So I bought a '94 4Runner with a bad water pump. Towed it home, it started but ran rough. Replaced water pump/Timing belt. Started up ran rough and white smoke coming from tail pipe, water coming out of drivers side of engine (looks to be Head gasket). So here are my questions (and yes I have searched know about the head gasket issue etc just needing a few opinions) -

1994 4Runner SR5 V-6 3.0 3VZ-E

Choices-

1. Can I get away with just replaceing the one headgasket to make her run for a little while?

2. I buy a long block ($1500) that I found and swap out sensor and forgo the head gasket change and just swap the motor?

Any reply’s would be appreciated...
Do be gentle newbie to Yotas and 1st post.

 

You're going to hear it sooner or later:

3. Swap in a 3.4 liter motor from a newer 4Runner, T100 or Tacoma.

If you're capable of swapping 3.0 liter engines, you're probably capable of swapping in the more powerful, more reliable, better fuel economy 5VZFE.

 

If you want to learn, rebuild the motor. Make sure the coolant isnt mixed with the oil. If it is, drain it out. Water will kill your bearings.

Rebuild it, or if you can fork out the few extra g's swap in the 3.4, bolt in motor swap, just needs wiring, exhaust and a few small things..

 

Thanks for the info.. Now looking for the 3.4L

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay351

If you want to learn, rebuild the motor. Make sure the coolant isnt mixed with the oil. If it is, drain it out. Water will kill your bearings.

Rebuild it, or if you can fork out the few extra g's swap in the 3.4, bolt in motor swap, just needs wiring, exhaust and a few small things..

Jay thanks for the info, found a motor, will I need to change the fallowing?

1. Fuel Pump
2. Motor Mounts
3. Tranny
4. Transfer
5. Exhaust
6. Full Wiring Harness? or just Motor Harness?
7. Alternator

Thanks for all the help guys

 

What motor did you find? Same as you had or the 3.4?

If it's the same engine, 3VZE, shouldn't be much to change:
Fuel pump is in the gas tank.
Motor mounts should be the same.
Existing transmission should bolt up to the new engine.
Transfer case bolts to the transmission so if the transmission bolts up, no issue.
Exhaust should be similar.
May have to change sensors from the old engine to the new one if they are different, but for the most part should be similar.
Alternator- keep your old one unless the new one is similar with a higher output.

If it's the 5VZE, you'll likely have to change the entire engine and ECU related harnesses... and anything else I'll leave for those who've done it to describe or link to.

 

This is a good place to start. Andy has answered most of the common questions, the rest of us who have done the swap can usually answer the rest.

http://www.andrewzook.com/content/view/22/48/