IBX

At 214,000 it is getting close to time for a rebuild of the 3.0 in my '91 4runner. Have any of you had experience with Thunderbolt Motors and Transmissions in Houston TX? If not, are there any recommendations for where to go. Rebuilding it myself is not possible at the moment. - Thanks

95RunnerSR5

i dont have any knowledge about rebuilders but if you are looking for a newly rebuilt longblock with an unlimited mileage warranty, contact oregon engine rebuilders for a great product

littlerunner

orient engine also

Elton

jasper ?

Snorkeldepth

I've only had my Jasper in for a couple weeks. The jury is still out on where I stand. Here's their write up:

LIVE RUN TESTED-Oil pressure, compression and vaccuum measurements are
made to ensue unit meets or exceeds OEM specifications.
GRAPHITE COATED PISTONS:Graphite is a natural lubricant which helps
prevent dry start up and piston scuffing.
MOLY PISTON RINGS:Higher durability, reduce cyl. wall wear.
GRAPHITE HEAD GASKETS:pliable material that does not tear when casting
expand and contract. Graphite gaskets transfer heat evenly and will
not deteriorate around water passages like Kevlar gaskets do.
VITON VALVE STEM SEALS:This material meters oil from the first running
of engine. Its design is resisant to heat, oil additives and abrasion.
OVERSIZED CAMSHAFT: This eliminates virtually all valve train noise.
The camshaft is spray-welded and the weld is ground down to match the
O.E.line-bore and oil clearance specifications
O.E.M. PARTS INCLUDE; Main bearings, head gaskets, rear main seal


I'll keep you posted on the progress as it breaks in and . . . .

Silverunner

I bought a remanufactured 3.0 from Orient Engine in Kentucky. The service was good and I havent had any problems from the engine yet. Still breaking it in.

IBX

Thanks for the input. It seems that there are a host of folks selling remanufactured engines like ATK in the $2,600 range. I didn't know if good engines can't be had for less. Orient's 3.0 is 2k, Thunderbolt <www.tbolt.net> is $1,700. If the core is $400-450 and the rebuild kit is something less than that ($300 or less) then there is anywhere from 10 to 20 man hours available at a charge out rate of $100 hr, which is a reasonable amount for a quality shop. Anyhoo, if I can save 1/2K to 1K and still end up with similar results then I'm interested.
I havde had the rig 2-1/2 years and drive it daily to work and play. Power/torque has always been low, and what I thought may be an exhaust leak when I bought it is likely an exhaust valve leak. The head gasket was changed years ago by its original owner. I could just pull the heads and do a valve job, but I am concerned that freshened heads may add compression that the bottom-end couldn't sustain over time. Even with the rough running engine, it still gets a genuine 16mpg with 20 recently measured on a trip to Spokane at less than 65mph with the AC off. With the AC on it is too anemic to drive safely in busy traffic.

95RunnerSR5

if i were you....i would swap a 4BT Cummins turbo diesel.. they are used in the frito lay's big vans you see around. around 100 horses with no modification and 300 ft lbs of torque right off idle. and in those big vans they get somewhere around 24 mpg i believe. if i had known about this 4cyl beauty i would have never put a 3vze back in my 4runner