newbie with a '92 Runner

925spdRunner · Aug 5, 2009

Hey, what's up. Name's Dawson, my dad just bought a '92 4Runner today for $150 with a locked up 3VZ-E and employed me to fix/repair the engine. Somebody did a really bad job putting a timing belt in, and it has a big cut in it, all the way lengthwise. It also had the passenger bank cam gear on backwards. :facepalm: Looking to find out about rebuild information, or engine swap info. Oh, btw it is a 5spd with 4WD. It's got no rust, power everything (windows, locks, mirrors), a/c, sunroof, and oversize offroad wheels/tires.

Will update with pics as soon as I can get some.

Bri///M · Aug 6, 2009

Is there something hitting the timing belt? If it is cut I would look for what is causing that problem.

As for the engine swap, I got a long block from nissan instead of rebuilding a bad engine. It all depends on what your timetable is to get it done and how bad the damage is. If you have time, rebuild the engine. I did not have time to send parts out or I would have rebuilt it myself.

fourwd1 · Aug 6, 2009

If you rebuild your engine, engnbldr.com is a good source of parts.

If you do a swap, the 3.4 is the best bet, it'll go in easier.

925spdRunner · Aug 7, 2009

The timing belt cover, we found out, is the culprit. It has a small cut in it, that has been draging agains the belt for some time now. I think this engine may just be done for, I found three 3.0s at the junk yard yesterday, two with bad engines, one with a good engine and bad trans. An engine there is only $125, so we will probably just go that rout. Not in any hurry to get this done, this is not a primary vehicle, we pretty much bought it as a 4wheeler project car.