1998 w/ thrown rod - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

silkydraws · 10-23-2009, 04:25 PM

I purchased a 98 model Avalon that has a hole the bottom from a thrown rod. When searching for replacement, what years am I going to look for to make this job as painless as possible? 95-2000? I realize to prob. stay away from the VVT engines but wonder if using a 96 model would require lots of parts swapping. The less expensive gaskets that have to be bought the better as they add up fast to the cost outlay. BTW, this car will be fixed for resale is why I'm wanting to put as little as possible into it. Car had 175K in case anyone wondered. Full of oil but threw rod, no telling how infrequent oil changes were. It belonged to a woman. Interior clean as a whistle as is body and tranny was replced last year. Just info for people who wonder about what failures happen and when on these cars. I suspect infrequent oil changes though.

silkydraws · 10-23-2009, 05:34 PM

I also would like to know if my choices are limited to the Avalon/Camry as I think I'm seeing that the Sienna also came w/ the 1MZFE. Just wondering how much diff. their setup might be compared to the Av. Do I def. need to stay with OBDII ( what year is that anyway....94)engines to keep computer functions proper?

gideon1331 · 10-23-2009, 10:03 PM

You would need an engine from 95 or 96. Engine was changed for 97, both internally and externally.

Your engine is the same as what was in the Lexus ES300 of the same year.

The Camry 1MZFE from 95/96 was different. When the Sienna was introduced, it used the Camry 1MZFE and not the Avalon/ES300 1MZ.

silkydraws · 10-24-2009, 01:46 PM

Thanks, I'm guessing you meant 97-98 Camry/Avalon though? Unless you meant Camry 95-96? Are 99's that much diff?

***2wickedtoyz*** · 10-24-2009, 06:51 PM

the 1mzfe engine (heads/block) are swapable from 1994 and up as long as it is not vvt, vvti, or vvtLi.
I know this cause my 94 camry had a 98 motor in there and that motor is now in my avalon no problems.

search away my friend no worries.

gideon1331 · 10-26-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkydraws

Thanks, I'm guessing you meant 97-98 Camry/Avalon though? Unless you meant Camry 95-96? Are 99's that much diff?

The Camry and Avalon had different versions of the engine. The Camry/Sienna used one, and the Avalon/Lexus ES300 used another.

The Avalon/ES300 engine received a power increase for 97 with a new intake and various other mechanical and electronic bits.

While the heads are swappable some other parts are not. If you are doing a total engine replacement, you will need one from a 97-99 Avalon/ES300 or else your ECU will likely be incompatible.

***HATEnFATE*** · 10-26-2009, 01:50 PM

How much do you want for the car before you repair it?

silkydraws · 10-26-2009, 02:53 PM

Well, I bought the car to fix so hate to sell before even attempting. Do you happen to have the 1998 low mile engine I'm needing? There is a guy in Houston with a 2003 that he says will go in w/o much prob. He said he has both kinds of harnesses (I guess for the cable operated vs. throttle by wire) I wonder how much parts changing that would take? Engine is cheap and low mile. (like 400 bucks mebbe less for a 70K engine)

***HATEnFATE*** · 10-26-2009, 04:54 PM

I work for a dealer so I can get a great deal on an engine from a 98 for myself but the boss wont let me sell it out of the dealer without something on top so that takes away from the deal for you, plus shipping would kill it.

I was just interested for myself. I've got a 96 that I love and was debating on getting another for cheap. An Avy with a blown engine is cheaper then a running Avy.

silkydraws · 10-27-2009, 01:53 PM

Ok deal will be the guy in Hou. wants me to just come get the engine. He wants it out of his garage. 70K mile 2003 model that he says will def. go in if I swap parts around. I wonder what that will be but can't hardly turn this offer down. He says it's a Camry w/o VVT or anything but is a throttle by wire engine. I guess as long as I change ALL manifolds and ALL sensors I can make it work. Or hope so. If anyone knows for sure this is a no go I'd appreciate a heads up. I'm not finding any other engines cheap or w/ low miles except on E-bay and I can't really check them out thoughly. Is a 1MZFE long block by itself pretty interchangeable? Oil pan part #s show the same. Anyone know if I'll find a mounting boss or something gone that will kill this swap?

silkydraws · 10-30-2009, 10:14 AM

bump, I'm really hitting a wall here finding an engine from 97-99 because of the sludge problems. Seems like junkyards are out of them.

silkydraws · 11-09-2009, 10:01 PM

after calling around some Houston bone yards I'm finding there was a 2003 Camry made w/o VVT. They tell me production date is what seperates them.Anybody know if this engine I picked up is VVT or not