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I have been calling around and talking to machine shops about my problem with my engine overheating and the radiator fluid getting pumped back into the reservoir. I have a few ideas and I am going to try to fix the head gasket myself. The two questions that I have is how do you surface the head gasket, and can you do a valve job yourself? Has anyone ever replaced the head gasket by themselves for the first time and if you have can you give me some pointers. Thank you for yall help.

Some tips on the 76-80 models. Have replaced many. Disconnecting things (hoses, wire connectors fuel lines, cam chain and sprocket etc.) is pretty obvious.
Some tips--pull the head with the carb and exhaust and intake manifolds in place. Disconnect manifold at the exhaust pipe and lift the whole assembly off at once. Remember the small bolt that holds the EGR pipe clamp behind and below the rear of the head.
If you need to machine surface the head, manifolds will have to come off of coarse as well as the cam assy. I'm talking here of head gasket replace only.
Definately get a repair manual to show you the steps before you start.
I'm just telling some short cuts that I used all the time.

I've definitely gotten my moneys worth out of mine. its the first place i look when i need help and the guys round here have more then enough experience to fill in any thing you might not understand, hope you get'er fixed soon

sure its your head gasket thats givin you gruff?

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1979 4x4 LUV, rebuilt 1.8 and 27" bald tires

its not that hard to do a head gasket job. keep in mind you surface the head not the gasket. a machine shop can tell you if its warped and needs surfaced and they are the only ones who can do a valve job because the valve grind equipment is so expensive. other than that buy a repair manual and it will walk you through pretty easily on your timing chain and torque setting. piece of cake...have fun

You can remove the valves from the head and hand lap them. Its only a process to check that the valves make contact with the seats all the way around. Will give you a good guide as to the heads serivcability. While your doing it you can put in the new valve stem seals as well.

The more you do yourself the more you dont have to pay someone else to do. There was a time where it was everyones first head gasket job.


Either the book above or better still a dedicated factory shop manual for your model Luv off ebay.

The Haynes book is probably better to start you off, its a bit more in sequence for a specifit process and its a more simplified approach. Or best of both world get one of each book.


Cheers, Bob.

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Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

welcome man! I am new to fixing the luv too and had to replace the head gasket last year. It wasn't too bad/hard. Everyone here helped a lot. check out the thread at

http://forums.luvtruck.com/viewtopic.ph ... ead+gasket

Good luck!

one thing I always make sure of when you are putting the head back on is to blow out the head bolt hols. if there is junk in them your head bolts can bottom out and give you a false torque reading. also but a little oil on the threads head and washer so you get a correct torque reading.

these two items can keep you form doing the head gasket a second time.

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Did a v8 conversion in 1981 on my '76 luv
Current Fleet
#1 1980 Black 2wd, #2 1980 Blue 2wd, #3 1980 Black 4x4 #4 1980 black 2wd Long bed #5 1979 black 4x4 #6 1977 red 2WD
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