3.0L headgasket

[DVS 4Runner]

3.0L headgasket suddenly went yesterday afternoon. Just finished putting on some Bushwhacker flares on and I started it up while I moved all the cars behind it out of the way. It looked a bit smokey but I thought it was just because it hadn't been started in a few days and it was cold out.

I took it for a run to the gas station and filled it with some 91. Then from every stop sign and redlight acceleration was sluggish and there was a wall of white smoke blanketing over the cars behind me....pretty embarrassing

I took it home and parked it while running while I moved some more cars around and when I came back to it there was so much smoke I could barely see the truck at all. I could taste the coolant in the air. The truck also never read past the halfway mark on the temp gauge. I guess the thermo was wide open.

I planned on selling it but now I think I'll have a go at changing the headgasket on it. I've read the horror stories on here from people doing this job themselves but I haven't seen any step by steps with pics so I'll be posting my experience with pictures along the way if I go ahead with it this weekend and also if it's alright with everyone.

Here's pics of my 4Runner as it sits today...

 

[DVS 4Runner]

So here's where the headgasket failed...anyone know which cylinder this is?

And there was a pool of oil around this sensor. Is this the knock sensor??

 

[fourwd1]

Sucks, but that's the 3.slow for you.

 

[04 sc V8]

If that cylinder is the furthest one forward then it's #1
Yes that is the Knock sensor.