When it rain it pours!!!

[BigNate]

Well I'm covered up like a cat turd right now. My 97 Limited blew a head gasket, three days later my sons f250 blew one, and when I pulled my old Willy's out I found the water pump going south.
They say it comes in three's I guess.
So the Willy's was a quick fix and done. Boy's truck is in progress so now it's on to the Runner. I could use some advice on this as I've never had apart a dual overhead cam engine and the machine shop I took the boys heads to said he doesn't like doing them because of the way the valves have to be set up.
Local Jap engine recycler has a $1800 price tag on a "lightly used" regasketed engine. More coin than I expected for one that's not been overhauled.
So Here's my questions:
1. What engines can I get at the wrecking yard that go in easy? Swap parts onto or direct swap? If I can get a newer engine with low miles can I swap the old stuff onto it and avoid overhauling?
2. If I pull and overhaul my engine what parts kit's do you recommend and from who?
3. Do you punch it .030" over or try to stay with less?
4. Can you do a mild build like on a Chev small block to get better low end but not get into tuning issues? ( More displacement with different crank, pistons, cams?)

This is the first engine swap / overhaul I'm considering with efi instead of nat aspirated small blocks.

 

[steezemcqueen]

How many miles are on the Runner?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Local Jap engine recycler has a $1800 price tag on a "lightly used" regasketed engine. More coin than I expected for one that's not been overhauled

I wouldn't pay $1800 for a used engine that has already suffered av head gasket failure. I mean I've never heard of a V6 blowing a head gasket with less than 150k miles on the odometer.

So you would be buying a well used V6 that has already failed.

 

[shootmymime]

[MENTION=45350]BigNate[/MENTION]
Im also in idaho, hello neighbor, if you cant get it done local have it shipped out to a larger city to a company to have it done. but rebuilding our 3.4L motors are a bit more complicated if your not used to working on imports, but a head gasket is kinda common with our motors. but when you fix this it will continue to keep running strong. Id say fix the head and keep her going.

 

[blueblur1984]

I can't speak for everyone's experience, but a friend of mine has had a second and a third generation 4runner with rebuilt motors. Both were V6 (3.0 and 3.4), both had the motor rebuilt within 40k miles, and both blew their gaskets.

I didn't read what state you're from, but if it's less draconian than California maybe you could swap in a newer engine with fewer miles...mayber more cylinders? I've heard of guys throwing the 4.3 in there, or even the diesel from the euro FJ.

Toyota motors will go forever if you do the required maintanence, but if they're opened up they are done for. If you ever buy a rebuilt motor or have your motor rebuilt make sure it's a reputable shop that will guarantee the engine/job for at least a few years/miles. Good luck and hopefully you can get your rig back on the road soon!

 

[BigNate]

4Runner is just over 250k miles.
I had a head gasket fail about 25k ago and had a shop do it as I had no time. It doesn't seem like they knew much more that me about doing it well.?

 

[nissanh]

Rebuild toyota engines are no good. Find a used low miles toyota engine (not rebuilt at least once) or fix the engine you got with GENUINE head gaskets.

If you open the head, you'll see the bore. I am 100% certain you'll never find a grove in the cylinder bore to call it worn!

The two main things that fails in most toyota engines are valve seals and valve cover gasket.

 

[BigNate]

So how hard is it to change the valve seals, and how do you shim the valves correctly.