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Changing a headgasket usually takes a weekend to do worth of labor, it isn't too bad and i've helped alot of people. Some 4cylinders are harder than some v6's and vice versa. My advice is to get a factory service manual, it might be spendy but it will be way more accurate. Usually the procedure goes as follows (this is just a quick summary)
1.Look and plan first, gather tools and get an idea of how bad of a project (being a toyota they aren't that terribly bad.
2. Tear the head off, while taking apart look for obvious stuff that will be needed to be replaced, fix stuff now while its easy to get at, before it will cost you alot of money down the road.
3.Check the block out, how does the bore look, does it look sludgey? does it look like it will clean up?
4.Take the head into a machine shop. This is why the previous owner of my nissan failed at his gasket change project, a 4 banger head costs about $90 to clean, pressure check, and machine down in my area.
5. Assemble, just remember it doesn't need to go together asap, take your time, do it right the first time.
Good luck. It shouldn't be too terribly expensive to do. Just remember its always cheaper than a new car, unless your fixing up something that is just prone to be junk...
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