The 1996 Toyota Tacoma came equipped with seven different trim levels and either a 2.4-liter or a 3.4-liter engine. Whether you have a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel engine, changing the gasket in the Tacoma is relatively similar. This is generally a job for a professional technician since it requires the removal of most of the engine automobile parts. However, if you have some experience with engine repair you can do it yourself in a few hours.
Give your Toyota Tacoma a few hours to cool down. Disconnect the battery terminal ground cables. Place a clean jug under the radiator to catch the coolant when it drains. If the coolant is clean, reuse the fluid.
Label and attach a tag to each component for identification. Disconnect the exhaust pipe off of manifold. Lift the air cleaner assembly from the automobile, including the hoses. Drape the carburetor with a clean cover. Empty the motor oil. Disconnect the heater hoses, accelerator cable and wires: cold mixture heater wire, temperature indicator, fuel cut solenoid valve and water temperature gauge sender.
Disconnect the various lines and hoses: charcoal canister, brake booster, main fuel line, fuel return line, vacuum switching valve including the bracket. Remove the engine harness, distributor, spark plugs, valve cover and bracket for the power steering unit.
Use the crank pulley bolt to pivot the engine to the right until the piston sits at Top Dead Center. Take off the semi-circular plug, cam sprocket bolt and glide the distributor gear and the spacer from the cam. Keep the chain connected to the sprocket. Sit the sprocket on the vibration damper. Tie a piece of wire to the chain to hold it up away from the engine. Remove the bolt of the timing chain cover.
Undo the cylinder head bolt in sequence recommend by Toyota. Consult a Tacoma repair manual for the appropriate pattern. Allow for two or three passes for the bolts to come off. Lift the cylinder head and worn gasket. Sit the cylinder head on a worktable. Use a screwdriver if you have trouble lifting the gasket out of place. Clean and scrape the area well, mating surface.
Place liquid sealer on the block's front corners and position the new head gasket. Align the gasket with dowel for correct positioning. Place the rocker arm assembly on top of the dowels. Position the mounting bolts of the cylinder head. Torque the bolts in three passes. The bolts appropriate tightness is 58 foot-pounds. Consult a Tacoma manual for the correct sequence and torque specification.
Replace the chain cover belt to 9 foot-pounds. Engine should be set to Top Dead Center. Place the sprocket on the camshaft dowel. Replace the distributor and cam thrust plate. Replace all other engine parts back on the Tacoma, including assemblies, lines, hoses, wires and cables. Check with a repair manual for the torques specifications for the rest of the bolts. Assure all hoses are snug in place and are not loose.
Reconnect the battery cables. Replace the motor oil and coolant. Turn on the engine to warm-up. Adjust timing and check fluid levels. Test the vehicle to assure proper operation. Look for any leaks.
Clean the cylinder head and mating surface of the gasket. Inspect the area for leaks, dents, crack or defects. Position the No.1 piston in Top Dead Center or TDC by turning the crankshaft. Install a new gasket and position the cylinder head. Use new mounting bolt on the cylinder head.
