Hello-
my 2.7 in my 98 4runner started burning some coolant in cylinder #1. I contemplated replacing with a used or rebuilt one, but ultimately decided to remove it and rebuild it.

I pulled the engine out, stripped it down to the block and head assy. I dropped the engine off at the machine shop, and asked them to do an evaluation on it. They told me that it was "the cleanest 200K + mile engine they have seen in a while."

They did recommend a rebuild, but I figured that anyway. I reassembled everything except the bottom end and they installed the valves etc. I let them do that (although I don't really know why). When I got the engine back, I had to determine the size of the shims necessary to get proper valve clearance. That was exciting in it's own right.

I got the engine bored .50mm over, and had all the necessary work done for the engine to last another 200k miles. I bought parts from all over, from eBay, RockAuto.com, alot from Toyota, and a few locally.

I went all out- replaced the leaking oil pan (leaking from weld where the bottom sump area is welded to the rest of the pan), replaced the water pump, oil pump, radiator, timing set, new hoses, engine and transmission mounts, rebuilt the starter and everything else in between.

I spent a ton of money, and it took almost 10 weeks to complete (most of that was in the machine shop, they took alot longer than originally anticipated) but I got MY engine back, the one that has had all of its services when they are due, and not some engine that came from a junkyard with unknown adventures. Part of my issue was finding a used one that was CA emissions. Apparently, my head was 8 port, and not 4 port. I think that is one difference between CA and Federal emissions. I also learned that my starter is the "bigger" of the 2 designs. Possibly from the difference between auto and manual transmissions?

I was under the hood yesterday, and did notice that the harmonic balancer has a little wobble to it. I did buy the special tool to get that thing torqued to 193 ft/lbs, but it looks like the balancer did not survive this major surgery. Oh well, one more part to buy.

Unfortunately, I did not take a lot of pictures, but I did learn alot about my truck and the differences it has between other 4runners.

I still need to replace the broken stud on the LF wheel, replace the cracked IPC lense, and find a better front shock to replace the real bouncy ones that currently reside there. But it is nice to have my truck back on the road.

I really wish i had the knowledge to do this. what a major undertaking. be proud of it and drive it for another 20 years.

Yeah I was stoked when it basically started up without much hesitation. I unplugged the coils and cranked it for a minute or 2 and then it fired right up. I think there were people placing bets on how bad it would turn out.

With a baby on the way, I don't have the means to get a new car, and who would want to anyway, with driving a 3rd gen 4runner!

Very, very cool. Please post pictures!!

I can't wait to pull my 3RZ someday and rebuild it.