gohawks

drum roll please:

I took my 3.0 T4R in to a dealer this morning to listen to the knock I posted about earler. My worst fears seem to be confirmed: Main bearing going out.

He had a long screwdriver that he listened through while vehicle was on a lift. In his opinion there was bearing noise at the front of the oil pan. He did say that I should get another opinion as well, but that was his opinion. He didn't tear into anything as he wasn't charging me.

So what should I do now?

1) Sell my current runner and start looking for a clean 1st Gen with a manual transmission and 22re? What realistically could I expect to get out of mine with the knock? Its got a clean body with all options but it is a V6 and an auto with a boat load of miles.

2) I have a mechanic I visited with after my trip to the dealer. He will pull the motor, machine the crank, put new main and rod bearings in for $600-$800 (his estimate). I would be without my truck for 2 weeks.

What do you think? I would like to sell it and get a manual transmission with the 22re, but I can't get what I want out of the vehicle without being dishonest. I'm leaning towards #2 right now.

Thanks all.

FilthyRich

as you know you have several options: all depend on $$$, time and patience

1. fix problem
2. replace motor with new 3.0
3. do a 3.4 swap
4. swap a 22re and get new tranny
5. sell truck and replace---you won't really get much $$$ for a truck needing repair

research your options, list the cost and also list the amount you are willing to through at the project. Then weigh that against what you have in the your current 4r.

Good luck

gohawks

In terms of the money I think realistically my only option is to have the problem fixed. At that point I may entertain selling the vehicle and looking for a manual with the 22re.

My only fear is doing this and then having something else go wrong and sinking more money into it. But that is the gamble and risk you take with a nearly 20 year old vehilce with almost a quarter of a million miles, a risk that is worth it IMO as I really like these 1st Generations.

I will search for expectations of the bottom end work, is there anything I should be looking for when this is done? Since I'm clueless on anything along these lines what all should be done while the have the engine pulled doing this?

Thanks all.