1989 Corolla help...

[dave68]

Hi Folks,

I am being given a 1989 Toyota Corolla with only 139k on it. I have not seen it yet - and have told it needs either "The head welded, or a new head gasket."

I have no idea about either of these fixes ... and am wondering about the cost.

Can anyone comment on the cost or practicality of either? Should I consider one, but not the other? Is welding the head good, bad or just a way to fix things? I'd love to know how much to expect to pay to have a new head gasket put on.

If I can fix this car for cheap, I'd love to keep it. It has a lot of good parts.

Any comments or suggestions would really help.

Thanks much,
cheers,
dave

[flav]

The best thing a 89 Corolla has is the engine, its simply fantastic. This way, I tell you know dont invest big money in a new head gasket and even less in a welded one, its "bread for today but hunger for tomorrow"
You can find a head gasket in a junkyard for no more than 30 bucks and when even it was from a Corolla with more than 190K, it will be for sure, for 100K miles more.
Trust me.

[Oz]

Don't fix head gaskets on the cheap. Get a GOOD job done. They will just break again - ask Katwoman (who owns a Neon that has had about 4 head gaskets go).

[TekPhobia]

Originally Posted by flav

The best thing a 89 Corolla has is the engine, its simply fantastic. This way, I tell you know dont invest big money in a new head gasket and even less in a welded one, its "bread for today but hunger for tomorrow"
You can find a head gasket in a junkyard for no more than 30 bucks and when even it was from a Corolla with more than 190K, it will be for sure, for 100K miles more.
Trust me.

You on crack? You don't go to a junkyard for a used head gasket!!! That's like relying on a used condom....just ain't cool.

You want a NEW gasket so it can crush into the shape of the head as well as fill in any voids -- something a used gasket won't do.

-Tim

[SUPERCOROLLA]

Just But The Gaskit Form Autozone It A Heada Gaskit Set It Has All The Gaskits U Will Need .y Will Also Need The Head Resurface Got To A Shop Like Napa A Maching Shop It Like 60bucks If It Dohc May Me Less
If U Have No Automotive Exp. U Will Need To Pay For This Job To Be Done It Not Easy At All If U Pay Some One To Do This Your Looking At 360-400 Bucks Let Me Know Who It Goes

[SUPERCOROLLA]

Just But The Gaskit Form Autozone It A Heada Gaskit Set It Has All The Gaskits U Will Need .y Will Also Need The Head Resurface Got To A Shop Like Napa A Maching Shop It Like 60bucks If It Dohc May Me Less
If U Have No Automotive Exp. U Will Need To Pay For This Job To Be Done It Not Easy At All If U Pay Some One To Do This Your Looking At 360-400 Bucks Let Me Know It Goes

[twincamguy]

Just replace the engine, its like $400 bucks or something. Contact K.watanabe over in Lynwood CA. But if you want to replace the gasket dont go to Autozone or Pepboys. Go to the dealer.

Peace

[|PuNiSh3R|]

Hmmm.. Look at the car.. make sure you seriously want to keep it.. that the body is in good shape.. no rust on the body or under side.. etc etc.. It's definitly gonna be a fix'er up'er I'd say.. So decide if you want to learn how to work on the girl or not.

If you plan on keeping it and fixing it up.. the engine will take a ton of abuse.. do you know if it is fuel injected (4A-FE) or carbureted (4A-F)?

If it's the carb'd engine.. which is the same that I have.. I know that it will take a TON of abuse.. specially if the engine is in decent shape to begin with. SO if you want to invest the money in it.. go for it.. You can make it pretty damn fast for what it is.

Get a genuine TRD (Toyota) head gasket if you decide to fix it.. I would get new head bolts as well.. You may just want to look into dropping a 7A-FE head in at the same time.