rebuilding a head isnt that hard just plan on spending money on the proper tools.
oh and depending on what you do you might need the services of a qualified machine shop. If your not going crazy boost you dont need a rebuilt head. and unless you are certain you will be able to disassemble your engine and put everything back together, be careful. It worries me that you want to rebuild your head yourself but say you dont know alot about the basic engine design eg if the tc has dohc.

 

It worries me to, but I was able to replace the bands in my tranny of an 03 for escort a few yrs back.. All I did was read a few strands and ask a few questions. I have no clue what I'm doing but I just bought a bunch of stuff (cam shafts springs valves) other crap too.. If the tap I'm hearing meant more power I'd leave it alone.. I'll take any legit info anyone has..

 

Get a manual. You can find Scion tC repair manuals online, just make sure you get a full one. They basically detail the entire process of pulling, adjusting, assembly, etc. of any part on the car.

You'll definitely want some things in the process too:

-Breaker Bar
-Partner
-Engine Hoist (necessary)
-Engine Stand
-Part Cups (labeled, so nothing is lost)
-Time, lots of time

Edit:
If you do take it to a machine shop, have the head ported and flowed, oh and decked too. Also, if you have the cash to throw around, look into upgrading to oversize pistons and connecting rods. After pulling the engine, it isn't too much extra work. You'll need a shop to bore out the cylinders too though, which can take a few weeks.

 

I'm not looking at going fully built.. Just wanna replace the head.. Get a cleaner sounding better running car.. I'm only working with about 7K.. Need a body kit, need retractable license plate, need new tails, need custom fabric, and gauges. I know the motor will save me, but I like to look nice too.. Where are you from btw?

 

for sure get the service manual or go to toyota's TIS website,

https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/

I have logged on there a few times, you have to pay but you can do a 2 day pass for 15 bucks and print out the needed info. once you get the needed service manual see what tools it recomends for the job. tneely's list is a good start, also look to get

-quality torque wrench
-correct valve spring compressor
- torque angle gauge
- assembly lube

there may be some "specialty tools" that the service manual will say you need that you might be able to use something else instead. as well have a super clean place to do the rebuild, and be sure to double check important things as well. when i did the rebuild on the caddy v8 i had swapped exhaust and cam sprocket on on side of the head, luckily caught it before i got to far to fix it.

Good luck as well there allot of satisfaction that comes from starting an engine that you put all the parts back together on.

 

Ok, good luck! If you're just going to pull the head, don't lift the entire engine out. It is much easier to reassemble and get back in if you don't take it out all the way. If your tC is older and rusty, have lots of patience; one of my subframe bolts was stuck, became stripped, and I had to hand-saw it off for an hour.



<-- Michigan

 

Mines 2006 in great shape.. Putting on Megan coilovers this weekend.. Yea it's dumb that you'd need to hoist it at all. Someone said there was something in the way of it pulling right off..

 

SO just curious - the only thing holding you back was the passive timing chain guide? (the one closer to the exhaust side) If oen was to not care about the timing chain, or this guide (basically jus break the guide in half) could the head be pulled in the car? Basically ZI needa pull the head off the motor in the car, but the rest of the block is trash, so I couldnt care less about damaging the timing chain, cover, or guides

 

So i just went and looked at the dissassembed motor I have in the garage - I see what youre talking about - for me I think Id be good - just use a long screwdriver and beat the plastic guide till it breaks in half

 

Hmm.. Well if it's like a 10$ part than hell I'll smash it apart. But will I be able to reassemble it properly..? (logically: if you need to break something to repair it :: you need to break something to put it back together.. Eh? I'm not pulling the motor for a head.. No way-no way.. Love the reviews on my question.. All of your input is great!

 

If I knew how to add a pic I'd show my 2.5" drop I did.

 

LOL sorry I was just thinking out loud - the reason I dont care if I break the guide is because the motor is not going to be re-used. I just want the quickest way to pull the head off the motor in the car - the shortblock has a piece of rebar shoved through it lol - Im gunna use the head with the motor I have in my garage that Im building. Id go ahead and just pull the motor, but I dont wanna have the car stuck on jack stands in the garage for over a month while I wait on machine work and ceramic coating.