I am currently rebuilding a 5VZ-FE. Following the FSM. I am pretty sure this is a common question but I assembled the new pistons with the casting mark on the rods and the dots on the pistons aligned as per manual. But I note that when I do exactly what the FSM says that will put one of the banks oil ports in the rods facing outwards not inwards? Is this just an error in the manual or an oversight that doesn't it matter? I note the manual says nothing about the orientation of the oil ports in the piston assembly at all?

 

That's a good observation but I don't know the answer. Please post up what you find. I know there are a few over on the IH8MUD forums that have rebuilt their 5VZ-FE so check over there or maybe some Tacoma or 4Runner forums as well. Good luck with your rebuild!

 

Took apart old motor yesterday. Took front piston from left and right banks. Dots on pistons forwards to front. Casting masks forwards. Nubs on the bottom of the caps forwards. Just like the manual says. This is exactly how I have assembled my new motor to.

Here they are facing forward from left and right banks exactly how they came out of the engine. This does mean the ports ( on the right hand piston of the following picture ) face outwards so I do believe this is as Toyota intended.




Analysis of what killed this otherwise healthy motor was that stupid PCV valve %$&%^! New motor will be getting a catch can. Whole top end of it is choked up :/