Swapping in a new-to-me engine.

D

davemw

New member
Hi Guys,
Long time lurker, with a few posts here. Just wanted to throw this out there and get some feedback.
My truck is a 99 3.4l 4runner with a 2nd gen supercharger on it. It's got about 220k miles on it and I have the chance to pick up a used (140k miles) engine with all accessories for pretty cheap.

Before I put the new-to-me engine in I'm planning to do the following:
Timing Belt
Water pump
Cam seals
Rear Main
Low temp thermostat (for Super charger)
New Belts all around
New Clutch
Swap the Supercharger on
URD 7th injector kit
Fuel Filter
New shifter bushing and seat

I'll probably change all the drivetrain fluids as well.

Am I missing anything that would be easy to take care of while I have the engine out?

Any recommendations as far as clutch, I was just going to see what I could get from my local parts store. (I wheel it maybe 3x a year)


This is my first time yanking an engine, any gotchas that I should look out for?

Oh and here's a pic because none of us can really read, we just look at the pics. ;)
 

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I'm seeing some blow-by and have a feeling that i may have a slight leak in the head gasket. Every once in a while I can smell antifreeze in the exhaust. I was going to rebuild it but decided it would be much cheaper this route.
 
Honestly, after getting 220 out of this one, I feel like the 140 will be "like new" lol! I'll do some checking on the engine to make sure there isn't any mixing of fluids, check the airbox that the truck is coming out of for oil, check inside the valve cover for sludge and check overall condition.

Any other ways to check that I'm getting a good engine - without a compression test?

It's a gamble I'm willing to take.

Thanks for the link!

Here's the truck it's coming out of:
http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/3587221707.html
 
Last edited:
Nothing really wrong, just lacking power and some suspect stuff every now and then. I'm jumping on an opportunity to do some upgrades.
 
davemw said:
Honestly, after getting 220 out of this one, I feel like the 140 will be "like new" lol! I'll do some checking on the engine to make sure there isn't any mixing of fluids, check the airbox that the truck is coming out of for oil, check inside the valve cover for sludge and check overall condition.

Any other ways to check that I'm getting a good engine - without a compression test?

It's a gamble I'm willing to take.

Thanks for the link!

Here's the truck it's coming out of:
parting out 99 toyota 4runner
Click to expand...

I'm a big fan of JDM engines. If you can find a local JDM engine distributor, consider that as an option. But yea - absolutley look under the valve covers of any engine. There are some very scary pictures out there.

This is what the JDM engine that I picked out look like under the VC:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1157426-post113.html
Engine cost me $1350.
 
davemw said:
Hi Guys,
Long time lurker, with a few posts here. Just wanted to throw this out there and get some feedback.
My truck is a 99 3.4l 4runner with a 2nd gen supercharger on it. It's got about 220k miles on it and I have the chance to pick up a used (140k miles) engine with all accessories for pretty cheap.

Before I put the new-to-me engine in I'm planning to do the following:
Timing Belt
Water pump
Cam seals
Rear Main
Low temp thermostat (for Super charger)
New Belts all around
New Clutch
Swap the Supercharger on
URD 7th injector kit
Fuel Filter
New shifter bushing and seat

I'll probably change all the drivetrain fluids as well.

Am I missing anything that would be easy to take care of while I have the engine out?

Any recommendations as far as clutch, I was just going to see what I could get from my local parts store. (I wheel it maybe 3x a year)


This is my first time yanking an engine, any gotchas that I should look out for?

Oh and here's a pic because none of us can really read, we just look at the pics. ;)
Click to expand...


What is the backspacing in your wheels?
Do you use any spacers?

Thanks
 
Picked up the engine last night in Denver, we got an afternoon snow storm so the normally 45 minute drive took 2.5 hours. Fun times.

Anyway, Tonight I pulled the valve cover off and low and behold, a very clean engine!

Pulled the cover to the timing belt and it looks like it's been done pretty recently along with the water pump. Which makes me happy to know the PO was taking good care of it.

I did the rear main seal, timing belt and water pump tonight. The cam seals looked good so I stuck with the "if it aint broke..." mindset.

Anyway, More to come tomorrow, pulling the intake manifold to make space for the supercharger, sending the flywheel to be resurfaced, Installing new valve cover gaskets, dropping the oil pan.

563372_10200209133184499_311433538_n.jpg
 
Wow...you got lucky with such a clean valve train. It sounds you have everything covered. The only thing you didn't mention was new spark plugs and maybe wires...don't know what kind of condition your original are?

Also if you don't already have them, grab a set of headers. Really help out with that super charger :)

Good luck...
 
Thanks Russ, I was thinking about headers too, however the cost to hp ratio didn't seem to be worth it to me.

The Plugs and wires are indeed a definite.
 
davemw said:
Thanks Russ, I was thinking about headers too, however the cost to hp ratio didn't seem to be worth it to me.

The Plugs and wires are indeed a definite.
Click to expand...

I believe that because you are running the supercharger you will see a gain by putting new headers on, If it was NA I wouldn't do it as well.
 
I would agree with john, headers will definitely add some power since your pairing it with the supercharger.
This will be especially so if you did a full exhaust.

Even without though they would help, and as much of a bear as they are to put on with the motor already in, it would be enough to sway me with how much easy it will be to install with the motor already out.

And if you search around, there is a really good thread with dyno charts and stuff of headers on boosted 5vzfe's versus non boosted, it will help in the decision.
 
davemw said:
Thanks Russ, I was thinking about headers too, however the cost to hp ratio didn't seem to be worth it to me.

The Plugs and wires are indeed a definite.
Click to expand...

Yes, I would agree with you if you did not have your super charger (as others have said). But for $276 for TRD headers and "Y" pipe...I don't think you can go wrong!! Here's a link to the headers...trying to make it easy on you. It's so much fun spending someone else's money...lol!

Root > TRD - TRDsource.com - TRD Parts - Toyota Accessories - TRD Performance - Toyota Racing Development
 
Ok, you guys are very persuasive, I just ordered the TRD Headers. and started spraying the studs on the new engine with PB Blaster ;)

It's looking like we will be swapping in the engine on April 6th. I've already got the original engine sold for 275 on craigslist (thats how I justified the headers to myself)

I'll be sure to update as we get going.

On another note this swap had better go smooth. I don't have much time to screw with the truck before I leave to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Here's a link to my blog if you're interested in reading about a 2,663 mile hike up the West Coast.
2600 Miles North on the PCT | Ruth and Dave are headed North on the PCT
 
Ok, since i have a lot of time to plan all of this, I'm making a list of what needs to happen:
I'm trying to keep all of this under 3k

A. Pull old engine: Nothing Special. Leave Transmission in.

B. New Engine Prep
C. Install New Engine

Parts list:
Engine: $900.00
Clutch: $300.00
Water pump, Timing Belt, SC Belt, Fuel Filter, Rear Main, Valve Cover Gaskets: $276.00
7th Fuel Injector, 2.1 Pulley, Low Temp Thermostat, Plugs, Fuel Pump: $961.00
Shifter seat and knuckle: $20
Supercharger oil change kit: $65
Headers: $300
Oil, Coolant and other misc stuff: $200.00

Sold old engine -$275

Total: $2682.00


Anything I'm missing?
 
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