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Most of my tech's worked for the local Toyota dealers & along with myself did plenty of head gaskets on 3.0L's. All of the warr.3.0L gasket jobs never got new head bolts. This "Dealer" trend has carried over to the independent shops. But it's true Toyota's factory repair manual recommends charging customers for all new head bolts.This add's over $100.00 to the bill & we can't tell the customer it will make a diff.or not. What I'm saying is much of this is a "judgement call" & knowing the beast your working on helps. In your case pulling the head & replacing gaskets & head bolts will be the cure most likely.


This isn't a valid reason here for not replacing them, and wont keep a shop rom having to redo the job at their cost, if you were to file a claim against them in court. The FSM recommends it therefore they should replace them, not leave it up to a judgement call, it has nothing to do with knowing the individual beast you are working on. Also the tech posting above will show exactly why a shop should replace the headbolts and not leave it up to chance. They are betting/hoping the old headbolts will work, and if they don't work you will just blame the engine and sell the truck.

More than tread lightly. Leave it like you were never there, nor anyone else.
'90 X-cab 4.88's 33 BFG AT's, rr ARB, Headers, Ignition upgrade, cold air induction.
'91 X-cab 5.29's 315's BFG MT's, rr ARB, custom bumper and flatbed