hi everyone....I just got a 95 4runner v6 with 202k miles on the engine and has a blown head gasket for $1000. I was wondering what would be cheaper. get a used engine from the junkyard (around $1200) or rebuilt the engine? I dont have that much experience as a mechanic but I am pretty decent at it.

 

If it was just a head gasket and motor still runs, pull the heads and replace the gasket. Rebuilding these is not fun

 

The 4runner was running ok. it didnt have power. white smoke coming out. I was told I could have a crack on the heads and it could expence to fix it if I just want to replace the head gaskets.....however I didnt see the milky color on the oil or radiator....

 

It depends on how well it was running. Did it sound like it had a miss, or a loud rumble to it? If you had white smoke but ran really well otherwise then your heads will most likely be fine. If the heads are cracked then buy another set of heads. I just sold a set for like $100 a pair. Much cheaper then a whole motor. As a matter of fact I usually have a set othem plus 3.0 stuff laying around if you need anything just yell. Still going to be much cheaper than a junk yard motor. If you buy one of them plan on about $1500 to go thur it as you don't know the condition of the bottom end.

 

Wheres the pics of said 4Runner?

 

Yeah, come to think of it, I want to see pics too. Don't be greedy show us some shots!!!

 

yeah I do it tomorrow, here is a video I put on youtube showing the engine running. here is the link to the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ22T...layer_embedded

 

ok during the weekend I decided to take the engine off and have the heads checked by my local machine shop...but look what I found.

 

and here some pics of the 4runner