I'm a current 3rd gen owner and have had an 87 4x pickup before. Question: I've got a line on a 2 wheel drive, no rust arizona vehicle, air, overall great shape. The owner went to do the head gasket and once into it, he discovered the usual timing chain issue that apparenlty caused a crack once it wore out the guides. It has the fuel injection in it, not sure what gen that is? Anyway, what am I looking at for a cost on the case thats cracked? Are these a beoch to find used, because I've heard of this happening before? The head obviously needs to be milled and put back on. The cost of the truck is free. I'm just wondering if it's going to be worth the dough to get her back on the road. What would you do?

 

Any yota you can get for free is worth it...

 

Engnbldr timing chain kit is cheap, plenty of tech info to google on

timing chain cover replace

 

they are available threw engin biulder for like $40 i think maby 60 with the compleet kit with steel backed guides and gaskets as well as chain and sprockets

 

damn you guys type fast

 

$88 + $12 shipping and handling for the cover and timing set
http://engnbldr.com/toyota_ala_carte.htm

 

not sure exacly what you mean but...
the timing chain issue implies 22r/re (4 cylinder) {the v6 had a timing belt}
the wear from the timing chain is only to the timing chain cover
you can get a timing chain cover for a 22r/re for around 100-150 bucks
timing chain set for a 22r/re (85-95) new chain, sprockets, tensioner and guide is around 60-90 dollars
you can get a fully rebuilt 22r/re for around 1100-1700 dollars (depending on some options) or a used block for 400-900 depending on the seller.

so to turn a 'free' truck into a 'driveable' one you can sell (or keep ) may cost you somewhere between 100 to 2000 dollars "MAXIMUM".
(Yes... between one hundred dollars and two thousand. Just depends on what's wrong and what it takes to fix it.)

 

Hey I want to that you guys for the quick replys. Having a 3rd gen has kind of kept me from this area for a while. It is a 22RE. I have yet to check it out. I'm going over in the morning to see the damage he's talking about. But I really think it is just to the cover and hell, if I can get a kit for around $100 and get the head done, I think it'll be back on the road. Is there a good link for doing the head gaskets? I know this is pretty common, but I've never done one on a Toy before. Links with good tips will help??

 

http://engnbldr.com has new heads, cams and full engine build kits and are quite highly regarded in the 'stock to slightly modified' category with regards to durability and warranty.
He doesn't push "all-out" or other radical engines like DOA and LCE, but rather works with the subtle modifications that satisfy people who have the 4 cylinder and are happy with just that 'little bit more'... that don't want V8 torque.

 

I got a timing kit from ted for 85 bucks on ebay thats with everything including a new cover, dont know what his deals are like now but cant beat that. and i dont remember what i paid for another cover i got last fall for my engine rebuild but the overall rebuild was around 1 grand.

35 bucks will get you the head pressure tested and milled around here.

so for around probably $150 you can fix that motor if all thats messed is the chain, guides and cover and head checks out.

thats a damn steal =)