I saw the headgasket thread around here somewhere recently and intentionally didn't post to brag about how reliable my truck has been in fear of jinxing myself.

Well, guess what? It's headgasket time! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here are the stats. It's a 22re with close to 270,000 miles on it. The first timing chain was replaced at 105,000 and replaced leaking valve guide seals. I put a TRD cam in at around 130,000 or so. Other than that, the motor has never been opened up and never given me any troubles.

Here is what I want to do... EB's new RV head with O/S valves, new head bolts (necessary?), new timing chain, new oil & water pump, clean/balance the injectors and replace the alternator fluid (it's never been changed). I'll put the OEM headers back on and get rid of those POS LC headers (free if you want to pick them up and torture yourself with their overpriced science project gone bad).

I'm having the labor done by a guy I have wheeled with a time or two that is a mechanic at a local Toyota dealership. I don't have the time, the room or the patience to do this myself. I think I probably could do it if I had to, but it would take months.

I'm also in California and have to be weary of the smog nazis. I fail every time and it always points to high combustion chamber temperatures. A new cat will help me squeak by, but obviously something else is wrong. EGR was new last year as were both O2 sensors. The truck pings quite a bit. When I did a compression test on it, the numbers were just a bit higher than stock. I don't have the info here in front of me but I want to say they were either 173 or 183 +/- 2. If stock was 170, then my readings were 173. If stock was 180, my readings were 183. I have tried everything shy of waving a dead chicken over my head while dancing at midnight under a full moon to get rid of any carbon build up and nothing has worked. So, while the head is off, that will be cleaned up.

Like everyone, I want a little more snort out of my truck. Putting my old head back on will save a bundle of money. Will the RV head make that much of a difference considering I have a TRD cam now and will the o/s valves have an adverse effect on smog stuff? I figure the injectors are due for a cleaning no matter what. I'm up in the air as to whether to go all OEM parts (aside from the head) or to source aftermarket parts. I know that EB sells good stuff and haven't heard a single complaint. However, it's hard to argue against OEM parts that have lasted this long.

What about boring the TB over by 3mm. Do people still do that? Is it worthwhile to do?

Any and all ideas or opinions are appreciated. If uncle sam doesn't like the money that I sent him last year and he decides to send a bunch of it back to me, I'll have this done much sooner.

Edit-I just talked to my wrench and he thinks going aftermarket, such as with EB's stuff, is the best way to go. That question is answered.