hey guys...about how much does it cost to replace a blown head gasket?

I am dealing with that problem right now. I was quoted 3 different prices around $3000.00. So I decided to do the work myself and so far it is going to cost about $300.00. If you now anything about cars, do it yourself and save yourself $2700.00. Make sure NOT to put a Toyota headgasket back on, you will have the same problem again. I suggest a HKS metal headgasket.

I think I'll jump in here on the BHG issue and throw some things around for comment. First, A special tool is needed to hold the crank pulley from turning while losening the nut. Have it made? Also special maching is needed to install metal gasket and it is for a racing engine only; one that will be rebuilt often. Comments?

<EOM>

I have talked about my BHG with a lot of people. Everyone I have talked to about this has told me to put on a metal head gasket. This is from actual Toyota machanics to Supra lovers all over North America; totalling about 30 people. Not one of them has told me to put on the paper gasket; the mechanics I have talked to said I would be fool to put on a paper gasket. I even asked if this could be done to a daily driver and they said yes. So I don't think all these people would be wrong about the metal gasket. I have done plenty of research on the BHG topic. There is even a web site to have Toyota recall the paper head gasket. The engine is too much for a paper head gasket. Thier is my 2 cents..!!..

How hard is it to really replace the factory gasket with a metal gasket, and do you need to do any machining, or any special tools.

It is not that hard; basically you are changing head gaskets. No specail tools and no special machining. There is one note to the machining though; the machinist you have do it has to make sure he gets the head smooth. If you are serious about chaging the gasket go to sonic's web site and read all about it. The guy who runs the site is a Toyota mechanic and knows a lot about the BHG problem.

Cool Thanks