Best Rebuild Kit for a 3.4?

[Swimmerboy2112]

I finally got around to start tearing down my spare 3.4L. I was told it lost compression in cyl #3 at around 200,000mi. My money's on the headgasket. Anyway, this will be my first rebuild of any motor and I was curious as to which rebuild kit would be best? I figured OEM would be the best, but I saw LC Engineerings rebuild kit and that caught my eye.

I appreciate all input.

-Brian

 

[txbonds]

Tagging along because I've thought of picking up a spare 3.4 to rebuild for the experience and to eventually replace my current one.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

We will have to compare notes!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Just buy two new aftermarket or used Toyota heads

Engine swap would be cheapest and easiest from what I have read.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

Just buy two new aftermarket or used Toyota heads

Engine swap would be cheapest and easiest from what I have read.

What?

Maybe I worded the first post wrong.

My spare motor is the one that has low compression in cyl #3. Basically I am going to rebuild this spare motor in case either my Tacoma or 4Runner motor goes. So therefore i'm looking for a rebuild kit for this spare motor.

 

[BrianSD_42]

A rebuild when said on this forum can mean many things.

I am not a gear head but when people say rebuild I think they mean replacing the internal parts inside the head itself plus doing the valves, gaskets etc.

So I guess what I'm saying is if you are going to go through the trouble of taking apart the head itself and replacing the Toyota internals with non Toyota, why not just replace the whole head? You can get either type I meantioned above.

A remanufactured head often goes for $350, a brand new JE Head can be bought for $520.


Now if you just have pressure problems perhaps it is just the gasket ...

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

A rebuild when said on this forum can mean many things.

I am not a gear head but when people say rebuild I think they mean replacing the internal parts inside the head itself plus doing the valves, gaskets etc.

So I guess what I'm saying is if you are going to go through the trouble of taking apart the head itself and replacing the Toyota internals with non Toyota, why not just replace the whole head? You can get either type I meantioned above.

A remanufactured head often goes for $350, a brand new JE Head can be bought for $520.


Now if you just have pressure problems perhaps it is just the gasket ...

Again I think we are misunderstanding each other.

When I say rebuild what I mean is a full rebuild i.e. boring out the cylinders, all new pistons, all top end work, etc.

I believe the head itself is fine. A machine shop will be able to determine that though.

I am looking to rebuild the whole motor so basically i'd like to know who makes the best rebuild kit at the best price.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Bump.

I don't know about those kits, sorry.

 

[nissanh]

How many miles on the engine? A cheaper method is to get some OEM standard piston rings on all 6 pistons. Toyota sleeve lasts for almost 5K miles.
Once you open the head, you can see any free play in the pistons with the cylinder bore. If you do not see any significant free play, you should be OK with OEM standard sized piston ring set.

(I've pulled the heads off from about 10 5vzfe engines with 225 to 350 K miles and non of those had a bad free play in pistons)

 

[BrianSD_42]

OP,

What causes you to believe there is a problem with your CYL, pistons etc.

A lot of the time when people post about compression issues it is all related to the heads or head gaskets. Rest of the engine is usually fine.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

OP,

What causes you to believe there is a problem with your CYL, pistons etc.

A lot of the time when people post about compression issues it is all related to the heads or head gaskets. Rest of the engine is usually fine.

I don't think that there is an issue with the bottom end. I believe the low comp was caused by a blown head gasket.

With that being said, while I have this motor on the stand I figured it would be a good idea to re-do the bottom end as well. The motor does have some mileage on it (200K+) and I'd hate to put it in something just to have the bottom end go out on me after a few thousand miles.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

How many miles on the engine? A cheaper method is to get some OEM standard piston rings on all 6 pistons. Toyota sleeve lasts for almost 5K miles.
Once you open the head, you can see any free play in the pistons with the cylinder bore. If you do not see any significant free play, you should be OK with OEM standard sized piston ring set.

(I've pulled the heads off from about 10 5vzfe engines with 225 to 350 K miles and non of those had a bad free play in pistons)

That's reassuring. I take it the bottom end of these motors is pretty strong? This motor has something like 200K give or take 20K on it.

Like you said I'll know more once I take the heads off.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

To the top!

 

[BrianSD_42]

So you are planning to rebuild the bottom end or at least below the heads as a preventive measure?

Lots of people go far above 200k miles after only changing the heads or head gaskets.

I say leave it alone and only worry about the heads .

 

[vipergrhd]

Engine tech kit

Hello Brian,if this is your first time rebuilding an engine i would advise you to find a real good machinist or machine shop.your on the right track if you plan to do most of the job,you have to remember that the machinist will have to do a complete inspection and measurements on what you will need to get your engine running again.LC engineering does have a good kit for less than $900 but if your on a budget i would check out Engine Tech which is the kit that the rebuilder used on my engine,i opted to buy a remanufactured engine from Raptor engines out of Oregon i just got my T4R running last weekend and so far no glitches or any issues. good luck with your rebuild.

 

[BlackCat914]

So you are planning to rebuild the bottom end or at least below the heads as a preventive measure?

Lots of people go far above 200k miles after only changing the heads or head gaskets.

I say leave it alone and only worry about the heads .

You've done a lot but clutter this thread with nonsense. He's looking to rebuild it because HE WANTS to. For the experience, to say he did it, to have the peace of mind to know he did something of that magnitude himself. Not because it's cheaper to buy a new/used one, or because only the cylinder head gasket might be blown.

sorry OP, I don't have any idea about those kits, but I'd be interested in knowing what you find out. I always thought it'd be cool to do something like that.

 

[Hog1983]

Master Rebuild Kit 5VZ 1995-2004 With MLS Head Gaskets Tacoma, 4Runner & Tundra

 

[USMC0351]

Well, since you're tearing it apart and it's a spare.... maybe think about some forged internals, you know, in case you decide to ever do forced induction. Obviously more expensive, but now's the time while it's on the stand and you can take your time assembling it all. It sucks to build a motor then right after install, pick up a turbo setup and have to turn right back around to replace half the rotating assembly lol. If you do rebuild, make it a documentary!

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

Hello Brian,if this is your first time rebuilding an engine i would advise you to find a real good machinist or machine shop.your on the right track if you plan to do most of the job,you have to remember that the machinist will have to do a complete inspection and measurements on what you will need to get your engine running again.LC engineering does have a good kit for less than $900 but if your on a budget i would check out Engine Tech which is the kit that the rebuilder used on my engine,i opted to buy a remanufactured engine from Raptor engines out of Oregon i just got my T4R running last weekend and so far no glitches or any issues. good luck with your rebuild.

This will be my first rebuild by myself. A buddy helped me rebuild my old 22re. I have a local machinist that I trust. I will check out Engibe Tech. Thank you for your help!

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

You've done a lot but clutter this thread with nonsense. He's looking to rebuild it because HE WANTS to. For the experience, to say he did it, to have the peace of mind to know he did something of that magnitude himself. Not because it's cheaper to buy a new/used one, or because only the cylinder head gasket might be blown.

sorry OP, I don't have any idea about those kits, but I'd be interested in knowing what you find out. I always thought it'd be cool to do something like that.

You are correct those are the reasons I want to build this motor. I think Brian just wanted to help so no hard feelings to him as I appreciate what he had to say.