My 1991 Toyota Starlet, EP81, 2E was run into the red and the radiator exploded. The head gasket was actually blown long before this point, but I only realised the symptoms after this catastrophic event occurred.
I've stripped the engine down to the block now and am attempting to change the head gasket, machine the head, clean everything up and put it all back together again. However, before I do any of that I want to know whether it's worth it. I've cleaned up the block sufficiently to put a straight edge across it, see photo. There are no gaps in all other directions except when placed horizontally as in the photo. There appears to be a gap between the 2nd and 3rd cylinder, at 16cm in the photo.
Does this mean the block has warped and that there's not a lot I can do about this? Or is this normal and the head gasket will expand to fill that gap? Also, does the block look clean enough or is more work needed there?
Any tips welcome. Cheers
