99turd

Hello all. Really enjoying the knowledge around here. I spent a few years on another forum when I built an 85 runner but now im onto a tacoma project. Other day the truck made a loud noise and shut down. The number 3 spark plug is smashed on the tip so I am going to guess its the rod or bearing.

First question for you folks....can I just fix that cylinder in place by pulling the pan and. Head? I doubt it but figured I would ask lol,

I found a local motor with a t/c and at a great price. It just has not been fired up in over 4 years. Also not sure whats invloved with mating the t/c wiring?

Can get a used motor off ebay with around 150,000 for about 1300 bucks to my door. Seems like a good option but I dont know the history or how well the motor was taken care of.

I really want to rebuild it and without knowing the exact extent of what would need to be worked on by a machine shop cant figure an exact cost. Full rebuild kits vary so much from 400 to 1000. The minimum cleaning and testing from a machine shop with no replacement block or head will put the rebuild at around 1000 to start. My truck has 269,000 on it and I really dont know what step to take next.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, just trying to hash out my options.

Jeff

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I am thinking you had a valve break and drop into #3 cylinder unless there is more damage to other plugs

Like any engine problem you don`t know till it is torn down and checked.

Then you can`t buy the parts till all the machine work is done so you know the sizes you need.

Then any used engine most likely will need a new timing belt.

99turd

Interesting Wyoming9, I cant wait to take it apart and find the problem. I will surely post up what I find eventually. This motor will be rebuilt over time as it is gonna be an extra come Sunday. Driving 3 hours one way to snag a wrecked taco with a good motor I can fire up and here run. Plus I will get to steel other parts off of it as needed. For the price it will be a win win if it runs as good as the guy says. Will start getting some pictures when the work begins, sure I will have some questions for the pros around here.

Machine shop option is around 1500 for him to build the lower block for me with good cores. If my motor is a good core I will save it to rebuild later. Right now these motors are easy to find and swap around, that wont be the case 10 years from now . My first few yodas where the second gen body style and first gen runner. Now that I have a Tacoma I dont think I can go back to the oldschool ones. Guys act like they are gold now days, cant buy one with a blown head gasket for less then 1700 around me. Not worth the money anymore for me.

A pic of my taco and the only pic I can still find of my old 85 runner.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I must say i like the mid -eighties pick ups better then my 2000 Tacoma

I guess I just like the looks more.

Then I have a few parts trucks to keep in parts.

99turd

I guess mine is a looks thing as well. I loved my old trucks but always looked at the tacomas and wished I could get one. Now if you look hard enough you can find cheap tacos to make into trail rigs. I like the updated cab better too. Its all in the eye of the beholder, no wrong answer here.

Any advice or links around the web to swapping motors would be appreciated. The donor truck has an auto tranny while mine is a 5spd. Do I need to do anything to the donor motor to make this swap happen?

Texmax

car-part.com used motors by the dozens.