I have mixed feelings onnwhat to suggest. But based on your current situation and need to keep the costs low, pull the heads and check to see if it's just a gasket or if the heads are cracked. If they're good, resurface the heads, do the gaskets, and I'd suggest a valve adjustment. If they're cracked, just look for an affordable used engine.

Sorry to hear man, you haven't had good luck with these things huh? Hopefully this is the end of your bad luck streak.

Yeah. I love my runner. And I loved the old one. Still wish that hoe hadn't it smashed it up. Actually just got news today that the insurnace company is suing her for full payment....
But the last one ran amazingly no problems at all. Gets smashed so I find what I thought was a better one. Lower miles. Better options. 4wd. Owned by a Toyota guy....nope starts blowing smoke.
But hey gotta learn somewhere. Im young. I'll work my tail off and pay to fix this one and hopefully keep it for quite a few years.

OK. So plan going forward is to search for a quality replacement. Save dough. Once those both fall into reasonable line with each other pull the heads and pressure check for cracks and warpage. Then go from There. Sound pretty solid?

I had this same issue and now I have two complete JE heads. They are aftermarket from Japan and cost $800 per side.

I can't easily post a link from my phone but if go to my build thread (link in SIG) then you will find out about my whole ordeal ..

Alright so I got another question for you guys.

I've heard that Toyota changed the head gasket material after 97 I want to say. Can anyone confirm this?

And should I look for one after that change to avoid this same headache down the road?

Alright so.....I found a deal. I believe, local part out on Craigslist. Guy parting out a 96 Tacoma with 171,000. It was wrecked, he is the third owner and knows the other two personally he said. Also said it has been maintained and is still installed and able to start up and run

And he only wants 300 bucks for the motor.

So I'm thinking i could pick it up and then inspect the heads. If there bad swap in the high mileage and roll with it?
Does that seem smart?

Also. Didn't ask about the tb/wp. But the one on mine is only 20,000 miles old. Could it be swapped over in event of the motor swap?

And he just sent me a video of it starting up and running. Ill try to post it up.



That should take you to the video.

Bump?

For $300, I'd give it a shot. Even if it dies in a year, it's still not a bad deal assuming you reuse your existing TB/WP. You will probably need a new WP gasket though.

I'd go for it.

So you think its worth picking it up? Anything I should listen/look for when I get it.

For $300, if you don't use it, you can always sell it and at least get your money back (probably make money). Since it's still in the truck and the guy says it runs, I'd definitely listen to it, rev it up and make sure it doesn't have any weird knocks or ticks (besides the normal Toyota "sewing machine" sound that the engine makes). I'd make sure that price includes him pulling it out of his truck too.

Alright. Thanks Brian. I will definitely listen to it. And will make sure of the price,

You could always pick up the used motor and replace the head gasket, tb, and wp while it is out of the vehicle - much easier that way.

That could really extend it's life, although not sure its worth it to you at this point.

Good luck - keep us posted on the progress!

So what was the outcome of this???

Did the $300 include removal of the tacoma engine?