3SFE- headgasket- Replace gasket or engine???

[Montanahelp]

I have a 87 3SFE that is drinking water - I definately am blowing it out of the tailpipe. The engine has @ 165K on it, and has good power. When I bought the car the waterpump was totally gone, and I know it had been run very hot. I'm trying to decide whether to replace the head gasket (which I have never done before) or put another engine in it (I have never put a engine in one). I have an extra engine from a rolled Camry.


I'M ON A VERY LOW BUDGET WITH BOTH TIME AND MONEY.


Would you guys try the headgasket or just swap another engine in it? Are the 3SFE heads prone to excessive warping or cracking?

[es250nut]

If it were me, I'd do the swap. Provided you know the engine from the rolled car is good that is.

[Mike Gerber]

You did say the current engine has good power. Does the current engine use much oil? If it were me and the engine wasn't using much oil, I would download the manual for your generation (they are stickied at the top of the General Camry forum) and follow the steps to do the headgasket. It really won't cost you much money, only some time, and would be a good learning experience. If you go through the trouble of swapping the other engine in, this engine is just junk anyway, so you have little to lose by doing the headgasket, IMHO.

Mike

[Montanahelp]

the engine does have good power. It leaks a little oil, but I havn't put any time into fixing the oil leaks until I get the cooling system issues taken care of. I hate to pull an engine that runs so strong. THanks for your comments

[atobe]

how much oil...mine leaks oil too but my mech told me not to worry about it.. i always poor back out almost 4quarts every oil chance so it doesn't bother me

[Montanahelp]

I haven't had the car long enough to know the oil useage. I've put about 600 miles on the car and it has used about 1/3 or a quart of oil, and about a gallon and a half of water Lets just say it is leaving multiple oil drops in my employers parking lot everyday. The oil inside of the engine is staying very clean. I figure the oil leaks are valve cover related.


Is 88LE still around in this forum?

[marc780]

Originally Posted by Montanahelp

I have a 87 3SFE that is drinking water - I definately am blowing it out of the tailpipe. The engine has @ 165K on it, and has good power. When I bought the car the waterpump was totally gone, and I know it had been run very hot. I'm trying to decide whether to replace the head gasket (which I have never done before) or put another engine in it (I have never put a engine in one). I have an extra engine from a rolled Camry.


I'M ON A VERY LOW BUDGET WITH BOTH TIME AND MONEY.


Would you guys try the headgasket or just swap another engine in it? Are the 3SFE heads prone to excessive warping or cracking?

You already have another engine ready to go? If you are sure its good, i wouldnt fool around, just put that one in. It will take you a day or three to do this but you can keep your old engine and fix it, on an engine stand, at your leisure as money becomes available, if you want.
If you plan on driving this car forever, then its not a bad plan to have a spare engine ready to drop in again if you have to.