Rebuild or rebuilt

[Bookmdano]

Hi,
Im thinking about either getting my 4 Runner engine rebuilt or replaced and need some guidence.My 3LV6 has 155,000 miles on the engine and needs a head gasket.It has been suggested that with this amount of milage it would be wise to have the engine rebuilt.
Would it generally be less money to have the engine rebuilt or put in an already rebuilt engine from an engine rebuilding company.
Thanks for any advice.
Danny

[alltrac165]

Well, here in CA, it's cheaper to get a rebuilt, but we have ridiculous labor rates. One thing to consider though, is you may be able to get by with just rebuilding the heads and putting on new head gaskets. The bottom end is pretty stout, and if the bores look ok, you could get another 150k out of it. Just replace all the seals and maybe the clutch while it's out. You'd have to have a mechanic check it out though. Once your that far into it, you would probably have comitted to a rebuild over a replacement engine. Shop around with reputable shops in your area vs engine suppliers.

[Sidney]

Who ever told you that you need a rebuild is uneducated or dishonest as Toyota engines can easliy climb 300 000 miles,your headgaskets are recalled:

21 Toyota headgasket & oil sludge recall sites:

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic110028.htm
http://www.the-summit-group.com/rec/4x4/toyota.html (3.0L,V6,headgasket recall)
http://home.att.net/~ccatanese/ford/toyota_warranx.htm (3.0L,V6,headgasket recall)
http://home.off-road.com/~kemanuel/V6-HG.htm
http://www.geocities.com/brian894x4/...ketrecall.html (3.0L,V6,headgasket recall)
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/4runner/topqs.html
http://www.alldata.com/recall/make/Toyota_Truck.html
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/60/94601650.html
http://www.yotarepair.com/Campaigns.html (3.4L,V6,headgasket recall)
http://home.off-road.com/~bibelheime...eadgasket.html (3.4L,V6,headgasket recall)
http://www.jasperengines.com/pdf/5SFECoolantLeaksTB.pdf
http://www.lemonaidcars.com/secret_warranties.htm
http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm#Toyota%20Sludge
http://www.toyota.com/about/news/pro...-consumer.html
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...ota-sludge.htm
http://www.petitiononline.com/TMC2003/petition.html
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/TSBScans/sb621323.pdf
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/TSBScans/sb628694.pdf
http://groups.msn.com/ToyotaOwnersUn...gaskettsb.msnw
http://groups.msn.com/ToyotaOwnersUn...adgaskets.msnw
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic100052.htm

Sidney
Repairs tv's,vcr's,home/car audio out of my home
E-mail:sidneybek@yahoo.com
Dartmouth,Nova Scotia
Canada
1985 Toyota 4-Runner,22R-E,W56,RN60LV-MSEK,rusted rear step/towing chrome bumper with 243 000 KM

[Bookmdano]

Hi,
Thanks guys for the response.I talked in lenght to a reputable rebuilder and he suggested that once you have the head off of the engine you might as well go a little further.Especially after 150,000 miles.I know that Toyotas have a reputation of going forever.But with my luck I will get the head gasket fixed and something will be ready to go!The rebuild seem a little more than I want to spend right now,especially if I have to have the oil cooler replaced for the warranty.
Danny

[EngineMaverick]

If you honestly want to rebuild the engine then go for it, its been my experience that even though factory is "mas produced" and so not everything is perfect more often that not toyota engines are prety well balanced, built and so on, lets just say alot better than some SBC's Ive been into. One of the bigest things Ive noticed to be concistant with all the toyota engines Ive been into is the cylanders are polished from factory; bad news, this causes poor piston lubrication because the oil has nothing to stick to, also creates an oil burning problem over time, nothing to worry about in the case of a daily driver but if your going to rebuild then lets atleast do it right while were here and have it in front of us you know, im sure you dont want to have to go back and do it again. Also the connecting rods are for the most part non machineable (with acception to some engines) so when balancing your rod assembly go ahead and measure each rod and then each piston like normal but instead of cutting each one to match your gonig to figure which piston you want with each rod and then cut the pistons so that when weighed, the whole assembly (rod, piston, and writst pin.) weigh the same, so all six weigh the same. other than those right there the rebuild is prety easy going all things concidering. But back to your question, the cheapest way to go would actualy be to rebuild the engine yourself, there are all sorts of machine shops that can do the machine work for you, I would recomend doing the actual mechanical work yourself because labor can get rediculous for some things. Also keep in mind however that 1. machine shops get alot of work through them so they arent perfect, but are a hell of alot better than factory. 2. also keep in mind the rebuild should only be done if you expect to keep the vehicle forever, because even when doing the work yourself the cost is only worth it to someone that is keeping the vehicle, you wont make your money back on trying to sell it.