Sell or Fix? 3VZE engine

[helo-mech]

I called a guy who I got some parts from recently. He just happen to have a good engine already pulled out and is asking $300.

A good engine that is already pulled is not a good engine to me. If you know and trust the guy and he is wiling to warranty it in writing that it is good, I guess that would be one thing but I have always been leery of using an engine that I didn't see and hear prior to removal. To me this would be a rebuild candidate, which brings us back to his engine that is already in it. If the current engine just needs to have the top end redone then http://www.lceperformance.com/Master-Rebuild-Kit-3RZ-1995-2004-p/1010012.htm. Putting in an unknown 3.0 could just lead to more problems later.

Just my .02.

 

[4runnin83]

I think the only way I would buy another 3.0 or 3.4 would be from a truck that is still running (ie, someone loses title, and cant register truck but its still driveable) or from a reputable shop thats rebuilt it from the longblock up.
Not from some hillbilly who's had it sitting in his back yard for 2 years next to the dog house.

 

[CodeButcher]

Some other guy was suppose to buy it that's why it was pulled out, but they never picked it up. It turns, and has not been sitting very long like a junk yard motor. The owner is a mechanic and has a couple of T4Rs.

 

[mikebontoft]

that sounds reasonable. I got mine for $100 but I can tell you it had been sitting for awhile. gave it new bearing and a timing kit but that was it... I had basically brand new parts I transferred from the bad engine, a very low mileage long block.

 

[CodeButcher]

My buddy got a second opinion on his 94' 3.slo. Another mechanic said it might be bad valves. Which makes sense now. I had broken spring before on my 3.slo. So now he needs to get the heads serviced instead of swapping motors.

If anyone in So Cal needs a motor, let me know, I know a guy with a good long block.