Notices
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

'96 3RZ-FE cracked head--looking for repair info

Old 07-31-2008, 05:56 PM
  #21  
Registered User
 
wslytoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 98
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Skrillah
Is there a set way tp tell if you need a valve job or do you just do it based on the age and mileage? Would there be a noise I would hear?

I'll have to look around and see what shops could do this for me.
You basically need to take the valve cover off and run a feeler gauge between the lifters and cam lobes(w/ a FSM) and check to see if they're w/in spec.
Old 07-31-2008, 10:26 PM
  #22  
Registered User
 
Nolan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Diego
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had my head crack on my 96 3rz with only 160k miles. The fatal flaw is the 4 valve design. As mentioned the metal is thin between the valves and is prone to cracking and that is exactly where mine cracked.

I was really screwed due to the fact that my engine has a cap and rotor distributor. I called around and verified that the heads from cap and rotor 3rz ARE different from the heads for a distributorless 3rz. Because you are limited to heads from only the older 3rz engines it really doesn't make any sense to pull a used set of heads that may crack 1 week or 6 months down the line. I ended it going with a brand new Toyota head. It did cost a pretty penny but as I see it the rest of the motor should be solid and ready for another 150k plus (knock on wood).
Old 08-01-2008, 09:15 AM
  #23  
Registered User
 
Skrillah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bloomington,Indiana
Posts: 844
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Nolan
I had my head crack on my 96 3rz with only 160k miles. The fatal flaw is the 4 valve design. As mentioned the metal is thin between the valves and is prone to cracking and that is exactly where mine cracked.

I was really screwed due to the fact that my engine has a cap and rotor distributor. I called around and verified that the heads from cap and rotor 3rz ARE different from the heads for a distributorless 3rz. Because you are limited to heads from only the older 3rz engines it really doesn't make any sense to pull a used set of heads that may crack 1 week or 6 months down the line. I ended it going with a brand new Toyota head. It did cost a pretty penny but as I see it the rest of the motor should be solid and ready for another 150k plus (knock on wood).
Damn man, that scares me a little bit.
Old 08-01-2008, 11:55 AM
  #24  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Northeastern Minnesota
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
well, I saw new aftermarket heads fully assembled with valves, cams, etc... for only $450-ish on eBay. So, my best bet is probably either to go with a used low mileage motor, or pull the block and make sure it is ok, and get one of these heads. Or, find someone parting out a truck/engine and get a used head.
Old 08-02-2008, 11:29 AM
  #25  
Registered User
 
wslytoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 98
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Optimus
well, I saw new aftermarket heads fully assembled with valves, cams, etc... for only $450-ish on eBay. So, my best bet is probably either to go with a used low mileage motor, or pull the block and make sure it is ok, and get one of these heads. Or, find someone parting out a truck/engine and get a used head.
man that sounds like a pretty good deal for a fully built head. Do you have a link for the auction(s)? Make sure they're not reground cams, b/c once you lose the baseline on a cam shaft, your power band changes and it's not the best option when it comes to cams. As far as pulling the block, man I'm willing to bet you money that your block is fine. My 96' Tacoma 3RZ oil pump shut down and the pistons scored the cylinder walls, but all the machine shop had to do was bored it .030 over to get it back in shape. You could probably get a machine shop to re-work your block for around $150. Your biggest cost is going to be the cylinder head & rebuild kit.
Old 04-14-2015, 05:13 PM
  #26  
Registered User
 
scootn2nature's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
[QUOTE=wslytoy;50886761. If it does break, you'll be fine. The 2RZ, 3RZ, & 5VZ are all non-interfernce engines. Your valves will not make contact w/ the pistons if the chain/belt ever broke in one of these engines.[/QUOTE]

the 3rzfe motor IS AN INTERFERENCE MOTOR
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JustMike
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
11
04-21-2016 07:08 PM
Tennesseestorm
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
11
09-12-2015 01:37 AM
hollypots
North Carolina
13
08-31-2015 04:08 PM
Higbee89
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
26
08-27-2015 06:52 AM
A2theK
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
5
07-12-2015 10:46 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: '96 3RZ-FE cracked head--looking for repair info



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:42 PM.