stihl460

First post into the build of my 89 Toyota Pickup 4x4. Picked it up for 1500 a few years back. The 3.slow that was in it burned the exhaust valve in the no. 5 cylinder. I didn't see it justifiable to rebuild the 3.0.

I ended up picking up a 3.4 for super cheap with all the accessories and wiring harness. The reason I got that so cheap is there was low compression on every cylinder in the driver side bank.

The motor sat for two years in an unheated garage and collected some moisture in the cylinders causing the rings to seize.

I plan on re-ringing the motor or a complete rebuild.

I also plan on doing a build thread on this truck, starting with the 3.4 rebuild, swap, painting the frame and body, interior work, then finally lifting the truck.

Before i get started, is there any special tips on rebuilding these 3.4 motors? I know the head bolts need to be replaced when they are removed but what about the main bolts?

yodathespian87

It is up to you when rebuilding and engine. Bolts can sometimes stretch so its goo to replace those head bolts as for the main you shouldn't unless there is something that just doesn't look right with them. Make sure all your surfaces are clean, double check all your torques and put new gaskets on everything you touch. Best of luck to you.

stihl460

Starter pictures of the bone stock 89 Toyota 4x4 DLX and a 95 Toyota 5vzfe 3.4 getting ready for tear down.

Planning to take the block out for to get inspected this weekend for possible rebore or rering.

stihl460

Got the block torn apart found every cylinder on the driver side bank had stuck rings due to sitting in a unheated shed and collected moisture. There is some surface rust in the bores but besides that there is clean clean hone marks. Took the block to get hot tanked and honed so I can rering hope to have the short black together in the next couple weeks then I will have the heads gone through so I have a clean platform for the swap. Can't wait to get it into the truck.

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

if they are honing have the shop check the block(measure the cylinders) to see if its possible to re-ring or better off to bore. Also what was the cause of low compression on the one bank? burnt valves? broken cam? Why dont' you make a list of what you have from the 3.4. is your truck 5spd? if so are you going to use the 3.4 clutch flywheel or goin with a performance clutch for the 3.0 flywheel.

stihl460

The shop I took it to is going to check the cylinders to make sure they aren't out of round and the other measurements I have forget to make sure it doesn't need a rebore job done. The reason for the low compression was the cylinders collected moisture and the top compression rings were in seized in place on the piston. Its hard for me to explain so I will upload a pic of one of the pistons when I get a chance.
As far as the clutch components, I got lucky and got all the accessories when I bought the motor such as the power steering pump, flywheel and clutch, ignitor, crossover pipe, evap canister, evap vsv, and wiring harness.
I am using the 3.4 flywheel, pressure plate, pilot bearing, and disk. The only thing I am using from the 3.0 is the throwout bearing. I already have the 3.4 flywheel turned along with all the clutch components I got from gripforce.
I am just waiting to hear back from the machine shop on if it needs a rebore or if I can rering it.

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

sounds good.. may as well start your wiring homework.

stihl460

Heard back from the machine shop. All the cylinders cleaned up with the hone except for one. The rust in the cylinder was to deep and they are recommending a .040 overbore. The crank can be polished and doesn't need to be ground. The rods are in good shape. The block, besides the one bore, is in great shape. I have looked at the kits on ebay and am not to impressed. The rebuild kit I am looking at is the master rebuild kit from LC Engineering. It comes with everything to rebuild the engine except head bolts. The kit itself is around eight hundered. I know LC has a rep for being toyota experts but has anyone else used LC's rebuild kits if so what were the quality of the parts and is this kit worth the money? Also I plan on supercharging the motor after the break in period. Is there anything that should be addressed internally within the motor during the rebuild to beef it up for the supercharger and fuel mods? I am thinking about getting head studs also but I wanted to get some feedback on if it would be worth the money.

stihl460

Went ahead and ordered the master rebuild kit and head bolts from LC Engineering should be here by the end of the week or early next week. Going to put the 1in body lift and polyurethane body mount bushings on this weekend and hopefully start cleaning up the engine compartment.

BigBluePile

iTrader: (3)

Wow nice project man!

stihl460

Got the kit from LC last week. Took the pistons over for the boring process for the engine. Should have the engine back early next week so I can start putting it back together. Started putting the body lift on this weekend but didn't have enough time to finish. Will post some pics once i get the lift on and start detailing and assembling the motor.

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

hey keep up the progress!!! a sc 3.4 swap is pretty sweet... ask me how i know! Looks like you're not too far away either.

stihl460

Took some time this weekend while the motor is still in the machine shop to get the truck ready for the motor. Ended up putting on the 1in body lift and polyurethane body mount bushings. The body lift kit was made by 4crawler and the bushings by energy suspension. I am impressed with the quality of the parts made by 4crawer. Now all I can do is wait for the machine work to get done so I can put it all back together!

BigBluePile

iTrader: (3)

Progress! Good to hear and you can't go wrong with 4crawler products!

stihl460

Ended up getting the block back this weekend. For some reason they took quite a bit longer than they told me when I dropped it off. Going to get it painted and hopefully get it assembled so its ready for when the heads get done. Will post some pics along the way.

stihl460

Got the block painted tonight and got the crank clearances checked. Ended up getting the crank installed and thats how it will sit for a couple days until I can start checking the piston rings and installing the pistons,rods, and rings.

stihl460

Short block finished just waiting for the heads.