Hi folks!

My name is Joe, Im taking care of some family matters in Surprise for the next week or so and I couldn't resist the opportunity to buy a 95 SR even though it has a blown head gasket. so i picked it up the other day.

Does anyone have any personal recommendations to a machine shop i should use for the heads?

Sorry I don't know of a specific machine shop, just wanted to respond so you know someone's actually reading - good luck man!

Are you the one who e-mailed me?
Johnny Rackley is the Machine shop of choice these days.

I second Johnny's:

Johnny Rackley's Automotive
3015 E Main St
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 833-1216

I've also had good experiences with Bailey's

Baileys Machine & Engine Parts
727 N Country Club Dr
Mesa, AZ 85201
(480) 962-9756

Joe stopped by the house yesterday and borrowed my FSM. Because of his far west side location, he ran the heads on in to a shop closer to his place. We talked about making sure they slap new stem seals in, since he was dealing with a smoker, and I at least mentioned new valve lash adjusters.

He wasn't absolutely sure it had a blown head gasket, but he sounds pretty handy with a wrench, so at least he got it torn down and should be O.K. getting it put back together, provided the heads are in good shape and without cracks.

It'll be good to get yet another one out on the trails here soon.

John B.

excellent good to hear John.

Joe, Let me know if you need any help. The 6G74 quad cam is a favorite of mine

Yes, Thanks for all the recommendations but that shop is really far from me so I decided to go with Morrisons auto machine in Glendale. its a nice smaller shop but the machines looked newer.

I took apart my butterfly valve assembly and the bushings fell apart so I'm going to take that over there today and see if he can turn some brass bushings for it.

My Time-Sert kit showed up today so I can fix the cranks.

And I had a little problem of where to order all the gaskets and parts. The first place I tried online wouldn't answer their phone or email after I ordered the parts and they wouldn't ship to this address because its not my billing address.

the dealership wanted $1,100 and that was ridiculous for mostly gaskets.

the second place I tried online was OEM mitsu parts and they said they will ship out today from atlanta so i should see them here beginning of next week.

over all its going pretty good and I have found this engine more enjoyable to work on than some.

Im having new valve stem seals installed but didn't order valve lash adjusters because the engine ran surprising good for having a bad head gasket. but it was sucking in oil.

when i go to the shop today i will inspect the valve lash adjusters and do the cleaning/ inspecting procedure to them

Thanks for all the help thus far!

oh and i didn't notice when i first looked at the vehicle because it had the rock guard on there but the inner cv boots are torn.

has anyone replaced theirs before, I kinda have limited tools because all mine are in wisconsin so I just bought a basic wrench and rachet set from harbor fright.

it's pretty easy to change them the only odd tool you would need is a snap ring plier, but you can get these snap rings out with a pair of modified needle nose pliers. Hit up harbor freight for a cheapie and change them out. It sucks to have one of those things break while wheeling.

TOASTY and PA_JERO can comment on the availability of them

I will have to wait until i can drive the car to get the locking lug nuts removed. the previous owner thought the key was in the car... its not.