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Timing Tensioner Question

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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 09:52 AM
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Timing Tensioner Question/Engine Swap Info Needed

Okay, I have a '93 4Runner with the 3VZ-E in it. I am replacing the motor due to a bent rod with a motor from a 1992 4Runner. They are both 4x4 and automatic. The thing is, I am understanding that the timing tensioner changed after April of '92 to the hydraulic unit. I am going to replace the timimg belt, water pump, and all that other crap when I pull the motor out of the '92.

Can I change the tensioner over to the hydraulic unit on this 1992 motor? Should I stick with the spring loaded variant? Anyone have any insight to this?

What else should I replace while the motor is out? It has 124k miles on it.

Last edited by mtsumedi; Jul 23, 2006 at 09:54 AM.
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 10:02 AM
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change it to the hydraulic one..all you gotta do is swap the false waterpump pulley thingy that it mounts to
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by 95RunnerSR5
change it to the hydraulic one..all you gotta do is swap the false waterpump pulley thingy that it mounts to
So, basically, I should get a timing kit and water pump for a '93+ model?
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mtsumedi
So, basically, I should get a timing kit and water pump for a '93+ model?
Is this all I need to do? I need to prder these parts ASAP so I can get my truck back on the road.

Thanks,
Josh
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 12:53 PM
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From: Vancleave, Mississippi
just swap the tensioner from your 93 onto the 92 block...simple bolt on
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 95RunnerSR5
just swap the tensioner from your 93 onto the 92 block...simple bolt on
10-4. It is not anything that needs to be replaced due to use or age?
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 03:34 PM
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From: Vancleave, Mississippi
the only thing i could think of is get a new belt so you aren't back in there again soon, and check the pulley around the upper water inlet as they tend to go bad.
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 95RunnerSR5
the only thing i could think of is get a new belt so you aren't back in there again soon, and check the pulley around the upper water inlet as they tend to go bad.
Excellent, this will save me some cash. Thanks a lot. Who makes a good belt?
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 11:58 PM
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OEM is the way to go for the belts...
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Old Jul 27, 2006 | 06:21 AM
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Any chance you want to complete a write up with pictures. I am still trying to find out how to get the pulleys off without the SST's and without putting the breaker bar on the floor as I blip the starter - I am way too chicken for that. Does anyone know if they anyone sells SST's - I'm sure its cheaper than taking it to the Stealership? I am searching the web now. I know my tensioner is bad because it broke off and the upper pulley is making a tapping sound so it has to be changed. I am leaning towards parts dino or The import exports for the whole kit.
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Old Aug 16, 2006 | 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by 95RunnerSR5
just swap the tensioner from your 93 onto the 92 block...simple bolt on
Umm, you cannot do that without swapping the head. Your wrong advice has costed me some cash and lost time. Please do more research before you offer advice on topics you are unclear of.
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Old Aug 16, 2006 | 11:12 PM
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oh yeah you cannot use hydro on a 92... cause I got a '92! didn't see your post earlier and could of help you there.
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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 06:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Guardian_Saint
oh yeah you cannot use hydro on a 92... cause I got a '92! didn't see your post earlier and could of help you there.
I bought all parts for a 93+ 3VZ-E (water & oil pumps, upper and tensioner pulleys, and belt)

I know the tensioner pulley is worthless to me now, how about the other parts? They seem to match right up. Even the timing belts are the same size.
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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 07:55 AM
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mtsumedi, I PM'd you, hopefully I can help you out with some parts, so you don't loose too much money.
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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by BMWSTOY
mtsumedi, I PM'd you, hopefully I can help you out with some parts, so you don't loose too much money.
I replied and thanks.
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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by BMWSTOY
Any chance you want to complete a write up with pictures. I am still trying to find out how to get the pulleys off without the SST's and without putting the breaker bar on the floor as I blip the starter - I am way too chicken for that. Does anyone know if they anyone sells SST's - I'm sure its cheaper than taking it to the Stealership? I am searching the web now. I know my tensioner is bad because it broke off and the upper pulley is making a tapping sound so it has to be changed. I am leaning towards parts dino or The import exports for the whole kit.

dude you need to be more specific about what your talking about.

if your talking about busting the main crank pully loose i made a simple tool out of some angle iron to bolt to two of the nuts on the front pulley.

the upper pulley is tricky youll need to pull the fuel line off the drivers side rail in order to fit the socket down the top (or at least i had to)

see http://www.snjschmidt.com/timing_belt.html for pics.

the front 2 bolts can be taken off with a wiggler from the front.

as for useing the fan bracket between the 2 diffrent versions that depends. MOst of the aftermarket fan brackets dont have the casting for the hydrolic tentioner because it makes the casting more difficult.
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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 08:04 PM
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From: Peoria IL
advise for you "new commers"

Double check the advise you get.

you might also not the stickie on misinformation

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116/misinformation-81888/

ie, those that give advise, please make shure you know what your talking about and those takeing the advise, it would behoove you to double check it.

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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 01:19 PM
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Yeah, it is going now. I reused the old tensioner pulley and had to fabricate a hole on the water pump to put the pin in that the pulley rides on. Should see the road soon.

I hope.
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 01:36 PM
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btw the reason that didn't work was the head design changed in mid-92. The 5/92+ v6 used a Hydraulic tensioner, where the earlier style just used a bolt.

Looks like the engine you got was pre 5/92, so if you want to fix it without having to drill that hole next time, just buy 88-4/92 tensioner stuff and it will work on your 92 engine.
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by DeathCougar
btw the reason that didn't work was the head design changed in mid-92. The 5/92+ v6 used a Hydraulic tensioner, where the earlier style just used a bolt.

Looks like the engine you got was pre 5/92, so if you want to fix it without having to drill that hole next time, just buy 88-4/92 tensioner stuff and it will work on your 92 engine.
It's all good now. Had to do a couple of tricky things to get everything to fit but it all worked out. Motor will be dropped in within an hour or so.

This thing is going to be hell for the next owner if they have to replace any of this stuff.
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