gosicktoyota

Experts here at yotatech :

My rocker arm on cylinder #4 has snapped in half as these photos show :







I am looking at possibly buying this pulled engine but have some concerns









I am concerned about the visible surface rust and the lack of oil on the rocker arms (or is there a different reason for the different colors).

Any feedback would be appreciated.

BTW, I was hoping to just swap the head assembly and see if the truck will start running again - is this a silly idea since most likely the timing chain jumped and the valve hit the piston and caused the rocker arm to snap.

thanks in advance for any help / insight.

Toyota~Boy

iTrader: (2)

It looks like your engine has had alot of sludge buildup at one time on it. Burnt oil is a example of why your rockers are a dark yellowish color. The other engine is very clean. The surface rust is caused by moister entering into the valve cover. If I was going to buy that engine I would check the compression prior to buying. Then see if the engine comes with a warranty of some sort.

As far as your engine its probably okay. Just replace the broken rocker arm. If the valve spring is not broken then you know the valve never touched the piston so I'd say your okay. Just remember if you use donor parts then you need to change everything. Your cam and rockers wear together so you don't want to put a new rocker assembly onto a old cam or put a used rocker assembly onto your cam. You can take a rocker assembly and cam from another engine and put them in yours.

Hope this helps ya out some.

gosicktoyota

Thanks Toyota Boy.

btw, just some clarification :

what are donor parts?

also, i just cannot replace that one rocker arm - correct?

mightymouse

iTrader: (6)

Honest advice for the best bang for your buck? Leave the used engine alone unless it's super cheap(like the cost of a used rocker assembly). I would purchase a good used rocker assembly or get a newly refurbished one. After i get all my bits and pieces together to do the head gasket, timing chain, and any other maintenance. Disassemble the engine, get the head checked, surfaced, and anything else it needs and fix your truck right. A quick break down of costs? head gasket kit 150. timing chain kit 130. head work can range a bit but cost as much as 200 or better. fluids and other parts and peices lets say 100 to be safe. The used motor is an unknown no matter what the seller tells you or what kind of warranty they give you it is still a gamble. It would be foolish to try and just swap heads with out proper machine work period. Your truck was running therefore you know the head was good so cost there shouldn't be too much. My two cents as i have been down this road.

Toyota~Boy

iTrader: (2)

Donor parts are used parts from another engine.

You can replace just one rocker arm but I would not recommend that.

I'd replace all of the rocker arms and the cam. You can get a nice cam and all rocker arms from LcEngineering for a reasonable price. Then just put it together. You must do a head gasket kit as well.

gosicktoyota

thanks again toyota boy and mighty mouse - i will pursue those options.
LC Engineering had the cam and rocker and spring kit for $530.

i will post when I complete the work and let you guys know how it went.