comfortable tackling the job by myself.

I was wondering if anybody knows from experience how much it costs to pay a shop to replace the HG for you. I understand that every situation is a bit different, but if anybody has experience with this, I would really love some input.

If you do have some information - please indicate whether it was a factory(or other composite) HG or MHG, and if the block and head were both machined. Any and all information is much appreciated. So far, my car shows no signs of having a BHG, but records indicate it's still running the factory one (80k mi).

I am really just trying to see if I am being quoted a fair price. Below are the prices I was quoted:

~$1,300 Factory composite HG, head machined, no machining on the block, ARP hardware, timing belt and water pump replaced.

~$3,000 MHG, same as above, +block will be machined properly.

I was really hoping to do a MHG, but at those prices, there's no way. These numbers are from a respected shop that has tons of experience with Supras.

Again, any help is much appreciated.

 

[1988SupraDreams]

I could do it for 1/4 of that.

But then again I'm not an "Experienced Shop"
Just an experienced Supra owner.

 

[dugums]

I'll fly you out here and give you a place to stay!!!

Seriously though, as I offered in my introduction post, if anybody with experience can help me, I will compensate appropriately.

I wasn't saying I needed and experienced shop to do it, that is just where I got my numbers from.

 

[Doward]

Dammit, I wish you were down here bro. I'd help you out in a heartbeat

 

[tte]

I think thats too much...

Just find an experienced supra owner in your area. He will help you out and you will save alot of money.
He gets some money and you make a new friend.

Cheers,
Roy

 

[dugums]

Absolutely, i'd love to go this route. I feel like I would be missing such a big learning experience by not participating.

I guess I will expand this thread to also be a search for anybody who might be able to help me. I would much rather pay a fellow supra owner than a shops overhead.

And - I am NOT kidding about the possibility of flying somebody out here... Anybody want a vacation???

 

[TobyCat]

It's about 900-1300 canadian to get a head gasket done up here, so your prices are on the high side. But...if they replace the timing belt, water pump, use ARP hardware, genuine Toyota parts and get the head machined, then that's not too far off.

According to Alldata, a head gasket job is 9.9 hours of shop time. So 9.9x(shop rate) + parts ~= 1300 bucks isn't too far off.

 

[1988SupraDreams]

Yeah, like said it also depends on what you get done, when I did my HG me and my buddy rebuilt the head (Twas mostly my buddy but still!). If all you wanna do is slap a MHG on there, you have to take the pistons out of the block and the valves out of the head so that they can be milled to a certian roughness average. So that means the whole engine has to come out.

What kind of power you looking for? The highest I would go on a DD Supra is 350 and for that you'd be fine with a composite HG. If all you wanna do if a Composite HG, Pretty much ANY Supra owner could help you with that .

I would totally come down and help you but a flight to chicago is out of the question for me, as I usually work seven days a week to keep food in my mothers kitchen. Do you have a TSRM (Toyota Service Repair Manual)?

 

[TobyCat]

Everybody has a TSRM!

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/default.aspx

 

[dugums]

I think the composite HG will be fine for my power needs.

I guess I just felt like if I could get the MHG done it would just be more peace of mind. After reading some of the issues, I'm not so sure that doing the metal one is such a good idea. It seems some people have had major issues after doing a metal one slightly improperly or with supbar machining.

So I guess I will focus on the stock replacement. Like said, I am kind of overwhelmed by the whole thing, but I'll go through all of the information here again and see if I can't convince myself to do it.

I would still love to find someone who can take me through the process.

 

[tte]

Maybe make a thread in the FOR SALE Section reading:

"WTB : EXPERIENCED SUPRA OWNER NEEDED FOR HEAD GASKET REPAIR" :biglaugh:

I'm sure you will draw more attention and find some supra owner willing to help.

Cheers,
Roy

 

[dugums]

Thanks for all of the input guys - I listed as you instructed...


Keep the advice coming!!!

 

[starscream5000]

LOL are you serious? That's funny! If you do the stock type gasket, ARP studs torqued per the instructions that come with it using moly lube, a good sealer like permatex brake quiet on the HG, and a flat head AND block would be completly fine for a car not trying to break the sound barrier .

 

[Doward]

There is always the option of reading through the TSRM (posted above) and tackling it yourself. Believe me, if you get stuck, we WILL help you out.

Seriously, the only other community with the level of helpfulness I've witnessed from the Supra community, is the Classical Pontiac community!

 

[starscream5000]

I know all about the helpfullness of this community trust me . I've recently joined another forum for my soon to be DD and they aren't worth a shit as far as being helpful...

 

[dugums]

I know, I know - I'm acting like a puss, but my biggest fear is getting this thing apart and not being able to get it back together. I would much rather have somebody to help.

I used to help people all of the time with audio installations, etc. so I don't think I am unique in wanting to make sure stuff is done right. There are certain things I do very well, and certain things I have never done. For those things that I have never done, I would much rather have some help from somebody who's been there before.

I really appreciate all of the input!

 

[dugums]

I have read through the TSRM (more than once) and will be doing it again. I do not have a problem following directions. In my own experience though, there are always little tricks or subtleties that aren't conveyed in instructions for something involved like this.

Believe me, I have searched through this forum, and the wealth of information here is awesome! Just from the comments in the post, I know I can turn here for help.

It seems like most people here think this is not something I should be scared to do. I am understanding that if I am organized and motivated, I should be able to pull this off without much of hitch.

I still would love to find somebody in the area to help, but I guess even if I can't I will try to tackle this myself.

 

[1988SupraDreams]

Hey you know if you ever run into a problem man, you got us, RIGHT HERE!

Remeber man we're here to help, that's the purpose of the forum.

You can do it, I did my first HG 3 days after pulling my Supra from the Junkyard with absolutley NO prior experience. It ran too, and I thank the forum for that one. (Eventually ripped the motor and tranny out so now it was just a learning experience)

 

[dugums]

Thanks for the encouragement. I think I am going to try to do this without the shop. I guess I'll give you all a big THANK YOU in advance for all of the help I know I am going to need from you:icon_razz ...

 

[a_sesshoumaru]

i have done my head gasket 3 times already and one rebuild in six month jjajajaja, this forum helps a lot