Head gasket issues for 3vze

[4runnerRod]

I have a 1991 4 runner which has has blown its head gasket 4 times. I found out that there was a recall for the model year that i have and Toyota was good enough to pay for the repair. ONCE!!!
Since the problem persists, i am interested in getting another engine for it but i want to avoid the same issue with the new engine. I would like to know what engine to replace it with. The engine i have is a 3.0L 3vze 6 cyl. Is it very difficult to match up if i get a much newer engine? or are there 3vze's that do not have the head gasket issues? Help please. Any info will be helpful.

 

[02sport]

id say go for the 3.4 swap if you can...way better than the 3.slow......here's a thread of someone whos done it....looks like a BIG job though ...but guess it IS possible
couple more links
here and here ...as for the hg issues, ive heard some folks have good luck while others had nightmares.....mines been done 65k ago and so far so good....keeping my fingers crossed
good luck if you decide to tackle it

 

[mikes4runner]

It was just the head gaskets that were the issue not the heads or block themselves. If you get a new rebuilt engine you should not have the problem since the gaskets will be new.If you yank one from a salvage yard check them out. I had mine done under the recall and have not had a problem since. 4 times seems fishy.How many miles you got on it?.

The 3.4L swap is common this is what I will do when I lay the 3.0L to rest. There is alot about this swap on Yotatech.com. just use the search.