Black03vegas

Just wondering if anyone can give me some insight as to what is different between a 1989 3VZE and a 1993 3VZE....not counting electronics. My wife has a '93 4Runner and I'm wanting to build an engine for it since her's is starting to show some wear. Anyways, I'd like to find a "builder" engine and start working on it in my spare time vs. having to pull her engine and have her truck down for a while.

I've found an '89 engine and would like to know if there is anything I need to worry about. In other words, are the heads the same? Cams the same? Etc., etc.??? I know there is a difference in the way some of the 3VZE's motor mounts connect (2-bolt vs. 4-bolt)....which did the 93's use? What about the '89's?

Well, you get the point. Not being an expert on 3VZE differences, I could use a little bit of help here. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Silver_Truck

The motor mounts are diff, the timing belt tensioner is hydraulic on the 93 vs. mechanical on the 89, the 93 is a better built engine (less problems compared to the 89&90 ones), not sure on the specifics of why that is though i think just some redesign of parts, all the major mechanical parts are the same though (heads, cams, p istons etc.) can't hink of anything else. Good luck, get your rebuild kit from engnbldr and his O/S valves if you can swing em

Black03vegas

Thanks Silver Truck!

That's the kind of info I'm looking for. Do you know if a '93 T-belt tensioner can be used on an '89 block? My thaught is, if I can pick up this '89 engine cheap enough, I'll tear it down and start working on the heads in my spare time. With previous engines I've built....I'll tear the heads down, take them to my local machine shop to have cleaned/checked, have them open up the valve seats (whenever I goto OS valves, which I plan to do on this engine), then bring them home and spend my evening hours cleaning up the bowls and ports, and then take them back to the shop and let them re-assemble. It's NICE having a shop that will work with you!

My plan is to do the heads first. Once those are done, bagged, and on the shelf in the garage. then I'll start on the block. I plan to blueprint the block and get everything balanced (crank, rods, pistons, etc.) and then assemble it. I realize the 3.0 isn't going to make a bazzillion ponies...but, it is I nice smooth and reliable engine!

I just don't want to start with an engine and it turns out the heads are completely different, the rods are weaker, the motor mounts won't match up, etc..

So...based on your feedback. The heads should at least be the same! Does anyone know more on the block? Will the older block bolt up to the newer motor mounts...or is it the other way around, the older block _won't_ accept the newer style mounts?


Thanks,

-Phil

93ToyKid

Be sure to take some pics!! Like to see someone showing some 3.0 love.

Yoda

We are currently installing a 94 block into a 90. Switches are different, TB/pos sensor are diff.
We changed the manifold to make it "look" like the 90 to the computer. The 94 had built in engine oil cooler. Mounts look to fit OK. We used the hydraulic timing chain components. The Knock sensor/wire replaced with the 90 (again to mate w/90 harness/computer)...the connectors are different.

mt_goat

The heads are different because of the timing belt tensioner change. One has a bolt hole for the tensioner and the other doesn't.

Why not look for a 93 engine? I may be selling mine this fall when I do a 3.4 swap. Where are you at? Oh let me guess, Vegas?

Black03vegas

I'm in Greeley, CO (about 1 hour north of Denver). Getting a '93 engine is an option...about a $400 option. I just have a chance to pick up an '89 for around $100. Around here, even if a 3VZE is knocking and smoking, the local yards think they are worth a small fortune!

If there's a ton of differences in the '89 and '93, I might just hold off for a good deal on a '93. Like I said, I'm not in a huge hurry to build an engine. Hell, I figure it'll take me well over a month just to port and polish up the heads and intake to my liking (taking my time in the evenings).

Anyone have a '93+ 3VZE around Denver FS...cheap!?!?

Silver_Truck

the timing belt tensioner change was at 92 which was the first year for the hydraulic tensioner, as far as oil coolers go my 91 has one built in so I dunno about that I'd always heard it was part of the tow package so from what I gather from Yoda as long as you keep the parts from your 93 above the heads (filter thru intake plenum/manifold) you should be fine, you could just use the mechanical tensioner thats on the 89 block I'm not quite sure why they switched...never had any probs with mine