Blown Head Gasket - could use advice
Runner-Man
05/23/22 01:58 AM
So I could use some advice.
I've got an 89 4Runner with 22RE. Original short block, pushing about 400K. Doesn't smoke, does leak some oil, but not too bad, about 1/2 quart between changes (3,000 miles). She's got an 'Enginebuilder' head and cam, replaced about 50,000 miles ago when my old head burned a valve. A few months ago I was idling the truck at a drive through and noticed it was getting HOT, so I pulled out and drove around the parking lot until she cooled back down. Replaced defective fan clutch, and it's been good since (4,700 miles).
Truck was running pretty good up until about two weeks ago, when all of the sudden it stumbles a bit as I slowed to make a turn. Then I noticed a LOT of white smoke. Temperature was normal. I was less than a mile from home so I drove it on and parked it. Turned it over by hand the next day and it had coolant in the rear cylinder.
I've pulled the head, and the gasket came apart. Pictures are attached.
Now for the question: Should I just check the head and block for 'flat', get a new gasket and put 'er back together? Should I get a machine shop to deck the head? Should I just go for the full monty and rebuild the entire engine?
I lean toward waiting on the full rebuild until the weather cools down and my daughter and I don't need an 'adventure' vehicle. Just today we couldn't get to a potential swimming hole in my Nissan Altima - which already looked mighty funny with a canoe on it.
Thanks in advance!