replacing head gasket
 

so is it completely necessary to have both the block and head machined when replacing the head gasket with a composite one?

oh and im planning on replacing the timing belt and headgasket at the same time. what would be a good timing belt and a good hg?

I used a Fel-Pro and had the head only machined flat. It was only out a few thousanths. Just get the bolts up to ~70 ft.lb. with the new gasket and you should be OK. I sprayed aluminum paint heavily on both sides of the gasket--never had a problem with any HG I've replaced (~30 or so, only 1 Supra).

Agreed. Also, you don't need or want as fine of a finish as is required for a MHG, it gives the head and block more surface area to hold the gasket with.

Aluminum paint?? That's a new one to me. I'd recommend one of the Hylomar gasket dressings (make sure it's one of the formulas specified for head gaskets) or a copper HG spray. The reason for using an actual gasket dressing is that they are formulated NOT to cure and will remain tacky.

alright great and what would be a good headgasket? website?

thank you for your help

does anyone think the felpro hg is worth using? i'm getting the whole top end set for 75 from someone. I was thinking of just buying the toyota hg to put in Any suggestions?

I've never looked at Fel Pro's HG... I've heard mixed reviews and that they, like Toyota, have made several revisions to the HG to ensure better reliability. Personally, I'd stick with Toyota for the HG and use the rest of the Fel Pro set for everything else... but that's just because I've had good results with Toyota HGs.

ya the way i see it, the stock head gasket can last ~100k miles under torqued so i think ill just go with that. how much is a stock hg approximately?

$80 to $90 depending on where you get it, also magauto.com appears to have the cheapest oem parts from what i found

MSRP for Toyota's HG is $113.39. Champion Toyota sells it for $86.18. I'm used to seeing them sell for about $90. The part number is: 11115-42021