My 90 4runner blew a head gasket. it has 297k on it so i figured time for a new motor. I ordered a reman 3.0 "Super Stock" from http://www.oregonengines.net/ Ive never done a full motor swap before and I'm looking for a thread for someone who has. Ive searched for days and havent been able to locate one. any suggestions anyone has to make this easier on me would be great. I have a couple good wrench friends helping me do it so im not too worried but any help is appreciated. And as much as i would love to i cant afford the 3.4 swap nor do i trust myself to get it right.

Oh and here is a funny side note. TLC Land Cruiser shop in Van Nuys wanted 8000 dollars to rebuild my engine. They have done work on my 4 runner and some on my 85 FJ60 in the past but i just had to laugh at there astronomical prices. Im a true believer in you get what you pay for but 8k give me a freakin break.

thanks for the help,

joeb

90 4runner
4x4- Manual
ARB-Warn Winch
New trans, Clutch, Front Axles, Old Man Emu

85 TLC FJ60
3" 33's
needs lots of love
always for sale
PM for foto

 

Get the FSM, either from the dealer or the download links at the top of the page, but in short:

1. Take out the radiator and air intake and disconnect all the hoses and wires you need to
2. Unbolt from transmission
3. Lift old engine out
4. Drop new engine in
5. Connect everything
6. Start and go


There are tons of threads with good advice in here, including my rebuild thread. Maybe not a full writeup, but that is in the FSM.

Oh, and for the rebuild price, it all depends on what parts they use. If they do ALL the work for you and replace parts with original Toyota parts, 8k is not that far fetched. That's about what the dealer told me when I asked them before I did it myself.

 

Pressure wash everything really well before you start.
Take the hood off(mark the bolt locations).
Use tape and/or a sharpie to mark all your wires and vacuum lines.

 

I've never pulled a 3.0 but was wondering if you
pulled the rad
removed the grill
removed the bumper

Could you not pull the engine and trans together?

 

You probably could, but why would you want to? Pulling an engine and manual transmission allows to to change the clutch during the engine swap, nothing you can really do to an automatic. Plus, they are really heavy(don't forget the transfer case as well).
Yanking the radiator is a good idea for any semi major repair. One slip and you have to buy a new one(after you pull the breaker bar out of it).

 

not to mention loooooooooong.

 

I'm pretty sure it's near impossible to pull the engine without taking the radiator out first. It's a tight fit back in there even with the radiator out, so use a piece of plywood to protect the ac condenser (thanks Jason).

 

condenser

 

You forgot about the radiator support. And its welded in place.

There is one or two guys on here that have removed the engine and tranny together. You need an engine leveler for the hoist and a lot of overhead clearance...even then I hear its pretty easy to break out your windsheild.

Visual aid:

 

I wouldn't pull the engine with the transmission unless you absolutely have to. If you do pull the transfer case off first or its a really tight fit, and make sure you have an extra set of hands to guide it out.

Edit, and yes it wouldn't be a stretch to smash your windshield if you're weren't careful.

 

Did you by chance ask Oregon Engine Builders what kind of real world power increase (HP and torque) you get out of their "Super Stock" motors? Its not listed anywhere on their site or on Ebay.