Suggestions while the head is off?

[mkiii222]

After losing almost 2 gallons of coolant in just over a month I've decided it's time to tear into the engine.
Over 95% of the coolant hoses have already been replaced in the last 2-3 years.
Radiator was replaced ~3 months ago with a Mishimoto. (no fan blade contact per the recent threads)
Random white smoke storm from the tailpipe when stopped at lights or sometimes when idling.

All of this combined leads me to believe it's time for the head gasket to be replaced. Hopefully the block will be good (will be checking and replacing bearings/rings and getting it machined if needed).

Anyways that's the back story, on to the question.

Is there anything that should be replaced while I've got the head off?

So far my parts list looks like this:
Toyota head gasket
Toyota intake/exhaust manifold gaskets
Comp-Cams 975 springs
DriftMotion exhaust stud helicoil kit
Valve stem seals
Cam seals
CPS o-ring
ARP head studs
o2 sensor

And if the block needs to be taken out for machine work I'm adding:
Rings
Bearings
Oil pump

 

[metaphysico]

Probably will want to an an 02 sensor to that list or a wideband since o2 + coolant = death to the o2 pretty fast.

 

[whitemike]

Shims, definitely

 

[mkiii222]

Thanks for the replies.

O2 added to the list and shims will be checked/replaced as necessary. I should know if I need shims by Saturday AM so the dealer will still be open. The plan is to start Friday around 6 PM and have it road worthy by Sunday evening. If not I have to borrow the parents spare car and hear about it daily until it's finished (93 Accord Wagon).

 

[IwantMKIII]

The 90* Coolant hose bends around the rear of the engine if they haven't been replaced yet along with the rubber hose caps on the hardlines that wrap around the block. Go with a MHG, I have a used HKS Stopper if you'd like to go that route or new normal MHG aren't that expensive and more reliable; be sure to get the block decked if you go MHG. Check and i suggest replacing both front and rear main seals. I recently had my rear timing cover seal blow and it was a NIGHTMARE. Spent about $800 on a $15 pair of gaskets (did it myself), you may want to at least consider replacing them since you already have your head off. Check for oil in your spark plug galley, its common for the gasket along the sparkplug galley to go bad and leak. Replace all your vac lines, they're 20 years old.

 

[mkiii222]

Rear 90* were replaced in March. Front 90* would be good though.
Front/rear mains will be done IF the block needs machine work. If I don't have to pull the block out I'm not going to.
And the 3rd valve cover/gaskets have already been replaced.

 

[metaphysico]

Yea check that pipe that wraps around the engine, you have to pull the head or motor to replace it, so make sure its in good shape or replace.

 

[Poodles]

Any and all seals if the block is being worked on. Also know it's gonna nickle and dime you to death with little things. I could fill a huge list of things you should do but it's never going to be a complete list to be honest. Shit breaks and you find issues anytime you tear into an engine...

 

[mkiii222]

Figured I'd post an update now that I'm 1000+ miles on the new gasket.

The 7M is running better than it has in years. Haven't lost a drop of oil or coolant yet and the pull to redline is amazing.

Poodles hit the nail on the head. Nickel and dime was the name of the game. Minus the DM downpipe that wasn't necessary for the BHG job it ran almost $800 and that was with having the ARPs on hand already.

Things I flat out forgot to get ahead of time:
Timing Light ($40 + tax at the local Autozone)
Valve Spring Compressor ($20 at Sears + $1 worth of PVC)
Various OEM nuts ($15 at the local dealer, downpipe to turbo nuts were nasty rusty, couple others I found missing...)
New plugs ($50 at the local Pep Boys for NGK Iridium)

Things I broke/lost:
Fuel injector o-rings (old ones were pretty worn and wouldn't seal on the head anymore)
Valve keepers ($10 at the local dealer)

Things I still need to do:
Replace the o2 sensor
Stop hitting fuel cut (don't know if I want to band-aid an SAFC to hold me over or just go ahead with a MAFTPro/GM 3bar)

The exhaust stud helicoil job went way smoother than I thought it would while scraping the block of the old gasket was a chore and a half. Mr Gasket gasket remover doesn't work for $#@%.

My 'finish by Sunday' plan was a bust. Ended up finishing by Thursday between having to wait for a dealership to open for the keepers and having to work M-F. Not too bad for being by myself through 90% of it. Although if I need to take it all the way apart again there will definitely be a 'free beer/pizza for help' thread popping up to get the job done faster.