I should have known it, start looking into buying a newer vehicle (newer 3rd gen Runner with 4x4 and V6) and my current one goes kaput.

The short, blown head gasket, cracked cylinder head, dip in the deck of the engine block that is 4thousandths deep (out of spec).

The details are here: linky

I first posted there because on TTORA there are a lot more people that share my engine type.

Here are my options:

1) thermoweld in the dip and grind surface to uniform. new head and rebuild top end.

2) basically full rebuild with new block and heads. VERY VERY expensive.

3) Used engine off a donor.

I am leaning towards option #3 but with the used engine I can't get a good verification on the odometer. They do come tested but it could have 150k miles and be on its way out. I am thinking I just do that and if does die thats it and I am going to sell it for a few bucks and call it day. On the flip side, it could run for a very long time and not give me any problems.

So what is everyone's feeling? Mind you my truck blue books for maybe $4000 and someone could even argue with an Edmunds true market value check it is down to $2500. After all the repairs if I went to sell it I would probably just break even if that.

 

i would go 3, just search around junkyards around area.

Glad to see another 3rz 4runner. They arent bad at driving around.

 

Go with #3 for sure.

Much easier (and usually cheaper) to swap in and engine you know will run.