Cylinder head cracked, what to do moving forward?

rossgoldie

rossgoldie

New member
Long story short, my truck started misfiring a few days ago. I paid a shop to look at it and they came back with at least a broken head gasket. Possible cracked head. They don't know until they tear it apart.

As much as I am hoping for just the head gasket, there is a high chance the head is cracked. The slimy mechanic used by my parents (when the truck was theirs) did the head gasket 30k miles ago. I am damn near positive he didn't machine the head flat, thus creating a good chance for a cracked head. (correct me if I am wrong).

So I have been quoted 3,700 for a head replacement, or 4900 for a low miles engine swap. I would do the engine swap myself if it was not for the fact that as an Aerospace Engineering student, I have no time whatsoever for an endeavor that large.

What should I do? The truck has 245k miles on it. Time to sell? Worth the engine replace? I want to hear your thoughts.
 
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rossgoldie said:
Long story short, my truck started misfiring a few days ago. I paid a shop to look at it and they came back with at least a broken head gasket. Possible cracked head. They don't know until they tear it apart.

As much as I am hoping for just the head gasket, there is a high chance the head is cracked. The slimy mechanic used by my parents (when the truck was theirs) did the head gasket 30k miles ago. I am damn near positive he didn't machine the head flat, thus creating a good chance for a cracked head. (correct me if I am wrong).

So I have been quoted 3,700 for a head replacement, or 4900 for a low miles engine swap. I would do the engine swap myself if it was not for the fact that as an Aerospace Engineering student, I have no time whatsoever for an endeavor that large.

What should I do? The truck has 245k miles on it. Time to sell? Worth the engine replace? I want to hear your thoughts.
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your focus is on school man, not your truck... 250k miles, it's served its life. what year? do you have access to another vehicle until you finish your studies?
 
I hate to tell you to use the search function, because it's so cliche -- but there are literally hundreds of similar threads in the 3rd gen section.

High-level

1) Get the HG replaced and heads checked. If the heads are cracked, you have to replace them at the same time as the HG job. Which heads to buy is a whole topic on its own (I think [MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] always recommends where he got his heads from). If not cracked, you should get them machined while off, as you already know. While in that deep, there are a ton of other jobs that can be done at the same time.. i.e. a valve job on the head, timing belt water pump etc etc.

2) Junkyard motor swap

3) JDM motor swap

4) Rebuilt motor swap (Companies like Jasper engines include a warranty on the rebuilt motor, etc).

Don't you love how fun this scenario is already?

What sucks is you don't sound like you have the time to really go in depth on all the options and the research that it all requires... we would hate for you to have to pay $5k for the swap (In a vehicle not even worth $5k most likely) being a student and knowing that there are cheaper options out there, assuming you have the time to pursue them.

Great question by the poster before me. Can this thing sit until you are on Summer break?
 
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shahsmerdis said:
your focus is on school man, not your truck... 250k miles, it's served its life. what year? do you have access to another vehicle until you finish your studies?
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1996, I'm really attached to it is the thing. I'm in that pickle where do I spend the money getting a brand new engine into my truck that I know. Or spend the money on a "new to me" vehicle and pray it does not have any issues to fix. This is my only mode of transportation aside from the bus.
 
amalik said:
Great question by the poster before me. Can this thing sit until you are on Summer break?
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No, I need it to get my ass and all my shit home for Summer unfortunately. In the end of the day, I have put about 3k into it over the last summer for upgrades and such. As I said to another post; do I take the lesser of the two evils and keep the vehicle I know (call it 10k to make the truck "new again" with new motor and then new tranny when mine goes out), or risk it and buy another vehicle (and pray that one doesn't need fixing).


If only I wasn't so goddamn attached to this thing...
 
I'll sell you my extra set of head s if you want them man. I'll need more than a head gasket job so I have an extra set.
 
The heads are an easy swap...If you can carve out 1 day in your schedule you can have it all done assuming you prepared your self with needed parts and good heads. Depending on your timing belt situation, I'd consider getting that done while your in there.

I have a set of good heads as well, the PS head has two bad exhaust valve seats, but other than that they are good to go. So if you end up not getting them from the other dude let me know.
 
ajonesnv said:
The heads are an easy swap...If you can carve out 1 day in your schedule you can have it all done assuming you prepared your self with needed parts and good heads. Depending on your timing belt situation, I'd consider getting that done while your in there.

I have a set of good heads as well, the PS head has two bad exhaust valve seats, but other than that they are good to go. So if you end not getting them from the other dude let me know.
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Yup! I currently have no prior experience working inside the engine. Trying to work out a weekend in which my friend can help/teach me. Timing belt has 30k on it so I'm not even going to think about it right now.
 
rossgoldie said:
No, I need it to get my ass and all my shit home for Summer unfortunately. In the end of the day, I have put about 3k into it over the last summer for upgrades and such. As I said to another post; do I take the lesser of the two evils and keep the vehicle I know (call it 10k to make the truck "new again" with new motor and then new tranny when mine goes out), or risk it and buy another vehicle (and pray that one doesn't need fixing).


If only I wasn't so goddamn attached to this thing...
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Tow it with it packed.
 
I'd sell it and buy a 2wd 86 pickup with a 22R in it and 4 speed manual transmission to drive around.

That's what I did. Well, without the selling my 4Runner part.
 
unrealii said:
ebay has several 5vz engines. That would be much cheaper than paying the shop to fix the old one.
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The only reason I am even thinking about paying a shop is because as an engineering student, I have no time. Having said that, if I can round up some buddies, I will be nabbing one of those low-miles engines
 
rossgoldie said:
The only reason I am even thinking about paying a shop is because as an engineering student, I have no time. Having said that, if I can round up some buddies, I will be nabbing one of those low-miles engines
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Don't do it. That's the other thing you'd find if you searched :), the forum is full of JDM horror stories. If there's nothing with your bottom end, there's no reason to pull the motor. Grap one of those sets of heads upthread from a forum member you trust not to lie to you about miles and history.

That's assuming you need new heads though.
 
I had no idea about the JDM horror stories. Sorry for giving bad advice.

Perhaps look for a certified mechanic who does work on the side.
 
KidVermicious said:
Don't do it. That's the other thing you'd find if you searched :), the forum is full of JDM horror stories. If there's nothing with your bottom end, there's no reason to pull the motor. Grap one of those sets of heads upthread from a forum member you trust not to lie to you about miles and history.

That's assuming you need new heads though.
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The thing is, he's in a bit of a catch 22

Can't find out the head condition unless they pull it and show to a machine shop, which will either be done when he pays for it or is already doing the work anyway.
 
You need to inspect your JDM Engine before buying. This is why I recommend going to a JDM Engine dealer that is local to you that has a good rep. My engine came straight off the truck so I saw how clean it was. Then, they ran compression tests on it. It's been fantastic in the few months I've been hammering it. My mechanic has done a bunch of VG33 swaps using JDM engines for a bunch of Parhfinders. All running great. Again, go to a local place and inspect the engine. There are some shithead JDM dealers that want to sell you a flood engine(JDM engine depot comes to mind), so beware of the bad dealers. It's very cost effective if you are smart about it.
 
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