when replacing a 22-re head gasket do you HAVE to plane the head? my buddy's just went in his '86 4runner and people are telling him he has to plane it but he is tight on cash and would rather no if he doesn't have too.I was thinking if it looks good (flat and smooth...) it would be ok to go without it. what do you guys suggest? thanks -Corey

>>>*Well, no, of course it isn't. A good tech can use a dead straight edge, and if careful find any areas of annealing that can lead to problems down the road.

*If there are none, put it back on.

I will note that in 99% of all aluminum heads we see in our shop, (or I should say my Son Tod's shop now) we find a point of more than .002", sometimes over an area on the fire ring of less than 1/4".

If there, that WILL be the next failure point!

We do surface 99% of all we see, and I also know that Tod has been known to do it for free rather than take the risk of a comeback, (which is ALWAYS a "defective" head gasket when this happens)...*LOL**..

I understand about funds, been short myself. I will say the odds are VERY high that spending the $35 to shave the bare minimum is cheaper than the alternative.

*One note! If your machinist heads for a belt sander machine with your head, time to leave and look around. Dead square is critical on these heads. Belt sanders are for exhaust manifolds......*EB

$35<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> he had mentioned $100....thanks for your info, with that ill suggest him to shop around and get it done.<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />