I started off getting this truck and the guy said it had issues. sure enough i found out that the headgasket had failed on the #1 cylinder and it had filled up with coolant and busted the rod.

my compressions were

1 = 0
2 = 150
3 = 170
4 = 150
5 = 170
6 = 150





i just want to get this truck up and running again. can i just replace the rod and call her good or do i NEED to do a full rebuild?

 

welll..in order to get to the rod to replace it..you'll have to remove the head cuz im about 99% sure pistons only come out the top...

and when ya remove the head..ya gotta do the headgasket..and since you're that far into it..ya might as well make sure the crank is ok by getting it checked out by a machine shop..then ya gotta make sure the block is ok by said machine shop..after that you can put everything back together with all new gaskets..

i recommend engnbldr for parts cuz he is the shizzzz LOL

BUT if ya wanna get by for a little while..you could just pull the head..replace the one rod (and possibly piston..along with rings..and bearings) and then call it good with a new headgasket and other gaskets....but you will most likely have problems in the future.

if i were me...i'd replace the one rod..but i would also get the cylinders checked..and the crank checked and replace all the gaskets..

it kinda depends on how many miles are on your motor..if you got 100,000 on it..then just do the one rod..if ya got over 200,000 then ya might wanna go a little deeper lol just to be on the safe side

 

safe.... i build my truck with not to much safety factor in mind haha.. i have 265k on the clock. i think that im going to just get the master rebuild kit from engnbldr because i need to replace the oil pump anyways. i just picked up 2 new heads with 5,000 miles on them for $80 for both of them.. what a steal!

 

make sure to get those heads decked and checked out. You do not want to put a bad head on an already prone engine to have head gasket failures....

 

the heads are straighter than an arrow... they are basically brand new. you should see the heads i pulled off.... they are virtually black with burnt oil

 

Do you have pictures of the busted rod? Not sure what one would look like in a 3VZE. I am hoping to not have that issue when I pull my heads off.

 

not yet. i will get some when i finally pull the block out. i have put the project on hold since im looking for a replacement engine on the cheap to get me by. there is nothing for 3vze engines around here

 

i thought pistons only came out the bottom of the block?
somethin about TDC cylinder wall pinch or somethin..

 

Nope. That'd be too easy. The pistons only come out through the top (with the head removed). No other way to compress the piston rings to get them in.

Hate to say it, but you are in for some greasy-fingernail-goodness.