Where did you get your head work done?

I talked to a few of you guys this weekend about my blown head gasket and i'm probably going to go the metal head gasket route as it costs about the same as the stock one and offers a bit more security. I'm just wondering, what shops did right by you and offer decent pricing for lapping a head? No point in giving business to a shady shop if you all have a buddy that works at a reputable one, amirite?

Also, i'm probably going to order the rest of the gaskets off of ebay since it's about $130 cheaper than Autozone and Toyota is not stocking ANY of the parts I need at this time. I just went Friday and they have absolutely nothing. I'll probably go with an aftermarket timing belt and a waterpump from Autozone/Kragen/etc.

I might come out to the meet on Wednesday in Tracy if anyone wants to let me know then.

make shure the ebay seller is a repitable one!!!

nastynguyen wrote:make shure the ebay seller is a repitable one!!!

'I've been looking at a few that are power sellers and have over 30,000 sales and very little negative feedback. Most seem to say "just what i ordered and fast shipping" etc. I'm a bit hesitant as I might get crap, but it looks to be the same thing autozone is selling for $200. I could be wrong though.*crosses fingers*

just be sure u are familiar with the ebay seller's return policy.

personally, i would rather buy from autozone/kragen, even if thye don't have it in stock, can't they just order it from the warehouse for you? its saves you on shipping and if shit goes wrong...it's just a quick drive away.

another site you might want to consider is Rockauto.com
they carry a variety of parts and i've never had a bad experience with them.

take ur head to bamboos they surface ur shit for 30 bucks and go buy yours parts from auto part express for the best deal.

rob ya try to make it out tomorrow night.

auto parts express is no more... sorry to say. i would recommend a local shop for gaskets unless it's hella rare. ( cuzz theres millions of applications out there and %50 of the time they get the wrong shit ) bamboo does a decent job. at a good price... there's also grose motorworks in lodi that does an excellent job on machining but do cost more then double what bamboo will charge.. hope this helps.

L Rock wrote:just be sure u are familiar with the ebay seller's return policy.

personally, i would rather buy from autozone/kragen, even if thye don't have it in stock, can't they just order it from the warehouse for you? its saves you on shipping and if shit goes wrong...it's just a quick drive away.

another site you might want to consider is Rockauto.com
they carry a variety of parts and i've never had a bad experience with them.

I completely forgot about rockauto.com. 

EDSEVEN wrote:take ur head to bamboos they surface ur shit for 30 bucks and go buy yours parts from auto part express for the best deal.

Where would Bamboo's be at? Do they have a website or phone number? Sorry for asking if its general knowledge.

kreativekvs209 wrote:auto parts express is no more... sorry to say. i would recommend a local shop for gaskets unless it's hella rare. ( cuzz theres millions of applications out there and %50 of the time they get the wrong shit ) bamboo does a decent job. at a good price... there's also grose motorworks in lodi that does an excellent job on machining but do cost more then double what bamboo will charge.. hope this helps.

The gaskets aren't rare, it's just that the dealership isn't stocking them. The guy showed me his computer and the OEM head gasket kit (intake, head, turbo, etc) is not in stock anywhere in the USA. Neither is the timing belt. There aren't any distribution centers with them in stock so I'd have to order the whole thing. I'm still a bit wishy washy on the subject as I'm not sure what my power goal is for the long run. 
I just realized I should have replied to all these in one post. 

ok the go to red line auto parts or golobal autopart I am willng to put money on it that they stock ur parts but at a premium. bamboos is located in south side of stockton off of air port way. you can look them up in the phone book bambu auto transmission.

I ment golobal has ur part in stock. u name it they have it.

EDSEVEN wrote:I ment golobal has ur part in stock. u name it they have it.

Found it on rockauto.com for $120 and it's a non-stock part so they have to order it. Say's it'll take 2 days. I'll probably just order everything off of there.

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll probably see you all tonight at Sonic.